Rickman-framed Kawaka T

**98tls** · 4th August 2015, 18:30

Bugger me....http://www.ebay.com/itm/Other-Makes-...-/291526700131Came across this thing whilst searching info on Rickman etc etc

**98tls** · 4th August 2015, 18:55

Right up there with a Bevel drive SS in the beautiful stakes, ie how did modern motorcycles get so fucking ugly...what went wrong?

**Katman** · 4th August 2015, 20:05

Well you know what they say about beauty being in the eye of the beholder.

**AllanB** · 4th August 2015, 21:42

Niceeeeeee

**smmudd83_1999** · 10th August 2015, 14:21

Originally Posted by 98tls

Bugger me....http://www.ebay.com/itm/Other-Makes-...-/291526700131Came across this thing whilst searching info on Rickman etc etc

They're not exactly super duper rare. Rickman sold some kit versions, but you could actually buy a motorcycle registered as a new Rickman back in the day. At least back in the motherland. They were quite a popular (ish) mod, and weren't any rarer than Dresda, Drixton, Harris, Spondon, Seeley, P&M et al. And that's only in the UK. - Bakker, Egli, Segale, and the early days of Bimota were all European period frame makers of a similar niche.

It's unusual for eBay.com or ebay.co.uk to NOT feature a special framed big Jappa of the 70's at any given point in time.

**husaberg** · 10th August 2015, 15:34

Originally Posted by smmudd83_1999

They're not exactly super duper rare. Rickman sold some kit versions, but you could actually buy a motorcycle registered as a new Rickman back in the day. At least back in the motherland. They were quite a popular (ish) mod, and weren't any rarer than Dresda, Drixton, Harris, Spondon, Seeley, P&M et al. And that's only in the UK. - Bakker, Egli, Segale, and the early days of Bimota were all European period frame makers of a similar niche.

It's unusual for eBay.com or ebay.co.uk to NOT feature a special framed big Jappa of the 70's at any given point in time.

Ya missed Moto Martin.

Rickman Bros made a few complete motorbikes Zunddaps 125's and 250 Montessa and the 700 Enfield twins. Pretty sure the rest were kits.
They started off doing Tribsa triumph engines in BSA frames for MX for them selves. They then branched out into complete chassis first MX and Road racing then road using a huge variety of engines from Aremachi to G50 and also Japanese engines.
There major point of difference was the beautifully welded Renolds 351 tubing and nickel plating.They also in the main part had excentric adjusters for chain adjusters built into the swingarm pivot.
They were one of the first to use disk brakes made they also made there own very light Magnesium brakes and large diameter for the time forks. 41mm.
The kits were originally known as Mettise (which means Mongrel in French)

Last I heard Pat French (MRD Mettise) in the UK still held the rights and had the original jigs and molds.
I have a 125 frame they are very very nice. The fibreglass is first class but the road and road race designs of tank and seat are ugly to my eyes.

They do however look great as an MX all the off road bikes pretty much looked like this.

**Grumph** · 10th August 2015, 17:24

As an aside, a hell of a lot of the frames were bronze welded by Kiwis doing their OE - at least during the classic Rickman owned era.
I've met two who worked there welding and they told me there were others as well.

Eric Cheyney's place was full of Kiwis too

**98tls** · 10th August 2015, 17:33

Originally Posted by smmudd83_1999

They're not exactly super duper rare. Rickman sold some kit versions, but you could actually buy a motorcycle registered as a new Rickman back in the day. At least back in the motherland. They were quite a popular (ish) mod, and weren't any rarer than Dresda, Drixton, Harris, Spondon, Seeley, P&M et al. And that's only in the UK. - Bakker, Egli, Segale, and the early days of Bimota were all European period frame makers of a similar niche.

It's unusual for eBay.com or ebay.co.uk to NOT feature a special framed big Jappa of the 70's at any given point in time.

Yep all good ive just never seen a Turbo Kwaka in a Rickman frame before.Long lost the photo but when i was a younger fella there was a bloke that was working for the old man that had a beautiful 750/4 with Dunstall (spelling?) tank/seat unit etc.Always thought the Rickman framed pom powered stuff beautiful in the pics ive seen over the years but must confess to never coming across one in the flesh.Went surfing the net to see if frames were still available and at what

cost.

**sidecar bob** · 10th August 2015, 18:13

This is the view from my dining room table.
Metisse with '59 TR5 engine.

**Motu** · 10th August 2015, 18:44

Originally Posted by husaberg

They also in the main part had excentric adjusters for chain adjusters built into the swingarm pivot.

The eccentric adjusters were 10 or 12 washers with offset holes...you flipped them over to go past centre. I was riding a Metisse on the road in the '70's - I had to carry these washers in a loop of wire incase I had to adjust the chain somewhere. I have a 125 frame too, I don't think it's a good looking frame, nowhere as good as the MkIII Metisse.

**sidecar bob** · 10th August 2015, 19:19

Originally Posted by Motu

The eccentric adjusters were 10 or 12 washers with offset holes...you flipped them over to go past centre. I was riding a Metisse on the road in the '70's - I had to carry these washers in a loop of wire incase I had to adjust the chain somewhere. I have a 125 frame too, I don't think it's a good looking frame, nowhere as good as the MkIII Metisse.

Yeah, there's a nifty little wire loop device that clips together that mine are on, I think it's a factory part & you can loop it onto a frame tube
If you have more that one Rickman, would you then say you have Rickmans or Rickmen

**husaberg** · 10th August 2015, 19:47

Originally Posted by Motu

The eccentric adjusters were 10 or 12 washers with offset holes...you flipped them over to go past centre. I was riding a Metisse on the road in the '70's - I had to carry these washers in a loop of wire incase I had to adjust the chain somewhere. I have a 125 frame too, I don't think it's a good looking frame, nowhere as good as the MkIII Metisse.

Originally Posted by sidecar bob

Yeah, there's a nifty little wire loop device that clips together that mine are on, I think it's a factory part & you can loop it onto a frame tube
If you have more that one Rickman, would you then say you have Rickmans or Rickmen

I say he is a Rickmanare.

I was meaning the workmanship, Although the 125 frame is certainly more pretty than the 250 Montessa.
Pretty sure the 125 frame is a bolt and nut device much like a bsa chain adjustor on the 125.
been awhile since I seen the frame, its buried in the olds shed

Originally Posted by Grumph

As an aside, a hell of a lot of the frames were bronze welded by Kiwis doing their OE - at least during the classic Rickman owned era.
I've met two who worked there welding and they told me there were others as well.
Eric Cheyney's place was full of Kiwis too

Clews probably had a few kiwis as well.
I remember a guy telling me a story about how the poms at a BMC factory who used to run the panel press and when they wanted an extra break they would put something in the press to create a blemish on the bonnet or whatever they were producing.
All hell would they break loose while the management tried to find the problem. but they got an extra smoko break. I think that describes why the poms went out of business and why the poms manufacturers would want to hire kiwis.

**Motu** · 10th August 2015, 19:51

I didn't have 2 Rickmans to wonder that, but I had a Rickman and a Cheney, both with T100C engines. I'd be a very rich old fart if I still owned everything I've had over the years - I always sell before they become trendy.

**Motu** · 10th August 2015, 19:59

Originally Posted by husaberg

I was meaning the workmanship the 125 frame is certainly more pretty than the 250 Montessa.
Pretty sure the 125 frame is a bolt and nut device much like a bsa chain adjustor on the 125.

Oh yeah, certainly much better than any mass produced frame. Mine is black not nickel - I could do the sand blast and clear, that's in vogue at the moment....nah,I'll wait until the new thing comes along then do it, I hate the bandwagon.

Yes, the BSA type, not the Fist Full of Washers like the bigger Rickmans.

**husaberg** · 10th August 2015, 20:02

Originally Posted by Motu

Oh yeah, certainly much better than any mass produced frame. Mine is black not nickel - I could do the sand blast and clear, that's in vogue at the moment....nah,I'll wait until the new thing comes along then do it, I hate the bandwagon.

Yes, the BSA type, not the Fist Full of Washers like the bigger Rickmans.

You have to wonder why they never used an snail cam.
So is it complete? The 125.