1959 BSA Gold Star, Clubmans Trim, 500 cc. Registration numb...

Hammer

£13,500

1959 BSA Gold Star, Clubmans Trim, 500 cc. Registration number 322 KPD (non transferrable). Frame number CB32 8354. Engine number DBD34 GS 4199. Gearbox RRT2.
To start the Goldie story, we go back to 1937, when Wal Handley came out of retirement to ride a three-lap race for BSA at Brooklands. Winning the race, with the fastest lap of 107.5mph, Wal earned himself the Gold Star (awarded for race laps in excess of 100mph) and with it launched the Gold Star marque. The following year saw the first of the production Gold Stars, the M24, complete with the trademark alloy barrel and cylinder head. The engines were built from individually selected parts and bench tested, a practice that was to remain throughout its life. The machine, an instant 'good-looker' and a bargain at £82, was capable of 90mph performance though possibly without the handling to match, and pre-war production was restricted to under 500 machines. Post war, BSA launched the ZB32 in 1948 at a price of £211. In order to satisfy the eligibility requirements for the Clubman's TT, over 100 machines were produced, 21 of which were entered into the 1949 350cc junior race, a race to be dominated by Gold Stars for the next eight years. The 350cc model was followed by the 500cc ZB34.
1953 saw the introduction of the BB series (BB32-350cc/BB34-500cc) with new duplex cradle frame and swinging arm rear suspension. These were followed in 1954 by the CB series with engine changes aimed primarily at the road racers. Immediate success was achieved in the Clubman's TT and this cycle of engine redesign and immediate success was repeated the following year with the DB series. Towards the end the Gold Star was only offered in scrambles or Clubman's trim. In 1963 Lucas ceased to produce the magneto used in the B series, which was a prime reason that BSA and Triumph reconfigured their pre-unit-construction parallel twins into engines with integral gearboxes, simultaneously converting the ignition system from magneto to battery and coil. The Gold Star was not considered for progression to unit-construction, and instead the 250cc BSA C15 was developed (via the B40) into the 500cc B50.
This example was dispatched from the factory on Tally number 1715 in Clubman trim to Commerfords of Thames Ditton as Consignment Note 3395 on the 24th April 1959. They sold it to A. Labrum of Balham, London on the 11th May, for £305.13.4. After this its life is unknown until Peter Sargent of Southampton registered it with DVLA in November 1985 and obtained an age related number CSV 495.
In July 2001 he contacted the Owners Club to start proceedings to regain the original number, 332 KPD, which happened in the October. In 2014 he sold it, via D.R. Classic Motorcycles of Burton on Trent to Michael Bell of Rossett and our vendor bought it from him, via Venture Classics of Herefordshire in March 2015.
In the December he had the engine rebuilt by John Cronshaw with an Omega forged piston and an electronic magneto at a cost of £1,711, the carb was also changed to a Mikuni VM36 (the original Amal is included in the sale). It runs on period correct Dunlop alloy rims.
Little used since due to his worsening hip problems, he asked a friend to ride it from his home in Tadcaster to the saleroom in Driffield.
This very well sorted BDB34 is offered for sale with the V5C, V5, Gold Star Owners Club letters, copy of Commerfords register, receipts for the purchase by the last two owners, receipts for works undertaken. We can highly recommend this machine.