Rickman Metisse mid 60

[VMX60]

Wish list 

[flower pot racing]

Beautiful exotica.  Nice, nice, nice!  Good find.

[firko]

Unfortunately the ESO scrambler announced in the above clipping didn't live up to the hype. The frame might have been 'sort of' like a Metisse but what was missing was the Rickmans light weight and impeccable handling. Apparently the ESO didn't corner very well and some reports mentioned that it seemed top heavy.
The unit construction engine however was a gem, basically a lowered compression Speedway ESO (Jawa) motor with an integrated unit construction 4 speed transmission. Aftermarket frames appeared in small batches, especially  out of Sweden with bikes like the EGM. The first world 500 champion Sweden's Bill Nilsson fitted one to a Bultaco Metisse frame and many modified the stock frame to try and improve the handling.
While the ESO wasn't all that popular in the west, they were the hot ticket behind the iron curtain where bikes from the west were hard to get. Today, ESO's are right up there on the pre 65 collectors desirability chart and some folks have built all sorts of hot rod specials using the engine.

A nice restored stocker

Here's an EG made by Egon Gustafson in Sweden. It's now owned by Alan Jones here.

The EG prior to leaving for Australia. The engine's in a box


Jonesy's Black Betty ESO Metisse. There are only two ESO unit Metisses and they're both in Australia

[VMX60]

Firko

Over here in the West we have one unit construction ESO unsure but i think fitted into BSA frame ??

Still a sweet ride

Cheers

[VMX60]

Firko

Something to pass on to all the Eso/Jawa 2 valve fans

Phone call last week from the builder of this great one off  special

After 35years laying under his house this twin engine 2 valve is on the back to the track

Thats me hanging on the side

[Hoony]

wow what a great outfit, got any more pics of it. please post.

as a matter of interest what year and track?

[VMX60]

Hoony

Two valve Motors are allready to go. Frame is a mess alot of the running gear to repair look out Murray Bridge next year

Photo 1971/72 Clarmont WA  Unbeaten 14 meeting in a row
Plus look at all that hair I had way back then 

[Tossa]

I remember that bike, was a sweet sounding beast

[Hoony]

Hoony

Two valve Motors are already to go. Frame is a mess a lot of the running gear to repair look out Murray Bridge next year

Photo 1971/72 Clairmont WA  Unbeaten 14 meeting in a row
Plus look at all that hair I had way back then 

i just love checking out old speedway outfits. they are so compact and all engine. the myriad of variety from that pre Japanese era always intrigues me.

[crankpin]

Jonesy's Black Betty ESO Metisse. There are only two ESO unit Metisses and they're both in Australia

There was one recently in Scotland. Don't know where it ended up though.

http://circa74.lefora.com/2011/06/26/eso-mettisse/#post2

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TWINSHOCK-PRE-65-ESO-METISSE-/160609898027?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item2565188e2b&autorefresh=true&clk_rvr_id=301802959273&afsrc=1

[firko]

There was one recently in Scotland. Don't know where it ended up though.

That was John Wilson's bike up in Scotland which was recently purchased by Dean Rowe here in Oz.That makes the only two Unit ESO Metisse's that Pat French built are now living here only two hours apart. 

[Freakshow]

LOve to see that outfit, or own it !!

on then ESO solos, where are the mag's gone ?  and are they total loss or whant the go with th eoil are they recirculating it and if so any fotos of what under the cover and are they still using a pilgram pump ?

[firko]

That twin motored ESO outfit is an interesting piece of kit. Do you have a close up of the engine layout?

[VMX60]

Some motor closeup shots, have to digout old Photo Album for that ??

Love those one off specials, people thinking out side the box ,


Cheers

[firko]

Firko
Over here in the West we have one unit construction ESO unsure but i think fitted into BSA frame ??
Still a sweet ride

There's supposedly another stock ESO scrambler, believed to be a late 50's long stroke version, living in a dismantled state in the Hunter Valley. Apparently the owner's an expat Czech who's not interested in selling it or even showing it to anyone. Jonesy's got two bikes (Black Betty and the EGM) and a couple of spare engines in his collection.

Although I've posted these photos elsewhere, I reckon it's more at home here. 1957 World 500 motocross champion Bill Nilsson was legendary for his trick specials, especially the Crescent on which he won the title.
 http://www.mxlarge.com/interview/1874-mxlarge-interview-bill-nilsson
http://www.lindstrom-mx.se/bison2.htm
In 1964 he fitted a unit ESO engine to a Petite Metisse frame orifginally designed to take a Bultaco engine to compete in that years World 500 Motocross Championships. The bike, from all reports, performed really well but a mid season broken leg ended that assault on the title. As shown in the photos, Bill still owns the bike in unrestored condition, exactly as it was last raced........It's interesting to compare it to Black Betty.