WHAT THE PAPERS SAID

AT THE END OF six hours we had covered a total of 417 miles, for an average of 69.5mph, including stops. If we hadn’t lost time when we ran out of gas, our average would have been 70-plus FOR THE OLD-TIMER who used to ride a single, and the younger rider who never had the pleasure, the new Gold Star should be a welcome change in their lives THE TRANSMISSION worked quite well, though some extra care was required compared with other constant mesh units. Gear ratios were well suited to the engine’s power band which is quite broad THE FOOTPEGS are too far forward. This is an extremely uncomfortable position… we feel they should be moved a minimum of four inches back. The pivot leverage for both the foot brake and the shift lever are very awkward THE ENGINE HAS plenty of torque, and is intended to be shifted at relatively low rpms. By the same measure, the compression deceleration is considerable; so much so that some care must be taken when downshifting at high speeds. The back wheel can be broken loose, causing the rear end to skid on turns THE BRAKES PERFORMED very well and we gave them hard use. They showed no tendency to fade or grab and seemed to improve throughout the day THE ENGINE performed flawlessly, except for an occasional tendency to detonate when running flat out down long straights. Despite the considerable torque of the engine, the 30lb difference in the weight of the two riders was enough to affect acceleration out of the corners… and the lighter rider’s speed through the trap was a consistent 7mph faster than the heavier rider THE BSA GOLD STAR rates very highly on an overall index of quality, design and performance. It’s the only big bore four-stroke single left on the market Cycle Guide, 1971