Registration No: Unregistered
Frame No: 1730
MOT: Exempt

RESERVE REDUCED

• Mk4 Metisse chassis and bodywork
• Includes MP Forks, front and rear wheels
• c.1964 Triumph T100SS 500cc engine

Rickman Motorcycles was an independent motorcycle chassis constructor established by brothers Derek and Don Rickman in the late 1950s. Both successful off-road riders, they initially made frames for their own use, but before long their competitors realised how much better the brothers’ bikes handled and limited production was set up to build more for sale. Initially, the frame designs were for off-road scrambles and track racing, but by 1966 frame kits for road bikes were being offered. The first street-legal bike used a Triumph Bonneville engine with Rickman only being able to supply frame kits to the public as no major motorcycle manufacturers would sell engines separately. The kits were built to take many engines including Triumph, BSA and Matchless and by the 1970s they began selling chassis kits for Japanese bikes like the Honda CB750 and Kawasaki Z1. Because of the 'cross breed' approach to making complete bikes the Rickman brothers decided to call their first bike the 'Mongrol', but quickly decided the French translation 'Metisse' sounded a bit classier.

This interesting project is from a deceased estate, so unfortunately not much is known of its history, but with the kind help of Rickman Metisse Historic Register, the chassis has been identified as a Mk4 that was manufactured on 21st October 1969 and sent to Cushworths ready to accept a BSA Victor/Weslake B44 engine. The frame is numbered 1730 and comes with a steel fuel tank and Avon fibreglass seat unit, side panels and air cleaner box. The forks are MP, as used by Rickman in the day, with a conical rear hub and a full-width alloy front brake. The engine is stamped T100SS H35460 suggesting it is from a unit construction 1964 Tiger 100SS, a card with it states the crank has been ground to -20 and the bore is at + 40, although it has not been stripped to check this. It appears that many major components to start a challenging but rewarding build are present, for what is a worthy and iconic 1960s classic project.

PLEASE NOTE:

From information kindly supplied by the Rickman register, this lot was actually despatched to Cusworths as a frame-kit designed to take a BSA B44/Weslake motor. There are a few more parts included that can be viewed at the documents office if attending the sale.

For more information, please contact:
Ian Cunningham
ian.cunningham@handh.co.uk
07415 871189