1957 BSA Gold Star DBD34, 499cc, ex Harry Grant race bike. R...

Estimate

£11,000 - £13,000

1957 BSA Gold Star DBD34, 499cc, ex Harry Grant race bike. Registration number UUV 183 (non transferrable). Frame number CB32 6071. Engine number BDB34.GS.2061.
Post war, BSA launched the ZB32 in 1948 at a price of £211. In order to satisfy the eligibility requirements for the Clubman's TT, over 100 machines were produced, 21 of which were entered into the 1949 350 cc junior race, a race to be dominated by Gold Stars for the next eight years. The 350CC model was followed by the 500 cc ZB34. 1953 saw the introduction of the BB series (BB32-350 cc/BB34-500 cc) with new duplex cradle frame and swinging arm rear suspension. These were followed in 1954 by the CB series with engine changes aimed primarily at the road racers. Immediate success was achieved in the Clubman's TT and this cycle of engine redesign and immediate success was repeated the following year with the DB series. Towards the end the Gold Star was only offered in scrambles or Clubman's trim.
UUV was first registered to Raymond Dixon of Bromley on the 6th November 1957 and Andrew Williamson of Alloa in May 1959, sometime after that it was bought by Scottish racer Harry Grant, a bus and lorry mechanic from Kincardine on Forth, and remained a race bike until our vendor purchased it in 2008 and successfully applied for the reinstating of the original registration number from DVLA.
Harry competed on local Scottish and English tracks, Irish road races and on the Isle of Man from 1949 on a variety of machines; 1949, 350 Clubman’s Junior AJS DNF, 1952 and 53, Junior Velocette 41st and 38th, 1956, Junior BSA 35th, 1957, Senior BSA DNF, Junior 46th, 1959, Senior TT Norton, 18th, Junior TT Norton, 33rd, 1960, Senior TT Norton, 30th, Junior TT Norton, 33rd, 1961, this machine, Senior BSA, DNF, Junior Norton, 35th, 1962, this machine, Senior BSA, DNF, Junior Norton, 26th.
It appears to have then been retired until our vendors purchase in 2008 and he began its restoration, the engine has not been run since its rebuild and only has Mineral Castrol Classic 50 build oil in it.
The Bike has a Lyta alloy tank, a central oil tank, empty, Dunlop 19inch alloy rims, Taylor Dow race seat plus the original race seat, Rev counter, Amal GP carb, RRT gear box, the kickstart has been sealed with an old half penny, Lucas Racing Mag, 8inch single side front brake, triangular tyres not suitable for racing.
Used as a display bike for shows since completion our custodian, a Scottish Classic Motorcycle Racing stalwart has decided it is time it went to a new home.
Sold with the V5C, R.F.60, various correspondence, the original fairing, other spares and an enlarged photo from 1962 of Grant working on the machine.