Beschreibung:

British brothers Don and Derek Rickman were motocross champions and innovators. Both began their scrambles careers in the 1950s riding BSA Gold Stars, while the brothers' first 'special' consisted of a BSA duplex frame, Triumph T100 engine, BSA gearbox and Norton forks. It was given the French name Metisse, translatable as 'mongrel,' reflecting the bike's varied makeup. In 1959 came a purpose-built Metisse frame and within a decade their company would grow to become one of the biggest and best-known independent motorcycle frame-makers. An enormous success, the Mk III frame was produced in substantial quantities, proving popular for scrambles use, and as a desert racer in the Southwestern U.S. Eventually unable to compete with the Japanese factories, the Rickmans gave up frame making in the early 1980s, the rights to their designs passing to Pat French's firm, MRD Metisse, which continued to cater for the increasing 'classic' market. Adaptable to a wide variety of four-stroke singles and twins, the original MKIII frames seem tailor-made for the Triumph 650 twin, as seen here. Actor/desert racer Steve McQueen was a satisfied Rickman Metisse customer and is quoted as saying, Mine 'is the best-handling bike I've ever owned. And the power – it's like supersonic.' This bike was assembled new by Jim McCrackin who worked for the Triumph dealer in Fresno, California, Wilson's Motorcycles. Jim had raced professionally and was a top expert in the Fresno area throughout the 1960s. In 1993 local Rick Zimmerman raced it through 2002 winning expert races at Tulare Cycle Park and Dixon, California. This bike has the makings of being a decent racer today – magneto, aluminum wheels, Yamaha YZ fork and front brake, a lightweight air box, custom primary cover and tuned exhaust. The fiberglass is still 'nice' and in its original gel coat.