Page 13 - LHR Sept 25.

“blending machine history,

context, and narrative”

Above: Treat the
riders of his era chose not to let them fade away.
motorcycle as it
Conclusion: The Man, the should be treated.
Right: The sporting
Machine, the Moment job got a rev-counter,
the regular rider
aspect has heated
The story of the BSA A7 Star Twin and Gordon grips too
Johnston in 1976 is not one of racing victories or
record-breaking feats. It is, instead, a story of
preservation, passion, and identity. At a time when
the British motorcycle industry was collapsing,
Johnston's Star Twin was a rolling reminder of
what had once been — and of what still could be
celebrated.
The Star Twin was born in the optimism of postwar
Britain. By 1976, it had become a symbol of
resistance against obsolescence. And Gordon
Johnston, by continuing to ride and cherish it,
ensured that the machine's song was not silenced.
Today, whenever a BSA A7 Star Twin is fired up at
a classic rally, its distinctive note carries echoes of
both its postwar glory and the dedication of riders
like Johnston who kept it alive during darker times.

13
LHR Motorcycle Magazine September 2025