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. Actor/desert racer Steve McQueen was a satisfied Rickman Metisse customer, describing the nickel-plated, oil-carrying frame as a "revolutionary piece of equipment" in a 1966 Popular Science article. With the Triumph 650 engine installed, he said of the finished package, "The rig is the best-handling bike I've ever owned. And the power – it's like supersonic." This is a nice stock and complete Mk III that has been on display for about 13 years. It maintains good condition plating throughout. Fitted with aluminum wheels, Rickman hubs, Ceriani forks, Works shocks and serrated foot pegs it is well equipped. The single-carb motor has a low-profile chain case cover. The gas tank appears to be delaminating and will likely require resealing. Please inspect this bike carefully to satisfy yourself as to its condition.