Beschreibung:

On Wednesday 30th June 1937, a specially prepared Empire Star 500 ridden by the great Wal Handley achieved a 100mph lap of the Brooklands circuit on its way to a debut race victory and award of the 'Gold Star' that would give BSA's new super sports model its evocative name. Possibly the most successful production 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. While its trials and scrambles derivatives demonstrated the design's versatility by chalking up an equally impressive record in off-road competition, for the majority of enthusiasts the 500cc DBD34 in Clubman's trim is the epitome of the 'Goldie'. The DBD, the ultimate road-going 500 Gold Star, appeared in 1956 when the famous RRT2 close-ratio gearbox and 190mm front brake became standard equipment. From then on BSA's perennially popular sporting single changed little until its much-lamented demise in 1963. Today, the Gold Star remains one of the most highly sought after of post-war British motorcycles and is supported by a most enthusiastic owners' club. This restored example was purchased by the current vendor from respected marque specialist, Len Haggis in August 2001 and comes with the bill of sale. A total of just 49 miles (presumably the distance travelled since restoration) is displayed on the odometer and the machine is presented in commensurately good condition. 'VSL 242' has been displayed at various events, most recently at The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show, Stafford in October 2009. Offered from a private collection, it will require re-commissioning and the usual safety checks before returning to the road. The machine is offered with copies of old registration documents, expired MoT (June 2002) Swansea V5C and BSA Gold Star Owners Club dating certificate.