Highlights

Restored in 2002
Scarcely ridden following the restoration
Engine bored out to 750cc
One of a few factory produced Rickman, a rare machine

The Appeal

Triumphs of the 1960s are, by and large, pretty exciting. They boasted brisk performance, sporty handling, and they had the looks to match. Introduce a bored-out Triumph twin to a Rickman frame, however, and you’re looking at one of the most exciting road-legal bikes ever conceived, a white-knuckle road racer to make the most seasoned enthusiast go weak at the knees.

Derek and Don Rickman opened a shop selling motorcycle parts and accessories in 1958, and traded until 1975 as a specialist builder of motorcycle frames for scrambles and road-racing. Their first frame, the Métisse Mk. I, débuted in 1959 and was soon replaced by the Mk. II in 1960. The Mk. III of 1962 became one of the most famous aftermarket frames ever built, notching up several race wins and podium finishes throughout the 1960s.

Low, lithe and looking every bit like it belongs on a race track, this Rickman Métisse not only benefits from the famous frame, but also from a Triumph TR6 engine which, according to the registration documents, has been bored out from 650 to 750cc. You don’t need us to tell you what that means: it’s a very fast and very thrilling machine, to be enjoyed by an exuberant but respectful rider.

Restored in 2002, this bike may have seen some light use following its restoration, but it has not been MOT tested for use on British roads since at least 2006 and has spent the last five years on static display in the vendor’s private collection, which means firstly that the restoration is very well-preserved, and secondly that the bike will just need a spot of very straightforward recommissioning, which could make for a fun project over a couple of weekends.

The History and Paperwork

Imported into Britain from overseas and first registered with the DVLA following restoration in 2002
Purchased by the vendor in 2018 and placed on static display in his private motorcycle collection
Offered for sale with the current V5, an MoT certificate from 2002 and a Certificate of Authenticity from Rickman Brothers Engineering

The Condition

Beautifully presented following 2002 restoration
Very much a racer, with alloy tank, clip-on handlebars and fairing
Borrani wire wheels

We don’t know what condition this bike was in prior to its restoration, but that doesn’t matter. What does matter is that it now looks phenomenal, and every inch a racer. We presume the 2002 restoration to have been a very comprehensive one, with the bike being stripped and repainted, the seat being recovered and so on, but whatever the case may have been it was evidently undertaken to a high standard, because it’s all in excellent order 21 years later.

In addition to the racing frame, the bike is fully equipped just as a road racer should be, with an alloy racing tank, racing seat, headlight fairing and clip-on handlebars.

There is some evidence to suggest that, shortly after the restoration, the bike was taken to the Isle of Man, where we’re sure it was enjoyed very much in the spirit of the TT. Having doubtless received a bit of enthusiastic use shortly after its restoration, the Rickman now displays a fitting and very attractive light patina. For the most part, there is very little cosmetic wear, but there are just a few small cracks and chips in the paint which give away the age of the restoration.

The Mechanics

Triumph TR6 twin bored out to 750cc
Various aftermarket performance parts including 4LS front brake, WP forks, Rickman rear brake and Koni shock absorbers
Requires straightforward recommissioning

This isn’t just a bike that looks fast – every aspect of its mechanical specification shows that it was built for speed, being equipped with a litany of aftermarket parts all intended for optimum performance. We are advised that the 750cc Triumph twin is a bored-out version of the 650cc TR6 engine, and then there’s the huge 4LS front brake, the Rickman rear brake, WP forks and Koni shock absorbers.

As the bike has been on static display for five years, we were not able to see it run, but we are confident that it is in excellent mechanical condition with only elementary recommissioning required. Although the lack of an MoT record suggests it hasn’t been used on British roads since at least 2006, it was said to be running well when the vendor purchased it in 2018. From the outside, all the mechanical systems present very well. It may be that the rear brake requires some attention, but while wheeling the bike around we were able to confirm that the front brake is very powerful indeed.

It probably won’t take anything more than some fresh fuel to get the engine running well, and then the remainder of the recommissioning ought not to take more than a weekend or two.

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