A No-Expense-Spared Authentic BSA NorStar Cafe Racer
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Nowadays, almost every manufacturer from BMW - opens in new window or tab. to Yamaha - opens in new window or tab. offers a mega-stylish, pared-down single-seater with low bars and minimal instrumentation. Such is the broad appeal of the old-fashioned, British-style cafe racer. But if you want ultimate authenticity, look no further than the exquisite 2004 BSA Gold Star “NorStar” recently listed on eBay.
Gold Star or NorStar?
The Gold Star was originally awarded to riders who managed an average race lap of 100 miles per hour or more at Britain’s fearsome banked Brooklands circuit in the 1930s. BSA decided to build a bike of the same name after champion rider Wal Handley managed the feat in 1937 on the Gold Star’s predecessor, the Empire Star.
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In many ways, the post-war cafe racer scene in the UK mirrored what hot rodders were doing stateside. The young speed demons discovered that certain engines were more effective with certain frames, gearboxes, and axles. Coming out of the war, most of it was dirt cheap and widely available.
Soon, you had TriTons (Triumph Bonneville - opens in new window or tab. motor in a Norton - opens in new window or tab. frame), NorVins (Vincent/Norton), Narleys (Harley-Davidson/Norton), TriBSAs (you get the gist), and any other combination that resulted in greater performance. Among this new breed of home-brewed high-performance specials was the BSA NorStar, which used BSA’s strong 500-cc motor in the lightweight Norton racing frame.
The “Manx” part of the moniker refers to the Norton-sourced frame and forks intended for the legendary Isle of Man TT races - opens in new window or tab..
All the Right Parts From All the Right Places
It wasn’t long before well-heeled bikers put more time and money into their builds and came up with machines that might have resembled this one. But the NorStar here has managed to incorporate certain modern concessions without giving the game away. Parts like the forks and ignition have been upgraded to modern standards, but none can be seen.
Built by UK specialist Dave Smith in 2004, it is clear that whoever commissioned this bike had a very clear vision. The NorStar's 500-cc motor has been taken out to 611 cc by UK expert Phil Pearson, and its impressive spec is as follows:
- Custom 611 cc BSA Gold Star DBD34GS motor
- Pearson billet crankshaft
- Keith Johnson Half-Mile cams
- Pearson Dural pushrods
- 9.5:1 Venolia piston
- Twin-plug, big-valve head
- Boyer ignition
- Hayward primary belt drive and clutch
- Triple drive side bearing
- Custom BSA/Triumph five-speed gearbox
- GSR Magneto kit
- Alton 12-volt 160-watt alternator
Dive into the listing to read the full specifications of this gorgeous machine. Here are a few highlights:
- The fuel and oil tanks were formed from alloy by Barnetts of Ireland
- The frame and modified forks by Consort Engineering
- Brakes from specialist Andy Molnar
This NorStar was a no-expense-spared project. With its addition of 12-volt electrics and the custom five-speed transmission, it will be easier to live with than with half the voltage and one less gear.
Ultimate Cafe Racer?
In the interest of fairness, we must remove anything with the Vincent engine from our consideration. There was nothing to touch them for decades in terms of performance, and at today’s prices, they’ve long since been the exclusive preserve of the wealthy.
Of the authentic cafe racers available to the rest of us, a NorStar—particularly one as special as this—is the pick of the bunch. That it has been displayed for almost two decades, covering a mere 85 miles in that time, means that it is the duty of one of you to acquire this design icon, don the appropriate gear, and ride it so that it might rightfully survey its kingdom. In doing so, you will look incredibly cool.
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This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.