The Metisse Steve McQueen Desert Racer is one of the most evocative motorcycles of the modern era, paying homage to the machines ridden by the "King of Cool" himself and built by the legendary Rickman brothers. With only 300 examples ever produced by Metisse Motorcycles at their Oxfordshire workshop, these hand-crafted desert racers have become highly sought after by collectors and riders alike.

This particular example, #197 of 300, goes well beyond the standard spec. Commissioned as a one-off bespoke build and completed in 2024, it features a hand-built alloy fuel tank in place of the standard fibreglass item, finished in metallic dark red with unique knee cut-outs, hand-applied gold coach lines, and a natural lacquered finish. The engine is a 750cc Triumph TR7V twin - a meaningful upgrade over the 650cc unit found on most Desert Racers - mated to a genuine 1966 Metisse frame (Frame Number 948) that has been restored. Upgraded twin-leading-shoe front brakes and a Motogadget electronics package complete an incredibly evolved bike that's ready for road use. 

Adding a further layer of provenance, the race number boards bear the signatures of Don Rickman, founder of Rickman Metisse, and the current owner of Metisse Motorcycles. With just 10 miles recorded since the current keeper took possession in July 2024, and having been dry stored since, it's a genuinely unique opportunity. Not one to miss!

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