A Shooting (Gold) Star Among Classic British Machines

The single-cylinder motorcycle combines retro looks with modern conveniences and punchy performance

- Zaihan Mohamed Yusof

Today's BSA Gold Star motorcycle looks similar to its predecessor from the late 1930s.

If not for the presence of disc brakes, fatter tyres, modern suspension and an electric engine starter, it would be hard to tell them apart.

BSA is short for Birmingham Small Arms and was founded in 1861 to produce firearms. The Gold Star 650 bears a familiar silhouette as the Britain-made M24, a classic BSA which was first given the Gold Star emblem for clocking 100mph, or 160kmh, before World War II.

Like the classic, the modern 652cc single-cylinder motorcycle wears a gold star on its fuel tank. However, while the Gold Star, now made in India, may also look like a classic, it does not smoke like one.

Some of its retro charms include wire-spoked wheels and a "peashooter" exhaust pipe, which cleverly hides a modern catalytic converter.

On its dual clocks – its speedometer and rev counter – needles unusually rotate clockwise from the 1 to 10 o'clock positions.

A small circular gauge on the headlamp shell displays oil, fuel-injection and side-stand status.