Maybe you never heard of a BSA DB Gold Star before now. But one glimpse of the photos for the 1956 BSA DB Clubman Gold Star 500 should be enough to make you an instant fan.
The BSA DB Gold Star motorcycle is the ultimate cafe racer. That’s the style of lightweight, powerful motorcycle optimized for speed and handling over comfort. The custom bikes first appeared in the UK in the 1950s. In that era, racers would gather at highway cafes to socialize—and arrange street racers.
Cafe racers are meant to look cool and go fast. The ’56 BSA on eBay fits the bill. Its gleaming tank and chrome fenders shimmer in the sun. They give the bike a unique look even among other British bikes. This one is fully restored and ready to hit the road. The seller states:
This bike only has about 10 minutes on the engine and has lots of compression.
This 1956 BSA DB Clubman Gold Star 500 is relatively rare. BSA made about 15,000 Gold Stars—starting in 1938. Only about one-third of those are the DBD34 Clubman model. Production ended in 1963.
Built for Speed
These bikes are among the fastest bikes of the 1950s. They represent the epitome of a nimble British sportbike, adaptable to many forms of competition. Silodrome states:
The recipe for the Gold Star was simple enough, and riders of all stripes found a way of modifying them to suit their own particular competitions.
The Gold Star took the top five spots in the Daytona 200 race in 1954. Then, the Gold Star piloted by racer Bernard Codd dominated the Isle of Man Clubmans TT race in ’56. The winner of the 1956 Catalina Grand Prix also was atop a Gold Star. Modified, rigid framed versions of the Gold Star performed well in the flat-track racing world as well.
BSA upgraded the 1956 model to 500cc. Its overhead valve engines feature an RRT2 gearbox with close ratios. The 1956 model year got a newly designed head, along with a 1.5-inch Amal GP carburetor.
Each bike was hand-built and came with dynamometer test results, documenting the specific horsepower for the new owner. The top speed of these models was reportedly 110 mph, and the horsepower generally is between 34 and 42.
A Collector’s Bike
These are relatively small and light bikes, weighing around 380 pounds. The modest seat height measures 30.5 inches. The comfortable two-up seat accommodates two passengers. Or it provides ample room to lay low on the bike as you grip the clip-on handlebars. Adjustable clip-ons allow riders to move the position of the handlebar down the tube of the fork for greater comfort while racing.
The bike appears to be as close to the original as possible, including vintage tires like the ribbed Avon front tire.
These models are very desirable among collectors. One can be found in the National Motorcycle Museum in Iowa. Meanwhile, a $19,900 Buy-It-Now price on eBay would allow you to prominently display a piece of British motorcycle history in your driveway. However, the best way to pay homage to this 1956 BSA DB Clubman Gold Star 500 is to experience it on the wide-open highway.
