1957 BSA Gold Star

Lot details
Registration No: Un-Reg
Frame No: BB32R418
Engine No: DBD34GS2183
cc: 500
MOT Expiry Date: None

The culmination of development for the Gold Star was the DBD series. Only ever built as a 500, the new version was introduced for the 1956 season, initially being offered in parallel with the DB range, although by 1957 the DB's had been dropped from the range, the 500 version permanently, the 350 temporarily, returning to the range in 1959.
In virtually all respects the new 500 was the same as its predecessor, the major difference between the two being the cylinder head, which had been revised, thus allowing the use of a 1 ½ inch Amal GP.
Like its predecessors the DBD 34 was offered in trials, scrambles, road, racing and Clubman's form and was supported by an extensive range of optional parts.
A number of machines were built equipped with a rigid frame, coded BB32R, originally built as a trials frame but in the later, DBD, application intended for use on the American flat tracks where the regulations restricted over head valve machines to a maximum displacement of 500cc, a regulation intended to maintain a parity between the British imports and the sidevalve Harley Davidson's.
The machine offered, which was purchased by the vendor in Las Vegas during 2009, displays a frame number consistent with having originally been a rigid frame, although it is now fitted with a pivoted fork frame. Research suggests that engine number DBD34GS2183 was installed in a rigid framed machine (although not frame number BB32R418) supplied to the US east coast BSA importer, BSA Inc., on the 17th July 1956, as part of a batch of machines destined for the States and Canada. It is attractively presented with green and cream paintwork, a handle bar fairing, racing seat and fuel tank, alloy mudguards, central oil tank, clip - ons, rear - sets and alloy rims. Later front forks equipped with a brace grace the front end of the motorcycle which has not been used since returning to the United Kingdom.