1957 BSA Gold Star CB 32, 350cc. Registration number 343 UYK...

Hammer

£6,000

1957 BSA Gold Star CB 32, 350cc. Registration number 343 UYK (non transferrable). Frame number CB32 508. Engine number BB32 GS 1026

In 1937, a specially prepared Empire Star 500 ridden by the great Wal Handley achieved a 100mph lap of the Brooklands track on its way to a debut race victory and an award of the Gold Star that would give BSA's new super sports model its evocative name. Possibly the most successful production four-stroke single racing motorcycle ever, the post-war Gold Star formed the mainstay of clubman's racing in the 1950s. In fact, it was the model's domination of the Isle of Man Clubman's TT which led to the event being dropped after Gold Star rider Bernard Codd's 1956 Senior/Junior double victory. Post-WW2, the Gold Star did not return to the BSA range until 1949. First displayed at the Earls Court Show in 1948, the B32 350cc Goldie boasted the telescopic front fork first introduced on BSAs larger models for 1946 and came equipped with a new alloy cylinder barrel and cylinder head. For 1950 a 500cc version – the B34 – was added to the range, and this larger Goldie was the first to switch to the new die-cast top-end, with separate rocker box, in 1951. The 350 followed suit in 1952 and the pair continued as the "BB'" Gold Stars after the new swinging arm frame was introduced in 1953.

UYK was issued with an age related registration in February 2015 supported by a dating certificate from North Leicester Motorcycles. Both the frame and engine numbers coming from that years numbers. In the 1970’s/80’s the bike was raced by Mr Ashley Brooks of Lincolnshire, but no other history is known for the bike. A period one sided 8” front brake is fitted and the forks benefit from a Taylordow Superleggera top yoke and double damping rods. The engine has a new big end, mains, 10:1 compression piston and MK1 Amal Concentric carb, all mated to a believed reconditioned RRT2 close ratio gearbox.

Sold with V5C and dating certificate.