Category: BSA

BSA

Unrestored Beeza: 1969 BSA 650 Lightning for Sale

1969 BSA Lightning R Side

Designed as BSA’s versatile all-rounder, the A65 Lightning had twin-carbs compared to the Thunderbolt’s single-carb set up for improved performance at high rpm. It was considered the more conservative choice when compared to the competing Triumph Bonneville, although the flashy chrome tank panels look pretty striking today. Even though BSA and Triumph were technically owned by the same parent company by this point, clear attempts were made to create distinct brand identities for the Lightning and Bonneville, with a more “reliable” image for BSA, though such things are relative…

1969 BSA Lightning L Front Lamp

With similar displacements, power and performance were closely matched: the undersquare Triumph motor was a bit more torquey than the slightly oversquare BSA and both were OHV engines with the BSA featuring more modern “unit” construction behind those distinctive egg-shaped cases. Period riders often slotted the Triumph’s more easily-tuned engine into the lightweight, rigid BSA frame to create the TriBSA, a bike in the spirit of the more well-known Triton.

1969 BSA Lightning L Side Tank

The BSA’s 654cc twin put 52hp through a four-speed gearbox and was good for 108mph. Unfortunately, although the oversquare BSA was revvier, it was still a big parallel twin and using the higher revs broke bulb filaments with irritating regularity when chasing that power.

From the original eBay listing: 1969 BSA 650 Lightning for Sale

I am offering for sale this original and unrestored 1969 BSA 650 Lightning.  I received the bike in non running condition, with a 12 inch over extended front end, after market head light and brackets and one shorty muffler. The engine turned over with weak compression , but smoothly. The odometer indicated just over 2000 miles, and it`s last state inspection sticker was from 1974. The tires were original Dunlop `Made in England ` K70`s and the wheels were badly rusted on the bottom side from having been buried in earth. the bike had been in a barn, but apparently with a wet muddy floor. I proceeded to disassemble most of the bike , with the intent of leaving it as original as I could. I replaced the wheels with other ones from my stock, and cleaned and greased the wheel bearings. There is an almost new Asian K70 replica tire on the rear, and an original K70 on the front with good tread but has some sidewall checking. I sourced an original 1969 BSA front end with all correct components from my inventory, disassembled and cleaned it thoroughly and reassembled with new seals and all good component parts. I cleaned and polished all of the chrome parts to the best of my ability, and rubbed out the original vintage custom paint, which had apparently been done when the bike was still fairly new. I removed the top end, and found the rings to be stuck in the ring lands, and some rust in a couple of valve seats causing the low compression. The bottom end was clean and tight and still wet with oil from 1974 so decided not to disassemble it. I removed and thoroughly cleaned the pistons, and replaced them with new Hastings rings, honed the cylinders, replaced all gaskets, and removed, reseated and replaced the valves. Everything looked good. crankshaft end play is minimal and timing side bush shows minimal wear.(.002 clearance measured with a feeler gauge.) I also removed, cleaned thoroughly and replaced the oil pump, entire transmission, and primary drive and clutch assembly. I installed a very nice set of vintage Bates cocktail shaker megs with no baffles. They have a very pleasing exhaust note, but not annoyingly loud.

The end result is a bike which starts right up on one or two kicks, runs strong and smoothly, has good clutch action and shifts cleanly through all of the gears, does not smoke, and leakage is very minimal. (chain oiler drips as it should). It is clean and looks presentable, but surely no show bike or trailer queen. It has it`s fair share of ‘patina’ which is the cool way of saying worn chrome and paint, but is well sorted mechanically and electrically. I have no way of knowing if the odometer mileage is correct, although the bike appeared to have low miles. 

1969 BSA Lightning R Side Engine

There’s plenty of pitting and mild corrosion as described, but all that could be repaired if the new owner desired and the bike would work well as a rolling-restoration, since the issues are all cosmetic: as can be seen from the video, the bike starts and runs well, with a nice British twin snarl. There are no bids yet with plenty of time left on the auction, so I’ve no idea if this bike is realistically priced, but this looks like a very nice, rideable example of a late 60’s British icon.

-tad

1969 BSA Lightning R Side Front

BSA

Brooklands Bomber: 1960 BSA Gold Star for Sale

1960 BSA Gold Star R Front

In the past twenty years, we’ve gotten so used to artificially-condensed product life cycles that it’s easy to forget how durable modern machines can be. That’s one of the things that makes vintage bikes so popular: manufacturing and technology didn’t really allow for things to be as reliable as they are today, but they were built to last, and to be owned and maintained by normal people. Just look at the BSA Gold Star: built between 1938 and 1963, it had a life span that would make a Yamaha R6 blush.

1960 BSA Gold Star L Rear

Simple, reliable, and powerful, the 500cc overhead-valve single weighed under 400lbs dry and put power through a four-speed gearbox. Named for the award given to bikes that could lap the famous Brooklands circuit at over 100mph. A smaller, 350cc version was also built and both were campaigned in both on and offroad competition.

1960 BSA Gold Star R Engine

Today’s Gold Star is obviously from later in the production run, but not much changed between the 1950 and 1960 models.

From the original eBay listing: 1960 BSA Gold Star for Sale

BSA Gold Star 1960 very original and clean has been stored for years and cannot verify mileage but I would not be surprised if it is the correct mileage. Starts second kick cold and first kick warm very quiet engine no smoke sounds very tight. the front fender has some peeling chrome and the horn is missing. Pick up from Prescott AZ will help with loading if commercial carrier is used. The motorcycle is super clean and I hate to part with it as it will be very difficult to replace.

1960 BSA Gold Star R Rear

As the seller indicates, the chrome on the front fender is peeling pretty badly, but this is otherwise a very nice example. While modern instruments may be very functional, accurate, and reliable, but those Smiths clocks are works of art! And that chrome and blue tank is a combination I can’t remember seeing and is very classy.

-tad

1960 BSA Gold Star Clocks

BSA / Rickman

Baby Blue Triple: 1974 Rickman CR BSA A75

1974 Rickman BSA R Front

We don’t normally like to post up unfinished bikes here on CSBFS, but this 1974 Rickman CR BSA A75 is rare enough that it’s worth a second look, and complete enough that I expect many of our readers wouldn’t be put off by the work needed to turn this into a stunning, and very rare British sport bike. Rickman’s of all stripes are relatively rare, and this baby blue machine looks like it will be stunning once finished. In the 1960’s and 1970’s, even major manufacturers were still experimenting with what characteristics made motorcycles handle well, and many production bikes left something to be desired in terms of roadholding, especially when riders started to really push them on track.

1974 Rickman BSA L Rear

Enter Rickman, a typical British “based out of a shed” outfit that stressed the effectiveness of their bikes over pedigree. They sold incomplete frame, suspension, and bodywork kits that could be completed by individuals at home or by shops that supplied engines, transmissions, wheels, and electrics. Early on, they often used British twins, but many bikes that show up on eBay are powered by Japanese four cylinders like the CB750.

1974 Rickman BSA R Rear

This one “keeps it in the family” and is powered by a BSA A75 three cylinder, a package very similar to the one found in the Triumph Trident we featured recently. Designed to allow BSA and Triumph to compete with the CB750, the 740cc overhead-valve triple used pushrods and a four-speed box at first, although a five speed was later added and should be the transmission in this bike. While the architecture of the new triple was primitive, compared to the CB750 against which it was competing, the engine was no slouch, producing a claimed 58hp that made the bike good for a 120mph top speed and was much smoother than the twin on which it was based, while offering plenty of character.

1974 Rickman BSA Dash

According to the seller, this might be the only BSA triple-powered Rickman in existence, although the kit-nature of Rickmans makes this very hard to verify. Suffice to say, it’s pretty unusual. While the bodywork might look fine as-is with a bit of patina, that nickel-plated frame needs some elbow grease to return to its former glory.

From the original eBay listing: 1974 Rickman CR BSA A75 for Sale

Very rare Rickman BSA Triple CR road racer, built in limited numbers.  This bike was brought back from the UK by an Air Force Captain in 1976, but was actually built in 1974.  Believed to be a set of service cases ordered and built for the chassis.  I really wanted to restore the bike but do not think I will ever find the time so it’s time to pass it along to someone who can.

The bike is mostly complete as shown, But there will be some minor parts missing. What you see is what i have for the bike. I have started to disassemble the bike and have tried polishing the Nickel frame in a few spots and it comes up with a great shine, but wonderful patina, very easily.  I have the swing arm professionally polished to see how good a pro could get it and as you can see, it looks great!  The fiberglass is in good condition, especially for it’s age. but there are a couple of spots that need minor repair.  I did buy a NOS seat in the correct color that is included.  I believe the mileage is genuine as the tires on the bike were date code 1974 and had very little wear.  Borrani rims are straight and in very nice condition.  I have a few sundry new parts for it including a rear master cylinder rebuild kit which had to be bought from the UK.

Very rare and cool project for someone.  The Rickman book shows this bike delivered to Rivetts of London Ltd. in Leytonstone.  I used to visit this shop on a regular basis in this period so really feel a connection.  All the research I have done has not shown another Rickman CR built with a BSA A75 engine so it may just be that this is a 1 of 1 bike.

Sold as is for restoration.  Has a clean Missouri title.  I have many more pictures that can be sent on request. 

1974 Rickman BSA L Side

According to later updates on the listing, the seller has gotten some flack, claiming that the bike is not original. The whole point of these Rickman bikes was their mix-and-match nature built around customer preferences: based around a new frame that offered improved stiffness and high-spec suspension for tighter handling, the rest of the bike was very “kit-bike” mix-and-match, back before “kit” became a dirty word associated with Fiero-based Lamborghinis and oddly-proportioned “Cobras.” Rickman themselves even poked fun at this with their Metisse, which is French for “mongrel.”

There’s just one day left on the auction and bidding is up a bit north of $6,000, although the Reserve Has Not Yet Been Met. With luck, this bike will find a good home and will soon be returned to its former glory.

-tad

1974 Rickman BSA R Front

BSA

Numbers-Matching Twin: 1966 BSA Lightning for Sale

1966 BSA Lightning R Front

Intended as the all-rounder in BSA’s mid-60’s range, the A65 Lightning was sportier than the Thunderbolt and more comfortable than the Spitfire. A natural competitor for Triumph’s Bonneville, owing to similar specification and performance, the Lightning was powered by a 654cc, OHV parallel-twin that put 52hp through a four-speed gearbox and could reach a claimed 112mph.

1966 BSA Lightning Tank

Slightly oversquare dimensions gave the engine a more enthusiastic quality than competing machines from Triumph, but parallel twins are inherently unbalanced and BSA’s engine shook more than most: in an era before balance shafts and other mechanical trickery, severe vibration in the upper rev range would see you breaking headlight filaments with cartoonish regularity.

1966 BSA Lightning Engine Detail

Interestingly, although the distinctive chrome-plating on the tank is very evocative and striking today, BSA’s image at the time was more “reliable and conservative” than rival Triumph.

1966 BSA Lightning Clocks

From the original eBay listing: 1966 BSA Lightning for Sale

Meticulous Ground-Up Restoration by BSA Enthusiast, Thousands in Receipts, New Everything, One Owner 1966-2012, 2500 Original Miles, Matching Numbers

This 66 BSA Lightning is a two owner bike with 2500 original miles. It was ground-up restored over the last three years by a very detail-oriented BSA enthusiast, who bought the bike from the original owner in 2012. The original owner lived in Sleepy Hollow, NY and bought the bike brand new from the dealership on Main Street in sleepy hollow in 1966. He rode it sparingly, lost interest, and stored it in his house until 2012. As a result, the previous owner told me the bike only had 2500 miles on it when he purchased it.

When the previous owner got it, he assessed the bike, started ordering parts, and completely disassembling it down to the frame (pics below.) Since the bike was so original, the idea was to completely rebuild all the mechanicals, while leaving as much of the cosmetics original as possible. The frame did not need to be repainted, so it was left “stove black” with its original paint from the factory. The seat and tank and sidecovers are all original and are in great condition and display a nice even light patina.

The motor was sent out and fully and professionally rebuilt.
The bike was fitted with Mikunis and a Boyer MK4 ignition.
The suspension was completely rebuilt, as well as the wheel bearings, and he added a tapered steering head bearing.
The bike was fitted with new tires, new battery, new fuel taps, it has all new cables, and the tank was sealed.
I have thousands of dollars in receipts for all the work done, as pictured.

The bike was set up to ride, so everything was hit with blue loctite. The stock handlebars were kept, since they are so comfortable to ride with and make the bike easy to wheel around the garage. The bike starts up easily from dead cold on one or two kicks. Remarkably, it doesn’t even leak any oil (and yes, there’s oil in it.)

All the electrics function properly. Because of the new tires and freshly rebuilt suspension, the bike is the best riding Lightning we’ve had. It feels very tight going down the road, loves to corner, and exhibits very little vibration. The new owner put just over 500 indicated miles on the bike since the rebuild and told me he wouldn’t hesitate to ride the bike anywhere. We’ve sold 5 Lightnings in the last year and this one is the most impressive.

With this bike you get excellent preservation-class cosmetics with the security of thousands in receipts that come with the bike that show a total overhaul. The previous owner was very particular about the bike and any conversation I had with him about it seemed to last at least half an hour or more while he went over all the minute technical details of the restoration.

The bike comes with a perfectly preserved original 1966 BSA owner’s manual. It is matching numbers.

1966 BSA Lightning Seat

Take a look at the particularly nice video of the bike riding around its current home in Brooklyn, NY: you can really hear that classic twin snarl.

There are “survivors” with tons of originality and patina. But something like this, a ground-up restoration by experts with minor updates to improve reliability and function is more in line with what I would want in a dream bike. And the bike doesn’t appear to have been “over-restored”: some bits still in excellent condition were even left with their original paint to give the bike a bit of a lived-in feel.

I don’t follow the prices on these, so I wouldn’t hazard a guess as to where that reserve is set. But it’s obvious that, if you’re looking for a really nice Lightning to own and cherish and ride, this is one to watch.

-tad

1966 BSA Lightning L Side

BSA

Brooklands Bomber: 1954 BSA Gold Star for Sale

1954 BSA Gold Star R Front

Built between 1938 and 1963, the BSA Gold Star is the classic British single and one of the most desirable classic sportbikes of all time. Displacing approximately 500cc, the alloy OHV-powered single weighed 380 lbs dry and featured a 4-speed gearbox. The “Gold Star” name commemorates a BSA that lapped the famous Brooklands racing circuit at over 100mph and was awarded the gold star pin to commemorate the achievement, although that original machine was a racing special running on alcohol with a 13:1 compression-ratio that might have made daily use a bit of a chore…

1954 BSA Gold Star L Rear

The first road bike to wear the Gold Star name displaced 496cc and was built up until the outbreak of World War II. Postwar, BSA introduced a 348cc version of the Gold Star, and this lightweight, basically hand-built hot rod was successful in a number of different competition classes, including both on-road and offroad racing. A 500cc version was reintroduced in 1950 and built alongside the 350 until 1956, when the 350 was discontinued.

1954 BSA Gold Star Clocks

This Gold Star features the optional “CB” engine with a slightly different appearance but, more importantly, reinforced internals for increased performance. This exact bike dyno’d at 38.2 bhp when new: Gold Stars were tested at the factory before being delivered to verify performance of each machine.

The seller includes quite a bit of history, along with maintenance and restoration history. From the original eBay listing: 1954 BSA Gold Star for Sale

History: Included documentation as provided by the Gold Star Owners Club, Great Britain Registrar shows that this bike dispatched to Hap Alzina, USA in Clubman trim on 4 December 1954 with engine number CB34GS308 and frame number CB32 1694.  A copy of the original factory Engine Brake Test is also supplied and shows this bike was tested in clubman configuration and produced a maximum B.H.P. of 38.2 at 6500 rpm fitted with a GP carb on Oct 21, 1954.

Also included in the auction is the original Lucas Mag/Dyno with new points installed.  There is nothing wrong with this mag/dyno.  I ran the bike with the Lucas installed for approximately 300 miles before installing the BTH.  I installed the BTH because I wanted the ability to set timing and forget about it and the advance curve.  I ran a BTH in my Velocette and loved it.  Note that the tag (see pics) on the BTH indicates Lucas.  BTH Components goes out of their way to retain authenticity in appearance.  The BTH is solid state and makes starting a breeze and allows the bike to idle nicely with the monobloc installed.  The TT carb is a racing carb and does not have an idle adj/stop screw, however, when up to running temp the bike does idle nicely with the TT.  There is also an original BSA tool kit included.  I did not take pics of the tool kit but can do upon request.

I installed the Nova Racing gear cluster because I was unhappy with the ratios of the original scrambler box in the rolling hills here in Northern California.  It doesn’t get any sweeter than a Nova 5 spd.  The clutch plates are near new with very little use.  I have put less than 1500 miles on the bike since installing the TT carb, Nova 5 spd, and BTH mag. 

This is essentially a new CB34 Gold Star with original engine and frame numbers as shipped from the factory in 1954.  The bike has been well cared for and is in pristine condition.  The title is clear and in my name.  It is registered in the state of California and expires in Feb this year.  I will most likely non-op the bike if it does not sell before Feb 16 as I am unable to ride it due to health issues. 

1954 BSA Gold Star L Front

Bidding is up to $15,000 with several days left on the auction. Gold Stars have held their value very well, and this one looks to be in nearly perfect condition with very desirable upgrades. They’re always in demand: if you’re a fan of classic British iron, you probably lust after a Gold Star… They embody everything people love about classic bikes: they’re fun, characterful, and involving. Parts are available to keep them running and they sound the part, with enough performance to make a weekend ride rewarding.

-tad

1954 BSA Gold Star R Side

BSA

1976 Rickman BSA Rocket 3

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I want to apologize for the poor quality of pictures, but this 1976 Rickman BSA Rocket 3 is such a great project I wanted to share it. As regular readers will know, Rickman was a frame company that produced great frames to overcome any shortcoming of larger manufactures frames. Think your BSA frame was a little springy for its 750cc triple? Give Rickman a call.

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From the seller

VERY RARE RICKMAN BSA TRIPLE CR ROAD RACER, BUILT IN LIMITED NUMBERS.  THIS BIKE WAS BROUGHT BACK FROM THE UK BY AN AIRFORCE CAPTAIN IN 1976 AND IS TITLED AS 76 BUT WAS ACTUALLY BUILT IN 1974.

TITLED BY THE ENGINE NUMBER A75R 001 SERV, BELIVED TO BE A SET OF SERVICE CASES ORDERED AND BUILT FOR THE CHASSIS.  IVE ALWAYS WANTED TO RESTORE THE BIKE BUT DO NOT THINK I WILL EVER FIND THE TIME SO ILL PASS IT ALONG.

THE BIKE IS MOSTLY COMPLETE AS SHOWN, THE ENGINE WAS OUT WHEN I BOUGHT IT SO IVE SET IN IT THE CHASSIS IN THE INTEREST OF KEEPING EVERYTHING TOGETHER. WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT I HAVE FOR THE BIKE.

VERY RARE AND COOL PROJECT FOR SOMEONE.  THE RICKMAN BOOK SHOWS THIS BIKE DELIVERED TO RIVETTS? IM NOT SURE WHAT THAT IS MAYBE A SHOP IN THE UK

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By the time the British industry had produced a Triple for the public, the world had already seen the world changing CB750. So when the combined company of BSA/Triumph finally got their triple to market, instead of game changing, it became an also ran. The 741cc engine offered by both Triumph, as the Trident, and BSA as the Rocket 3 generated 58hp at 7500rpm. This was good for a top speed of 120mph. Not bad for an extra cylinder grafted onto and engine design from 1939.

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This 1976 BSA Rocket 3 in Rickman frame is a project waiting for the finish line. The pictures on the auction are out of focus, so I took the liberty of searching for some better picture of complete bikes. The small ones are the out of focus pictures by the sellers. The larger ones are completed bikes which the buyer can use to dream and outline their own build. BB

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images

BSA

1969 BSA Lightning

A fan of our sister site Rare Sports Bike For Sale sent us a link to something they had just picked up, a fully restored 1969 BSA Lightning. Now there is something about an original bike, but when you see the pictures of this restored BSA (and video) you can appreciate a brand new vintage motorcycle.

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From the seller

This 1969 BSA Lightning is a highly correct and matching numbers prize-winning bike that has been restored to an extremely high standard. It was restored in 2011 and only ridden a few hundred miles since then to get it sorted out mechanically. I bought it from an absolutely meticulous britbike collector in Massachusetts, who also happens to be a priest! He built his beautiful parish with his own hands.

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From what the previous owner told us, the bike was owned by an elderly and very detail-oriented collector who “grew up with a caliper in his hands” because his father was a machinist. From what we were told he had the bike completely restored, both mechanically and cosmetically. Don Hutchinson did the paint, which is absolutely incredible and show quality. He did the paint for Jay Leno’s lightning as well, and is known as one of the few British paint experts around. The mechanical restoration included everything, all wiring, full motor rebuild, etc. As you can see from the photos, the bike is highly detailed and the chrome and brightwork is beautiful. The only things we can fault on the bike cosmetically is a small chip on the right hand side cover where the kickstart lever hit, and an abrasion on the gearbox by the shift lever. There are two small scrapes on each muffler on the bottom, as pictured. Other than that, it is extremely hard to find any faults with the bike.

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Mechanically, this is by far and away the best riding Lightning we have been on. It starts on one or two kicks always. Shifting is smooth and precise, and braking is linear and strong. The motor is incredible, very strong, as you can see from the video. The bike wears brand new Dunlop K70s in original size, and we just installed a fresh battery. The 1969 is considered to be the best year for the Lightning because of the far more powerful twin leading shoe front brake introduced in that year. If there is a better A65 Lightning around, cosmetically and mechanically, we can’t find it.

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The BSA lightning was based on the A65 power plant first offered in 1962. Like most manufactures BSA offered the A65 at different performance and price points, with the Lightning being the 2nd most powerful in the line up.  Above the Lightning was the Spitfire, and from what I have read, it really spit, and popped, and was hard to start, but went like stink when going. The Lightning, with its dual Amal generated 49hp, and with its close ratio gear box gave great acceleration. The Lightning was also dressed up with more chrome then the other A65 models. The pictures of this 1969 BSA Lightning show this very well. BB

 

BSA

1960 BSA A10 Rocket Spitfire

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I will start out by pointing out that this  1960 BSA A10 Rocket Spitfire is located in Germany, so if you had your bid ready, adjust upward to include shipping. With that said you cant go wrong with this BSA twin doing its best Gold Star impression (note single exhaust muffler). Not taking anything away from the A10 twin, but all BSA’s will be compared to the 500cc single that had such an impact in the Motorcycle world.

$_57 (3)

From the seller

This extraordinary classic motorcycle was built for vintage motorcycle racing.
Very rare and expensive parts have been used for this project. When finished, the owner didn’t want to use the
bike for racing because it seemed to be too valuable. So the bike was slightly modified for road use.
After passing the German TÜV (MOT), the machine was used on the road very carefully, just 1300km (800mls) were driven.
The motorcycle is ready to drive and a very fast runner.

$_57 (4)

I am a little confused by the Rocket Spitfire that the seller uses to describe this bike. The A10 engine had developed from the pre-war A7, and grew to become the A65 engine. First offered in 1950, the A10 was BSA’s attempt to keep up with both Triumph and Norton and their respective parallel twins. The seller calls this a Rocket Spitfire, but the A10 offered the Super Rocket, and the later A65 offered the Top of the Line Spitfire. I have been unable to find a Rocket Spitfire.

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There are some mixed and matched components.

The long list of precious and rare parts includes:

-A 10 Spitfire Scrambler frame, only 800 were ever built, frame number begins with GA7A
-original BSA production racing cylinder head, twin port, extra big valves, was never available commercially
-Mondial racing pistons (ratio: 9,5:1)
-Lucas racing magneto, rebuilt to very high standard
-2 Amal concentric carburettors (932)
-original RRT2 Gold Star gearbox with reverse cam-plate (original gear positions with foot pegs moved back)
-5 gallons LYTA Aluminium petrol tank with racing cap, handcrafted in England
-Fontana double duplex front brake, specially made for racing
-Ceriani Grand Prix racing fork “Hydra Glide ” with 35mm standpipes (very rare)
-clip ons
-modified chronometric tacho, 10.000 revs
-siamese manifold with racing silencer
-Gold Star racing seat
and some more Gold Star and Manx parts, as shown on picture

$_57

The seller stats that this bike has been licensed in Germany, no small feat. With such restrictive requirements, shade tree mechanics, and high end custom builders have to jump through many hoops to get licensed, something not found in the States. The builder of this 1960 BSA A10 Rocket Spitfire pulled parts and design features from many different BSA’s, and even though you would have to ship it from Germany, I think it is very well done. BB

BSA

1938 BSA M24 Gold Star

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When Bert Perrigo put W.L. Handley on a hopped up BSA 500cc single cylinder Empire Star to race around Brooklands track in 1937, the two of them set BSA on a journey that lasted until 1962. What they did was earn a gold star from the BMCRC for completing a lap of the bumpy, high banked track at over 100 mph, and to celebrate BSA offered up its first Gold Star M24 in 1938. This 1938 BSA Gold Star offered by its Australian owner is one of those rare steeds from the first year of production.

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From the seller

Not sure what happened to my original add but will start again.  this is a 1938 gold star 500cc single all alloy engine made by BSA.  These engines were cast away from BSA then sent back to BSA and they machined and then assembled them. the first engine number of them started at 101 i believe and went through to 350 approximately.  This model was a preproduction model and the first 100 never left the BSA factory I believe.  they were built in paralel to the M model that were for the army and these had cast iron cyclinders and the frames had side car fittinge as well, but the JM 24 did not have these and the frames were made from high tensile tubing.  This particular bike has been in my family since the early to mid 1940’s and raced all its life,  it is in full going condition and complete with all its bits, including the speedo, tacometer both witch are cronometric workings IE (clock movement inside) unobtainable now, there is also a near complete spare engine with no damage to it as this bike was raced and when something was not right, the engines were changed over and then overhauled ready for use next.  there is also a spare gearbox, clutch assemble, rear 19 inch wheel and both a 19 inch and 21 inch front wheels for different typs of tracks plus other spare parts as well.  the frame number of this bike is JM 24-344,  one engine number is JM 24-328,  other engine number is    JM 24-326, also another crank case from a later model BSA is a HM 22 1293.  If further information is required please ask AND I will pass on this information

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Val Page had arrived at BSA from another British Manufacture and set up to re-design the 500cc engine which BSA had been using. The M designated engine came in both flat head and OHV, but it was the race department managed by Bert with bikes built by Len Crisp and Jack Amott which allowed Wal Handley to achieve the Gold Star. When the bike went into production, the engine attached was the M24 and this 1938 M24 BSA Gold Star with its JM designated engine numbers are registered as one of the few surviving M24 Gold Stars.

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The seller of this 1938 BSA Gold Star does not mention if the gear box on the bike or its spare are Electorn Alloy, an ultra rare feature of the original M24. And with a buy it now of $80,000 there are very few people that could pony up for this rare machine. But those that can, and do, will have a very special machine. How many people will be able to say they have one of the first, one of the earliest of a breed? We did highlight this almost 2 years ago, and the buy it now has only gone up. BB

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BSA

1960 DBD34 Gold Star Clubman

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A few days ago I had pointed out a rough BSA Gold Star available as a possible starting point. Today, this 1960 BSA Gold Star is offered up as the finished point. There are some changes from how it came to from the factory, but a Clubman was the bike you wanted if you wanted to race the streets around your home.

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From the seller

This BSA BIG FIN single 500 GOLD STAR with Clubman’s Trim is a beautiful example of the British road race bikes of the late 50’s and early 60’s  with correct Vin #’s for 1960 bike has had a complete restoration to it all parts engine ,gages ,new Rims stainless steel spokes all mechanical parts. bike has been retro fitted with a 32mm Mikuni Carb jetted and tuned to bike  runs like a dream This is one of the bikes that dominated the TT races in early 50’s late 60’s  bike has been fitted with a Lytta aluminum fuel tank ,also a Taylor Dow superleggera steering dampener top yoke with Tommaselli clip on bars, Rear set foot controls  8″ side brakes  typical café racer upgrade from era  This bike is a genuine café racer bike is currently in private collection of vintage bikes

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The first Gold Star was offered up in 1938 with the first improvements made in 1948. The final improvements, designated by the DBD, was offered in 1956 and continued until the final true Gold star in 1963. The DBD came with a 36mm Amal and was good for 110mph. This 1960 Gold Star has replaced the British carb with a smaller Mikuni, which likely will make it easier to start. BB

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