On Wednesday 30th June 1937, a specially prepared Empire Star 500 ridden by Wal Handley achieved a 100mph lap of the Brooklands circuit on its way to a debut race victory and award of the ‘Gold Star’ that would give BSA’s new super sports model its evocative name. 

Possibly the most successful production racing motorcycle ever, the post-war Gold Star formed the mainstay of clubman’s racing in the 1950s.

Post-WW2, the Gold Star did not return to the BSA range until 1949. First displayed at the Earls Court Show in 1948, the B32 Goldie boasted the telescopic front fork first introduced on BSAs larger models for 1946 and came equipped with a new alloy cylinder barrel and head.  

For 1950 a 500cc version – the B34 – was added to the range, and this larger Goldie was the first to switch to the new die-cast top-end, with separate rocker box, in 1951. 

The 350 followed suit in 1952 and the pair continued as the ‘BB’ Gold Stars after the new swinging arm frame was introduced in 1953.

For the majority of enthusiasts the 500cc DBD34 in Clubman’s trim is the epitome of the ‘Goldie’. The DBD, the ultimate road-going 500 Gold Star, appeared in 1956 when the famous RRT2 close-ratio gearbox and 190mm front brake became standard equipment.

From then on BSA’s much-loved sporting single changed little until its much-lamented demise in 1963. Today, BSA’s ultimate sporting single remains one of the most highly sought after of post-war British motorcycles and is supported by a most enthusiastic owners’ club.

According to the BSA Goldstar dating Certificate this DBD34 left the factory on 30th December 1959 in Clubmans trim.  

Registered in the UK from May 1960 onwards it was purchased from a dealer in the UK in 2009 by the seller and imported into Italy. 

Upon arrival he decided that the BSA could be improved so he disassembled and restored it, upgrading the electrical system to 12 volts and adding a reinforced clutch better suited to the engine power.  

He sent the ultra-close ratio RRT2 gearbox back to the UK specialist Len Haggis to be overhauled; there is a condition report on file that confirms its excellent state of preservation and originality. 

This is a rare gearbox with a very high first gear, up to 60 mph before engaging second!

During the restoration the seller discovered the original Dunlop wheels were irreparably damaged, so a new pair were sourced that are an exact copy of the originals. 

All the work was documented with photographs, and at the end of the restoration the BSA was as perfect as it was the day it left the factory. 

Along with Gold Star Dating Certificate #0211 there is an accompanying letter from the Gold Star Owners club and various other documents relating to the electrical upgrade and the gearbox rebuild.

The Dating Certificate confirms that the engine, gearbox and frame all match the original build records from the factory.

There is a comprehensive photographic record of the restoration work that will accompany the BSA to its new owner.

As can be seen in the photographs the BSA is in excellent condition having covered about 2000 miles since the restoration was completed. 

The seller has enjoyed participating in events such as "Otto Euganeo" in 2015 in 2016, and has used it a couple of times a year for outings with friends as members of Club 2 Classic Wheels of Padua.

The last long journey, other than local trips to keep it healthy, was in October 2021 on a ride to the Po delta. 

The BSA runs perfectly and is very rewarding to ride, thanks in part to the sensible upgrades incorporated during the restoration.

The BSA has been ridden regularly and well maintained.

The seller tells us that after the restoration he initially broke in the bike with the Amal GP carburettor, but it proved to be unsuited to modern traffic, so he replaced it with an Amal 36 MkII which makes it far easier to start. 

Ticking over easily, the BSA is now a pleasure to ride and is very powerful and fast, with plenty of torque.

The BSA Goldstar was arguably the pinnacle of BSA bike design, and probably the best British made single cylinder bike of its era.  

In the relatively long Gold Star production run, between 1938-1963, there were numerous Gold Star models, but the best of them all was the DBD34 with its newly designed cylinder head, improved braking and redesigned swept back exhaust.  

Dominating the Isle of Man Clubmans TT class from 1949 to 1956 it was good for 110 mph with handling to match. 

Now regarded as one of the all-time great motorcycles this is a rare opportunity, and the Gold Star is likely to be a canny investment.