One more careful owner

It's hard to think of something to say about the BSA Gold Star that hasn't been said already, such is the impact it's had – and arguably still has – on motorcycling and its followers.

In engineering terms the Goldie is simplicity itself, yet in both 350 and 500cc guises it represents a true high point in the development of the traditional British sporting single.

Light, powerful, fast, focussed and yet incredibly versatile, Gold Stars have conquered the Isle of Man, the short circuits, the International Six Days Trial, scrambles tracks and trials sections – not to mention the countless battles fought on the arterial routes of 1950s and 60s Britain; arguably there never was and never will be a better all-round sporting machine.

Now, it is at this point in the proceedings that I'd usually start