In a variety of guises, which included scrambles, one and six day trials, touring, racing and clubman’s trim, there is little doubt that the bikes which carried the name of ‘Gold Star’ on their petrol tanks, were some of the greatest machines to ever roll off the Armoury Road production lines.
Most enthusiasts will know that the name of the iconic British single was earned when Wal Handley lapped the famous Brooklands circuit at over 100mph in June 1937, on a specially prepared BSA Empire Star, a feat which inspired the Birmingham firm to produce the M24 Gold Star. A 496cc alloy-engined machine with an electron alloy gearbox and a rigid frame made of light tubes – devoid of sidecar attachment lugs – which in both 500cc and, post-Second World War, 350cc forms ,would run until 1963, when, largely due to the demise of the Lucas magneto, production of the hand-built engine was brought to an end.
“With its large five-and-a-half-gallon petrol tank and single seat, the Goldie looks every inch like a refugee from the racetrack.”
Over the years, much of the history of the superb Small Heath single has been written about in hundreds of articles in the motorcycle press. It was after reading
