Gold Star BSA to be auctioned – and could be yours for under £10K
Pristine condition – roll back the years with this legendary 1961 motorcycle
H&H
“The Clubman’s model Gold Star has been developed for competitions in road and short circuit events, and its specification is such that it is neither intended nor suitable for road use as a touring motor cycle.” So said the catalogue for 1961’s BSA DBD34 Gold Star, the seventh and final iteration of the legendary single-cylinder machine first developed after racer Wal Handley was awarded a Brooklands Gold Star for lapping at more than 100mph in 1937 aboard one of the marque’s Empire Stars.
Original buff logbook is still with the bike
H&H
Single cylinder ‘thumper’ engine of 499cc could produce up to 42bhp
H&H
The manufacturer’s warning about the unsuitability of its ‘Goldie’ for the road didn’t prevent one Fred Allinson of Groby, Leicestershire from buying this one, complete with de rigueur clip-on handlebars, imposing Lucas headlamp and a brace of Smiths Chronometric instruments.
Five years earlier, in 1956, Bernard Codd had sealed the Gold Star’s place in motorcycle racing history by winning both the senior and junior Clubman TT races, covering the Isle of Man circuit at an average best of 86.33mph. Not bad for a basic 500cc pushrod engine that, in its most wildly tuned form, produced only around 42bhp – but which could still send a well-sorted Goldie to 60mph in first gear.
Mikuni carburettor replaces original Amal – but latter included in sale
H&H
Smiths speedo uses a clockwork mechanism to tick-up speed at intervals of three-quarters of a second
H&H
This example never strayed far from its original home, ending up with successful 1970s and ’80s TT and scrambles rider Dave Hallam, the owner of Leicester’s Supreme Motorcycles, who restored it to its current pristine condition.
According to H&H, it has been out of use since Hallam’s death in 2021 and will need “some recommissioning” – after which it should just be a case of adding petrol.
And an extremely strong right leg…
Clip-on handlebars were fitted for speed, not comfort
H&H
Drum brakes front and rear are not for the faint-hearted
1961 BSA DBD34 clubman Gold Star
On sale with H&H, Solihull, Birmingham, March 25. Estimate: £7500-£8500. handh.co.uk