classic motorcycle forum

Motorcycle Discussions => Identify these bikes! => Topic started by: mick.lemmerman on February 09, 2012, 08:07:00 PM

Title: Is this a Gold Star?
Post by: mick.lemmerman on February 09, 2012, 08:07:00 PM

The bike in the background, not the one with the side car. It's my Dad's bike, circa 1960.....

Title: Re: Is this a Gold Star?
Post by: L.A.B. on February 09, 2012, 09:18:53 PM

I think it looks more like a fairly ordinary (1955?) 250cc C11G rather than any Gold Star.

Title: Re: Is this a Gold Star?
Post by: rogerwilko on February 09, 2012, 09:53:18 PM

Possibly a C12.

Title: Re: Is this a Gold Star?
Post by: L.A.B. on February 09, 2012, 09:57:18 PM

Quote from: rogerwilko on February 09, 2012, 09:53:18 PM

Possibly a C12.

The C12 had a full width front brake hub though, and the bike in the photo doesn't have a full width hub.

Title: Re: Is this a Gold Star?
Post by: chaterlea25 on February 10, 2012, 12:00:16 AM

Hi All,
Unless I'm going "off" I can see an exhaust pipe passing the frame nearest the camera??
Then that would make the bike an A7 or A10?
Some of the A10's had an 8inch brake like the sidecar bike
looks to be 7inch in the pic ??,
The single sided hub would make it a 54 or 55 model
My 2 cents worth
John

Title: Re: Is this a Gold Star?
Post by: L.A.B. on February 10, 2012, 12:08:28 AM

Quote from: chaterlea25 on February 10, 2012, 12:00:16 AM

Unless I'm going "off" I can see an exhaust pipe passing the frame nearest the camera??

That had me puzzled for a while too - but I think it's the light reflecting from the lower bracket of the crashbar which is making it look as if the exhaust pipe is to the left of the downtube.

Title: Re: Is this a Gold Star?
Post by: mick.lemmerman on February 10, 2012, 06:28:18 PM

mmm, sorry to hear it's probably not a Gold Star (don't know why I'm sorry, I think it's because I spent all my life thinking that's what is was).

Got another photo if it makes it clearer

And of course thanks to the repliers.

Title: Re: Is this a Gold Star?
Post by: esometisse on February 10, 2012, 07:34:06 PM

certainely no Goldstar or twin either. The fork cowl is the giveaway. Most probably a 1954ish C11G in my opinion.

Cheers
Andy

Title: Re: Is this a Gold Star?
Post by: mick.lemmerman on February 10, 2012, 09:23:35 PM

An historic number plate search just told me:

"This combination was issued from 1955
This plate would have been issued by Essex C.C. (currently Chelmsford)."

Title: Re: Is this a Gold Star?
Post by: L.A.B. on February 10, 2012, 09:35:24 PM

Quote from: mick.lemmerman on February 10, 2012, 09:23:35 PM

An historic number plate search just told me:

"This combination was issued from 1955
This plate would have been issued by Essex C.C. (currently Chelmsford)."

Well, it does appear to have the larger 7 inch front brake which was fitted to the C11G in 1955, the last year that model was manufactured before being replaced by the C12 in 1956.

 

Title: Re: Is this a Gold Star?
Post by: RichP on February 13, 2012, 09:57:02 PM

Wonderful period photos, Mick. thanks for posting them. Even the narrow 1930s garage in the background is something that hardly exists anymore.

Am I the only one who thinks that it was a better (and more exciting) time to be growing up ?