Lot Ended
Description
Hallowed 'ton up' café racer from a
discriminating private collection; Gold Star Owners Club paperwork; recently
recommissioned following a period on static display; runs nicely; very pretty
indeed
For men of a
certain age, the 500cc BSA Gold Star DB34 in Clubman’s trim is the
quintessential British ‘café racer’. By 1958 this legendary machine had reached
its absolute zenith, representing the perfect marriage of post-war engineering
and visceral 110mph performance.
While twins were
gaining in popularity, the Goldie remained a thumping single, the all-alloy OHV
engine pushing out some 42bhp when perfectly tuned. Its signature Clubman trim
included bell-mouth Amal GP carburettor for high-speed fuelling, 190mm
full-width front brake and famous RRT2 close-ratio gearbox with its tall first
gear (good for 60mph) that required a firm hand and a bit of clutch slipping to
get moving.
A dominant force on the track and the
street, it was a frequent winner at the Isle of Man Clubman TT and, for the
average rider, it was one of the few bikes of the era that could genuinely ‘do
the ton’ straight off the showroom floor.
The
classic chromed fuel tank, clip-on handlebars and rear-set footrests set the
blueprint for the café racer subculture. Yes, it demanded a skilled pilot who
understood its temperament, but in return it offered a mechanical soul that few
modern bikes can replicate. No wonder it remains one of the most highly
sought-after of post-war British motorcycles, supported by a lively owners
club.
This Gold Star (frame number CB32 7572)
comes with a certificate from the owners club confirming that left the works in
May 1958 destined for BSA Motorcyles of Denmark. The original engine (DB34GS
3400) has since been replaced by one dating from October 1959 (DB34GS 4804) and
there is a copy of the original factory ‘brake test’ confirming the Clubman spec
(see photos).
It returned to the UK in January
1990 and was then reputedly rebuilt by Gold Star guru Phil Pearson of Norfolk.
Our vendor acquired the bike in 2023 from a Somerset gent who had owned it since
2010, the invoice showing that it cost him £18,000. At this point the Goldie had
been on static display for several years and was in need of
recommissioning.
Our vendor has kept the bike on
display as part of his carefully curated collection of vintage cars and
motorcycles, all kept in heated storage. In November last year it was sent to
vintage motorcycle specialist ‘Mitch’ Mitchell of Ledbury for a check-over and
recommissioning which cost £497 (see photos).
This
included mag gear replaced and mag/dyno fully overhauled. Tank cleaned and
petcocks both replaced. A new Avon Speedmaster 275/300x19 tyre and inner tube
were also fitted (£185), along with a new battery (£45). A new fuel cap is also
included, along with a period maintenance manual, a Gold Star buyer's guide
and two old MOTs from 2003 and 2009.
We are told
that the bike is now “nicely tuned and running really well” and it certainly
looked and sounded great when the vendor blatted it around the yard at
Brightwells for the video.
On offer here at a
very enticing guide price, this iconic DBD34 café racer will sit well in any
collection and is just the thing you need to blow those cobwebs away. Go on, you
only live once...
Consigned by James Dennison
– 07970 309907 – james.dennison@brightwells.com