Rickman Motorcycles

7/20/2018 9:25am Edited Date/Time 7/21/2018 9:48am
I have a buddy trying to sell a 1973 rickman vp 250, I don't know anything about these machines since it was before my time. Anyone know any info on these? Has the montessa 250 motor in it he said... Its been sitting in his basement and any info would be appreciated... price in running condition? thanks
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Tim507
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7/20/2018 9:32am
If the price is right you cannot go wrong. Rickman Montesa 250 are nice bikes!
I raced a 72 Montesa see pic I got from the net....
Post a picture so we can all drool.


BMSOBx2
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7/20/2018 9:37am
Do a search in old school Moto section for 73 Montesa Rickman lots of info there.
7/20/2018 9:43am
Thanks guys will do, the one he's selling is red with all original parts and in good condition. He wants $1000.00 for it and I told him I would buy it if he got it out and running. Just wasn't sure what I am getting into and know vital is the go to on bikes like these...
Tim507
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7/20/2018 9:46am
Offer him $750 or $$$ if it's not running and get it off the street and into a nice home.....

The Shop

Tim507
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7/20/2018 9:49am
1973

7/20/2018 10:16am
He sent me this video off you tube, claims its the same minus the different head, shocks and swing arm. Said it has the 44m king scorpion motor in it as well (not sure what that is). I am lacking any knowledge on these bikes... This will be my first "vintage bike" ever purchased. thanks for the info Tim.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQU9qt_K9Tc
motoman617
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7/20/2018 10:29am
I had a Rickman-Zundapp back in 1972. Cool bikes that always had people coming up and asking about them but that Zundapp engine would break if you even looked at it funny. I remember drooling over the Montesa version at the dealer.





RichieW13
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7/20/2018 10:41am
What's the deal with the different motors? Was it like a Service Honda, where Rickman would build a frame and put different motors in it? The 1972 Montesa above looks great. Those blue and red things look like monsters.
newmann
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7/20/2018 11:08am
RichieW13 wrote:
What's the deal with the different motors? Was it like a Service Honda, where Rickman would build a frame and put different motors in it? The...
What's the deal with the different motors? Was it like a Service Honda, where Rickman would build a frame and put different motors in it? The 1972 Montesa above looks great. Those blue and red things look like monsters.
Yes. Rickman was building motocross bikes before there were motocross bikes. They sourced engines to put in their chassis and sold everything from small bore 2 strokes up to Matchless, BSA and even Triumph equipped 650 twins. Beautiful bikes and some odd ones as well.
scott_nz
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7/20/2018 11:11am
Rickmans are the original factory bike for the masses , my father has one with a 441 bsa motor , very cool looking bikes
newmann
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7/20/2018 11:11am Edited Date/Time 7/20/2018 11:13am
Thanks guys will do, the one he's selling is red with all original parts and in good condition. He wants $1000.00 for it and I told...
Thanks guys will do, the one he's selling is red with all original parts and in good condition. He wants $1000.00 for it and I told him I would buy it if he got it out and running. Just wasn't sure what I am getting into and know vital is the go to on bikes like these...
The frames are nickle plated and could cost a chunk to get replated if needed. Most likely a 4 speed right side shift so you will look dumb as shit until you learn that the brake and shifter aren't where they are supposed to be. Laughing

Of course, our old friends from across the pond will tell us that they are right where they were meant to be...lol

I helped a friend restore one back in 1993 that he bought up in Steamboat Springs at the AHRMA National for $600.00. It looked decent and ran. That's about all I know for pricing.
motoman617
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7/20/2018 11:12am
Rickman is a British manufacturer that made the chassis and then added different motors. At the local dealer here they had the Zundapp 125cc , Montesa 250cc and a 100cc model with a Hodaka engine in it. I think they even had one with a Triumph or BSA engine..
motoman617
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7/20/2018 11:13am
You guys are fast and beat me to that info. Smile
motoman617
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7/20/2018 11:21am Edited Date/Time 7/20/2018 11:22am
newmann wrote:
The frames are nickle plated and could cost a chunk to get replated if needed. Most likely a 4 speed right side shift so you will...
The frames are nickle plated and could cost a chunk to get replated if needed. Most likely a 4 speed right side shift so you will look dumb as shit until you learn that the brake and shifter aren't where they are supposed to be. Laughing

Of course, our old friends from across the pond will tell us that they are right where they were meant to be...lol

I helped a friend restore one back in 1993 that he bought up in Steamboat Springs at the AHRMA National for $600.00. It looked decent and ran. That's about all I know for pricing.
First time I rode a friends Bultaco that had the shifter on the wrong side it didn't end well. I headed down a levee here at a local riding area and did not know someone had dug a trench in the levee. In a panic I started trying to hit the brake which wasn't there. I was stomping on the shifter. Luckily I got it slowed down enough to just slide into the ditch but I did need an underwear change after that ordeal Smile
7/20/2018 11:23am
newmann wrote:
The frames are nickle plated and could cost a chunk to get replated if needed. Most likely a 4 speed right side shift so you will...
The frames are nickle plated and could cost a chunk to get replated if needed. Most likely a 4 speed right side shift so you will look dumb as shit until you learn that the brake and shifter aren't where they are supposed to be. Laughing

Of course, our old friends from across the pond will tell us that they are right where they were meant to be...lol

I helped a friend restore one back in 1993 that he bought up in Steamboat Springs at the AHRMA National for $600.00. It looked decent and ran. That's about all I know for pricing.
Newman/all,
thanks for the info keep it coming, that's strange because I asked about this (saw in another thread) he is telling me its not right side shift, he said the motor is a 44m king scorpion as I said above.....
Tim507
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7/20/2018 11:49am
It looks like it was setup to race. The King Scorpion motor is ok as it is a torque motor.
Looks like Betor front forks.

Still a nice bike and sounds good.
magoo1982
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7/20/2018 1:30pm Edited Date/Time 7/20/2018 1:39pm
Sounds like a bargain if decent shape , A local pro that owned a shop near me and did quite well in trans -am support class, raced one and was very fast , and won a lot of races on it . His shop sold Suzuki, bsa , cz maico montesa and rickmans . The 250 Rickman was last bike he chose to race for few yrs before retiring from racing ...If its a vr with down pipe even Marty Tripes raced one for a short time. VR was a montesa 250 that Finnish GP rider Kalevi Vehkonen raced in Europe
dimetime
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7/20/2018 1:36pm Edited Date/Time 7/20/2018 1:37pm
My buddy had a Rickman/Zundapp 125 back when we was utes. I hated the look back then, but now?

One of the most beautiful damn bikes ever manufactured and l'd love to have one now.

His Pops had one too and it had the Motessa 250 engine. Ran like a scalded gazzelle when it ran.

WHEN it ran.
7/20/2018 3:07pm
The cool thing is Rickman is still in business, albeit with different ownership. They still make those gorgeous frames and I believe even supply parts for their old stuff.
motogrady
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7/20/2018 3:15pm Edited Date/Time 7/20/2018 3:40pm
Tim507 wrote:
If the price is right you cannot go wrong. Rickman Montesa 250 are nice bikes! I raced a 72 Montesa see pic I got from the...
If the price is right you cannot go wrong. Rickman Montesa 250 are nice bikes!
I raced a 72 Montesa see pic I got from the net....
Post a picture so we can all drool.


This is not Rickman.

Early 71, maybe 72, Montesa.
This was nicknamed The Grey Ghost model, even tho the factory technically called most
of their motocross models Cappra’s.

Grey Ghosts came 125 or 250.


Rickman did use a lot of different motors.
The 500 and 650 Rickman Triumphs, the desert racers, gloss black, freaking beautiful works of art
motogrady
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7/20/2018 3:34pm Edited Date/Time 7/20/2018 3:38pm


This is a Rickman Triumph 650 Metisse.

“Metisse”.

métisse
Also found in: Thesaurus, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia.
mé•tisse or me•tisse (meɪˈtis)

n., pl. -tisses (-ˈtis, -ˈti sɪz)
1. a woman of mixed ancestry.
2. (cap.) (in Canada) a woman of white, esp. French, and American Indian parentage.
[1890–95;
plowboy
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7/20/2018 6:24pm
scott_nz wrote:
Rickmans are the original factory bike for the masses , my father has one with a 441 bsa motor , very cool looking bikes
Lol...a Rickman frame would probably be the only thing to make a 441 "Victim" survivable. That swing arm was made of spaghetti noodles. Swapped worse than any TM400. My high school history teacher had one. He insisted I ride it. Scared me to death. It finally ate his lunch. He sold it and bought a Super Combat Wombat...I hated him for that...I wanted one so bad.
zehn
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7/20/2018 6:30pm Edited Date/Time 7/20/2018 6:32pm
newmann wrote:
Yes. Rickman was building motocross bikes before there were motocross bikes. They sourced engines to put in their chassis and sold everything from small bore 2...
Yes. Rickman was building motocross bikes before there were motocross bikes. They sourced engines to put in their chassis and sold everything from small bore 2 strokes up to Matchless, BSA and even Triumph equipped 650 twins. Beautiful bikes and some odd ones as well.
My dad formerly owned a Rickman Triumph Metisse 650. Beautiful bike
plowboy
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7/20/2018 6:37pm
motogrady wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2018/07/20/275942/s1200_E2D08010_F952_494C_9712_8B94CFF433F4.jpg[/img] This is a Rickman Triumph 650 Metisse. “Metisse”. métisse Also found in: Thesaurus, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia. mé•tisse or me•tisse (meɪˈtis) n., pl. -tisses (-ˈtis, -ˈti sɪz)...


This is a Rickman Triumph 650 Metisse.

“Metisse”.

métisse
Also found in: Thesaurus, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia.
mé•tisse or me•tisse (meɪˈtis)

n., pl. -tisses (-ˈtis, -ˈti sɪz)
1. a woman of mixed ancestry.
2. (cap.) (in Canada) a woman of white, esp. French, and American Indian parentage.
[1890–95;
That bike defines badass but let's be honest here...Steve made everything cool. Hell, I looked up cool in the dictionary and it said, "See Steve McQueen".
1
linker48x
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7/20/2018 7:06pm
Rickman motorcycles are about as cool as there is. Don and Derek Rickman started building these things, more or less following the general layout and design of a BSA Gold Star frame— which already had good geometry, but only middling quality materials. They made theirs from chrome moly and nickel plated it and added beautiful fiberglass work. That model, the original one, took non-– unitized English 500 single engines, including Matchless, and also 650 Triumph engines, which had a lot of horsepower in a relatively small package for the day. This model is the one Steve McQueen is on. The Rickman brothers rode these in World championship motocross through the middle 60s. The next stage design, with a somewhat smaller cradle, the Mark IV, took Triumph 500 twins and BSA Victor engines, primarily. Then they made another model originally for Bultaco 250 two stroke engines, sold by Bultaco in the mid to late 60’s, and later ones for like this Montesano and so forth. One more model was made in various versions for 125 two stroke engines. When I began to ride motocross, in 1968, the two strokes had pretty much taken over but there were still some Triumph Metisses around and they were always memorably beautiful and handled extremely well. In the 90s I came back and rode some AHRMA motocross and I bought a Triumph 500 Metisse. It was the most amazing good handling motorcycle I think I ever sat on, very predictable and steady. These are pieces of motorcycle art, if you have a chance to buy one for $1000 I would just do it. Even if you don’t ride it you can go out in the garage and look at it, and you won’t lose money on it for that price.
1
Bultaco
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7/20/2018 7:26pm Edited Date/Time 7/20/2018 7:58pm
I’ve thought for decades this to be one of the best looking dirt bikes ever. Certainly on the podium along with the Model 68 Pursang



1
Motoxtombo
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7/20/2018 7:31pm
Here are a couple Rickman's I saw at the Primm Collection back in 2005,The front one looks like it has a Montesa
motor and the rear one has a Zundapp motor.

motogrady
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7/20/2018 8:06pm Edited Date/Time 7/20/2018 8:27pm
Motoxtombo wrote:
Here are a couple Rickman's I saw at the Primm Collection back in 2005,The front one looks like it has a Montesa motor and the rear...
Here are a couple Rickman's I saw at the Primm Collection back in 2005,The front one looks like it has a Montesa
motor and the rear one has a Zundapp motor.

Looks wise, fiberglass wise, imo, they suffered.
But, if you ever rode one, tank wise, they were narrow as all get out.
It’s like your knees felt like they almost touched when you grabbed the tank with them.
I think that’s one of the reasons they had such a hump look.
To get fuel capacity, they had to go up.

That red one, with the Montesa motor, at least 1973.
If you look at the Grey Ghost model, the fins on the motor and case covers are smooth.
1973 to late 70s, Montesa, which sold a lot of motors to various people, made what was called the waffle
style engine. Look at the fins on the red Rickman. Look at the cases. That’s a waffle motor.

I rode a black 650 Metisse last year. My neighbor has one. Shift right, brake left. Shifting felt real delicate, almost like a brand new ratchet wrench. Light, narrow, tractor like torque, and loud as hell. If you notice, the Triumphs, straight pipes. No baffles, no mufflers.Laughing
motogrady
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7/20/2018 8:51pm
I have a buddy trying to sell a 1973 rickman vp 250, I don't know anything about these machines since it was before my time. Anyone...
I have a buddy trying to sell a 1973 rickman vp 250, I don't know anything about these machines since it was before my time. Anyone know any info on these? Has the montessa 250 motor in it he said... Its been sitting in his basement and any info would be appreciated... price in running condition? thanks

Hey guy, I just noticed you’re in Washington Pa.
Next week, we’re having a 4 day vintage meet here in Terra Alta, West Virginia. 90 minutes from you.
Thursday, street ride thru the mountains.
Friday, dual sport adventure ride.
Saturday and Sunday, hare scrambles and motocross tracks open.

We don’t know how it’s gonna go, but if your buddy could get that bike here Saturday, there’s a good chance
he could move it.

79 South to 68, take the Bruceton Mills exit, pick up Rt 3 to Terra Alta, track is on Rt 3 just before you get into town, on the left. We’d love to have you guys, that bike would be a hit.
tireguy111
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7/20/2018 8:54pm
Motoxtombo wrote:
Here are a couple Rickman's I saw at the Primm Collection back in 2005,The front one looks like it has a Montesa motor and the rear...
Here are a couple Rickman's I saw at the Primm Collection back in 2005,The front one looks like it has a Montesa
motor and the rear one has a Zundapp motor.

motogrady wrote:
Looks wise, fiberglass wise, imo, they suffered. But, if you ever rode one, tank wise, they were narrow as all get out. It’s like your knees...
Looks wise, fiberglass wise, imo, they suffered.
But, if you ever rode one, tank wise, they were narrow as all get out.
It’s like your knees felt like they almost touched when you grabbed the tank with them.
I think that’s one of the reasons they had such a hump look.
To get fuel capacity, they had to go up.

That red one, with the Montesa motor, at least 1973.
If you look at the Grey Ghost model, the fins on the motor and case covers are smooth.
1973 to late 70s, Montesa, which sold a lot of motors to various people, made what was called the waffle
style engine. Look at the fins on the red Rickman. Look at the cases. That’s a waffle motor.

I rode a black 650 Metisse last year. My neighbor has one. Shift right, brake left. Shifting felt real delicate, almost like a brand new ratchet wrench. Light, narrow, tractor like torque, and loud as hell. If you notice, the Triumphs, straight pipes. No baffles, no mufflers.Laughing
Please post some pictures, I might be interested in purchasing the bike

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