1962 BSA Gold Star DBD34

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BSA Gold Stars sold in the American market had six gallon tanks and three gauges.
BSA Gold Stars sold in the American market had six gallon tanks and three gauges.
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John Niesley's beautifully restored 1962 BSA Gold Star DBD34 was in pieces when he found it in a friend's barn.
John Niesley's beautifully restored 1962 BSA Gold Star DBD34 was in pieces when he found it in a friend's barn.
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The six gallon “Clubman” tank on John Niesley's 1962 BSA Gold Star DBD34 gives the bike its definitive shape.
The six gallon “Clubman” tank on John Niesley's 1962 BSA Gold Star DBD34 gives the bike its definitive shape.
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The six gallon “Clubman” tank on John Niesley's 1962 BSA Gold Star DBD34 gives the bike its definitive shape.
The six gallon “Clubman” tank on John Niesley's 1962 BSA Gold Star DBD34 gives the bike its definitive shape.
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The BSA logo on the taillight housing of John Niesley's 1962 BSA Gold Star DBD34 points back to the company’s firearms history, which began in 1861.
The BSA logo on the taillight housing of John Niesley's 1962 BSA Gold Star DBD34 points back to the company’s firearms history, which began in 1861.
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The finish of John Niesley’s 1962 BSA Gold Star DBD34 is immaculate. Note the polished hub of the 190mm single-leading-shoe front drum brake.
The finish of John Niesley’s 1962 BSA Gold Star DBD34 is immaculate. Note the polished hub of the 190mm single-leading-shoe front drum brake.
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John Niesley's 1962 BSA Gold Star DBD34.
John Niesley's 1962 BSA Gold Star DBD34.
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John Niesley's 1962 BSA Gold Star DBD34.
John Niesley's 1962 BSA Gold Star DBD34.
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We should all be so lucky: Owner John Niesley enjoys enthusiastic rides aboard his 1962 BSA Gold Star DBD34.
We should all be so lucky: Owner John Niesley enjoys enthusiastic rides aboard his 1962 BSA Gold Star DBD34.

1962 BSA Gold Star DBD34
Claimed power:
40hp @ 7,000rpm
Top speed: 95mph (est.)
Engine: 499cc air-cooled OHV single
Weight (dry): 380lb (173kg)
MPG: 45mpg (est.)
Price then: $985 (est.)
Price now: $12,500 – $20,000

In the late 1950s, the BSA Corporation considered canceling the Gold Star, its most successful — basically it’s only — competition bike in the U.S. When the news got out to BSA’s American dealers, they told BSA, “Give us Gold Stars — you can keep the rest!”

The most iconic BSA model ever, the BSA Gold Star DBD34, was actually something of an anomaly for the company. For decades, BSA made its money selling well built, reliable, non-sporty motorcycles to people who needed to get to work. There was a big market for two-wheeled Buicks in England and the Commonwealth countries, and BSA did well with its staid and reliable lineup.

The Gold Star, on the other hand, was not a good bike for getting to work. Built for performance, it was noisy and hard to start. But it was also fast and a lot of fun to ride, and in the days after World War II, Gold Stars became famous on both sides of the Atlantic for their performance both on and off road.

  • Published on Aug 16, 2011
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