Description
Author: Mick Walker, Softbound, 261 Pages, ISBN: 9781855209350, - 2012 Brooklands / Redline Books Reprint
An authorised reprint of the late Mick Walker's 2004 Classic.
Before the first Gold Star arrived in the late 1930s, BSA had been known for sound, reliable, value-for-money, but hardly sporting bikes. The 'Goldie' changed all that, right from its successful debut at Brooklands in June 1937, the new high performance overhead-valve single set the pace. The first production all-alloy M24 500cc model arrived for the 1938 season and was much sought after, offering as it did, class-leading performance.
Postwar the new 350cc B32 appeared, followed by the larger B34. Development saw plunger and finally swinging arm frames, whilst the engines progressed from small to big fin types, with the ulitmate DBD34 arriving during the late 1950s. Production finally ceased in 1962.
What made the Gold Star so successful was its ability to perform in virtually every field - a feat never matched soconvincingly by any other model. Whether it be as a
roadster - in both touring and sporting guise - clubmans or endurance racing, scrambles (moto-cross), trials, sprinting or the International Six Days Trial, the legendary Goldie performed with distinction. Not only that, but a whole generation of postwar youth saw the Gold Star as the cafe racer supreme, featuring such icons as the RRT2 gearbox, Amal GP carburettor and 190mm front brake.
The Gold Star has been out of production for over 40 years,but it lives on, a tribute to the bike itself and to its dedicated and enthusiatic owners.
