1968 Rickman Metisse Triumph Bonneville Power, ALL ORIGINAL -823 Miles

1968 RICKMAN METISSE TRIUMPH ROAD RACER – ALL ORIGINAL SURVIVOR. 828 ORIGINAL MILES. VIN # R321T12025668. ENGINE # T12025668. BUILT IN MAY OF 1968 This Rickman Metisse Triumph epitomizes one of the most iconic motorcycles of the 60s and 70s that became a permanent part of motorcycle road racing history…You will never find another Rickman like this one. This bike was ordered and built complete at the Rickman shop. The buyer was Miss Barbara Weber of Chicago who also raced sport cars. I have an album with 35 documents that give history of Barbara Weber and document every step of ordering. specing. shipping. invoicing. It is a very interesting story. In this day of ordering on the internet with a couple of clicks. it is very interesting to see how this bike was spec. ordered and shipped back 47 years ago. Please take the time to read the ENTIRE description. I have tried to be as clear as I could about the condition of the machine and the important history behind it. THIS IS AN ORIGINAL MACHINE THAT HAS NOT BEEN BUILT AS A CONTINUATION PROJECT OR REPLICA. IT IS THE REAL THING. It’s very important to be aware that this Rickman Triumph is one of the comparatively few machines that left the Rickman factory with the Triumph motor already installed. as evidenced by the communication back and forth between the Rickman factory and the original owner. Barbara Weber. This is an important part of the history of the machine as well as the history of the Rickman motorcycle company. The vast majority of Rickmans left the factory as a chassis and bodywork without the engines. the engines usually being installed by a dealer or after delivery to the customer. If you're a fan of these bikes. you know how important this part of the history is. Also. please take the time to read through the historical documents I have included after the photos. Every letter and receipt is included and shows a fascinating look at the order and delivery process that took place. Every single piece of paper associated with this amazing machine is accounted for and will be included with the sale. The condition of this machine is highly original. un-restored. and preserved. having covered 828 miles since new. All of the numbers are factory correct and original. It is the 650 cc engine. The gearbox is also original to the machine. This Norton is completely original and has never been apart. I am the third owner from new. the first long-time owner being the legendary female motorcycle trailblazer Barbara Lee Weber of Chicago. It is in preserved. original. and almost showroom new condition. Although this particular machine has not been restored in the traditional sense. it has instead been preserved. keeping all of its original finishes and patina intact. It has also been mechanically maintained over the years. Consequently. this Rickman Triumph is a motorcycle that can be run today without worrying about the traditional mechanical issues of the past. The previous owner is a collector and he checked all of the major engine. transmission. and braking components again for wear and safety. The gas tank was cleaned again and the carburetors inspected. cleaned. and re-installed. all fluids were changed. and both front and rear brakes disassembled. checked. and reassembled. I bought this bike in November 2014 and sadly must sell this beauty due to family issues. I was told by the previous owner that the tires on the front and back are the original equipment Dunlop Gold Seals and are the tires that were installed on the machine at the factory when new. They have not been replaced and are in excellent condition. While they do not show any dry rot and are fairly soft and pliable. if you are planning on riding this bike any distance. I would recommend they be removed and preserved and new tires installed. The wheels are the original Dunlop wheels that came new with the machine and are in beautiful condition. with no corrosion or wear evident on the wheel rims or spokes. The seat is also original and the upholstery is in perfect condition with no rips. tears. or wear evident. The engine and transmission are in excellent interior condition due to the low mileage and absence of any type of harsh conditions or abuse throughout its life. A complete cleaning and detailing was performed. and although detailing on an original machine is never completed. the overall condition of the finishes is remarkable considering the age of the machine. and is in line with the low original mileage. The aluminum parts are in excellent condition overall. but due to the originality. no one went too far polishing any parts. The paint on the gas tank. fender and seat cowl is the original red and in nearly flawless condition. The original decals are still applied to the gas tank. None of the painted surfaces anywhere in the machine are in need of any type of touch up or repair. The fairing is the original Rickman half fairing for the machine. It is not affixed to the machine in the photos. but set in place to show the condition and is included in the sale. As you can see. it's in beautiful original condition. Please note that the photos of the bike were taken under florescent lighting and because of that. the light reflects off of the gas tank in ways that might make it appear as if it could have imperfections. THE GAS TANK. FRONT FENDER. AND REAR TAIL SECTION/FENDER DO NOT HAVE ANY TYPE OF DAMAGE. COSMETIC OR OTHERWISE. They are all in near perfect condition. If you would like me to take additional photos of the gas tank or any other part of the bike. please let me know and I will be happy to do so. All of the original accessories. including the headlight and very hard to find tail light. are in operational condition and in beautiful cosmetic condition. The Rickman Triumph on the road is very easy to handle. and rides down the road very tight. with no shakes. shimmies. or rattles. It shifts and accelerates smoothly and holds the road as it should. There is absolutely NOTHING that needs to be done to this machine to ride it occasionally and enjoy it as a showpiece. Unlike other machines for sale on the internet. this one is ready to ride and not in need of any expensive service once you get it home. Thanks for your interest! Please let me know if you have any questions or would like photos of any particular part of the bike. I'm happy to talk to you by email or phone about any aspect of the bike. I'm also always looking for new machines to add to my collection and love talking shop about bikes. so if you have something interesting. please let me know. TERMS: $500 DEPOSIT WITHIN 48 HOURS OF AUCTION CLOSE. BALANCE OF AUCTION AMOUNT MUST BE PAID BY CASH IN PERSON. BANK TO BANK WIRE TRANSFER. OR CERTIFIED FUNDS (WITH VERIFICATION) ONLY WITHIN 7 DAYS OF AUCTION CLOSE. The description of this motorcycle is written to the best of my knowledge. However. I am by no means an expert on vintage Rickman motorcycles. Please don’t hesitate to ask for more photos and. if possible. come and look in person before the auction ends. ALL SALES ARE FINAL! If you have any questions. please contact me before the auction ends. If you have any questions. please contact me. If you live close to Washington DC. I encourage you to come and inspect the motorcycle in person! In an effort to protect the eBay user information and to help ensure the authenticity of correspondence between sellers and bidders. eBay’s new listing format does NOT display any bidder information. Nevertheless. I STRONGLY encourage bidders to contact me directly to answer questions or to verify correspondence. Seller reserves the right to not accept bids or sell the vehicle to anyone with a zero or negative eBay feedback rating. This motorcycle is being sold as is. where is with no warranty. expressed. written or implied unless there is a warranty in effect from the factory. The seller shall not be responsible for the correct description. authenticity. genuineness. or defects herein. and makes no warranty in connection therewith. No allowance or set aside will be made on account of any incorrectness. imperfection. defect or damage. Any descriptions or representations are for identification purposes only and are not to be construed as a warranty of any type. It is the responsibility of the buyer to have thoroughly inspected the motorcycle and to have satisfied himself or herself as to the condition and value and to bid based upon that judgment solely. The seller shall and will make every reasonable effort to disclose any known defects associated with this motorcycle at the buyer's request PRIOR to the close of sale. Seller assumes no responsibility for any statements regardless of any oral statements about the motorcycle. Please remember that your bid constitutes a legally binding contract to purchase this item. If you require an inspection. have it done prior to bidding. I strongly encourage all bidders to inspect the motorcycle personally or enlist the services of a professional inspector prior to placing a bid. After the sale. inspections are not recognized as a contingency to completing your obligation to your winning bid. If there are any questions regarding the above terms. please e-mail prior to bidding. Please do not waste my time or yours bidding on an item you do not intend to pay for. If you bid on this machine and win. you are expected to pay for the motorcycle and pick it up in a timely manner! I welcome ALL international bidders and am happy to assist with making shipping arrangements. If you are an international buyer. I understand it can take some time to arrange shipping. so I do not mind keeping the motorcycle for a longer period of time until pick up. Please contact me before the sale ends. if possible. to discuss the specifics. Thanks for your interest! For more history on this machine. please read on past the photos… The Rickman Motorcycle Company was established by Derek and Don Rickman and manufactured motorcycles from 1960 through to 1975. Initially the frame designs were for scrambles. and then for road racing. Later. in 1966. road bikes were produced as well. The first street legal bike used a Triumph Bonneville engine. Rickman initially supplied frame kits. as none of the major British motorcycle manufacturers would sell engines to them. The frame kits were built for many engines. including Triumph twins. BSA singles and Matchless. In the mid-1960s. Rickman also produced road-racing frames for AJS 7R singles. and in the 1970s they began selling chassis kits for Japanese bikes like the Honda CB750 and Kawasaki Z1. The road bikes were the first to use disc brakes both front and rear (a joint project with Lockheed). Other innovations included the use of large diameter telescopic forks (1-5/8" or 41. 2mm) and oil carried in the frame tubes to help dissipate heat and save weight. An eight valve cylinder head conversion (700cc) for Triumph 650cc twins was developed in the late 1960s which considerably increased power output (up to 60 bhp or more depending on state of tune) and showed up some weaknesses in the Triumph crankcases and connecting rods. Chain adjustment was via eccentric discs rather than drawbolts to avoid misalignment. After the Royal Enfield factory closed. a little over 200 Series II Interceptor engines were stranded at the dock in 1970. originally on their way to Floyd Clymer (of Clymer repair manuals and Enfield "Indians" fame) in the United States. but unfortunately he had just died. and his export agents. Mitchell's of Birmingham. were left to dispose of them. They approached the Rickman brothers for frames. and as the Rickman brothers' main problem had always been engine supply. a limited run of 137 Rickman Interceptors were built. In about 1971. Rickman began producing complete motorcycles in 3 displacements. 100 cc 125 cc and 250 cc. The 100's had Japanese Hodaka engines. the 125's had German Zundapp engines. while the 250's featured Spanish Montesa powerplants. Many of these little Motocross bikes were produced from 1971 to 1975. most being shipped to America. In 1974. Rickman was awarded the "Queen's Award to Industry" for their export business. but it was the same year Norton Villiers Triumph collapsed. The Rickman brothers turned their attention to larger Japanese motorcycle engines. and produced Rickman Honda 750s. Rickman Kawasaki Z1/Z900s. Rickman Honda Bol d'Or 10th century. Rickman Kawasaki Z1000s. and Rickman Suzuki GS1000s. The bikes or frame kits were known for their beautiful fiberglass work and nickel-plated frames and are often referred to as "Metisse" frames. a term used for their own first effort. The Rickmans had a sense of humor. Google translates the word politely as "mongrel". The company stopped producing complete motorcycles in 1975. continuing to produce accessories. In the 1980s the Rickmans sold their parts to a company called MRD (Model. Replica & Design until then specialising in model aeroplanes). 'MRD Metisse' was born and run by Pat French. a Rickman Metisse enthusiast. Business was good throughout the late 80's but the early 90's saw a leveling off of the business.