1956 BSA 499cc Gold Star Clubman
Frame no. CB322892 Engine no. DB34GS354

Collectors' Motorcycles at the Barber Museum|5 October 2019, 12:00 CDT|Birmingham, Barber Motorsports Museum

1956 BSA 499cc Gold Star Clubman
Frame no. CB322892
Engine no. DB34GS354

BSA reputation finds its origins in the late 1930s with the Empire Star and Wal Hendley at the handlebar. At a 3-lap race in Brooklands, Wal managed to take his bike to an astonishing 107.5mph and was therefore attributed a "Gold Star" pin. Proud of this, BSA decided to name their top of the line bike that way; the Gold Star was born. With a lightweight frame, alloy engine and Electron gearbox, the first Gold Star version, the BSA M24 started to be produced until the war got in its way, and only about 500 bikes were got out of the factory.
In 1948, the Gold Star production was restarted with hand built, fully customizable engines. The 350cc bikes were called B32 and 499cc bikes B34. On top of having engines made following customers' preferences, the Gold Star was sold in different version from Touring to Racing. All along the 1950s, the bike's components were upgraded, including engine and frame.
The model we have on sale here is a 1956 Clubman version of the Gold Star. After the engine was rebuilt in 1983, most of the work on the bike was done in the mid-2000s, notably with a rebuilt transmission, and a new paint on both the frame and the tank. Hardware and fenders were replaced with NOS and a new wiring harness was installed along with new switches. All the receipts will be delivered to the buyer following the sale.

Footnotes

As with all Lots in the Sale, this Lot is sold 'as is/where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding.

Additional information

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