BSA 1956 DBD34GS Gold Star 499cc 1 cyl OHV 3611

BSA 1956 DBD34GS “Gold Star” 499cc OHV frame # CB32.4989 engine # DBD34.GS.4333

video: https://youtu.be/M5NuS0a6iR0

The Gold Star name was derived from the award won on 30th June 1937 by the great Wall Handley who achieved a 100mph lap of the Brooklands circuit on a specially prepared 500cc Empire Star model. The super sports Gold Star model would become one of the most successful production racing motorcycles ever and the post-war Gold Star formed the mainstay of clubman’s racing in the 1950s.
The Gold Star returned in BSA’s post-WW2 range at the end of 1948 as a 350cc model with bore x stroke of 71x88mm. For 1950 a 500cc version – the B34 – with 85x88mm bore x stroke was added and this larger Goldie was the first to switch to the new die-cast top-end, with separate rocker box, in 1951.
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 Clubmans TT and this cycle of engine redesign and immediate success was repeated the following year with the DB series. The Senior TT was won by Eddie Dow who later went into business as Britain’s Gold Star Specialists providing a wide range of custom accessories.
The excellently restored machine we offer has been rebuilt some 25 years ago by the late Len Haggis, well-known Gold Star specialist, restorer and authority. The engine dates from 1959. The machine was purchased by an Englishman who emigrated to the south of France. Because of the somewhat fierce nature of the Gold Star she was hardly used, but various improvements and modifications were carried out, such as the fitting of a Pearson electric starter and clutch; the starter motor has been cleverly placed underneath and is hardly visible. Rims and spokes were replaced by Akront products with stainless steel spokes and the steering head got tapered steel bearings. Day-to-day usability of the machine was improved by the fitting of a Mikuni carb; this results in much better starting, better idling and smoother power delivery. Due to his advancing age the owner kept the bike inhouse for more than 20 years and covered only 185 miles all this time. In 2022 she came to The Netherlands. The new keeper replaced the fork legs and fitted Eddy Dow type double damping rods that provide rebound damping which is not present on the original forks. He used the machine sparsely and is very positive about her riding qualities but thinks it’s time to let her go to a younger enthousiast.
This fine Gold Star comes with current Dutch registration and old British logbook that shows she was first registered as XDH237 in Walsall on April 4, 1956. The 120 mph Smiths speedo now shows 343 miles on the odometer.