Above : The classic 1955 350cc Gold Star . Below : Gold Star in full racing trim
105.57mph . It was a huge marketing coup for BSA , so the 1938 Empire Star became the Gold Star . Plans were underway for a Gold Star Handley Replica , but the Second World War intervened .
BOY RACER After the war , the Gold Star became known as the Boy Racer . It was a bike that could be ridden on the road and also raced . It captured
the hearts and minds of 1950s motorcyclists with a passion for sporting prowess . The ‘ Goldie ’ was almost all things to all motorcyclists . It was described as the ultimate clubman ’ s racer , and the definitive single-cylinder street racer . The Goldie ’ s exalted reputation began with victory in the 1949 Junior ( 350cc ) Clubman ’ s TT on the Isle of Man at an average speed of 75.18mph , using immediate post-war 73 octane pool petrol . The model went on to claim thirteen
86 KIWI RIDER