BSA L32-5 Blue Star

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Many years before the Birmingham Small Arms factory produced complete motorcycles, they had been supplying most British and foreign manufacturers with cycle components of the highest calibre and it was only a short step from this point to the manufacture of their own complete machines.

The first such machines were little more than motorized bicycles, but these were soon followed by single cylinder side valve machines with engines of their own manufacture and BSA began to offer V twin and OHV options from the early 20's.

The popularity of these machines was apparent in the 1930s slogan, "One in Four is a BSA". Whether this was actually true or just a bit of imaginative advertising is still a matter of conjecture, but having survived the depression, BSA set about making machines that the public could and would buy and offered both workaday models and sporting mounts.

1932 saw the introduction of the Blue Star range which had raised compression, stronger valve springs and options of Deluxe and Standard models, available with both foot- and hand-change gearboxes.

The L32-5 here is a 1932 model 349cc Blue Star and is offered in ‘as found condition’, which could be viewed through rose tinted spectacles as a restoration project, or more likely a source of spares for another project.

Sold strictly ‘as viewed’ and missing some major components (including gearbox, primary drive, instruments, exhausts etc.), prospective buyers are advised to look clearly at what parts are and are not present, and to the condition of the parts that are there, as a long period in poor storage has not helped at all with the machine’s condition.