Rickman Micro Metisse

[Graeme M]

Was browsing RacerX website as I often do and came across this interesting story. Thought I'd post the link here in case there's anyone who can help this guy.

http://www.racerxill.com/articles/detail/3338/your-collection.aspx

[VMX247]

Just reading VMX number 5 about Metisse Motorcycles Limited and the name change etc.
I have emailed Tom and Carl's guardians the address/contact of the Metissa/Rickman company in Britain.
Cheers Graham ,Alison.

[Cowboy Don]

Man, I love those bikes!  I've got a frame for one sitting in my shed.  I stuffed it in a duffle bag in Canada and brought it with me to Austrlalia, tells you how small they are!

[firko]

The Rickman Micro Metisse is one of the cheapest ways of getting into the "pukka" Metisse/Cheney market. They're a beautifully built little jewell that are as light as a feather and handle like they're on rails. They have Ceriani forks standard, great lightweight hubs and are hand made from Reynolds 531 tubing. They came with Zundapp, Hodaka and a few with AT1 Yamaha engines but the frame cradle is plenty big enough for all sorts of engine swaps as Coffs Harbour Donnie and the TM Suzuki powered "Sickman" and Alan Jones Honda SL125 engined "Ugly Betty" testify. The legendary John Boag races a Zundapp version and swears it's the best handling vintage bike he's got. Bare and rolling frames are always on US eBay for chicken feed. I tried to post photos of the Sickman and Ugly Betty and the URL of this eBay Rickman frame( 350063930741 ) but got the dreaded error message.

[VMX247]

This is a real impressive website.Very nice
metisse-motorcycles
servicer wouldn't let me put the whole address.
Hubbies dream frame.
Alison

[firko]

Here's a good example of what I'm saying about little Rickmans being cheap as chips ...eBay # 130227693058

[VMX247]

Thanks,don't suppose there is many for sale often in Oz.
Not at that price anyway.
Funny that, I actually asked the other day about building a whole Metisse/Wasp Truimph,
I didn't think u would have to send 24k on one.
Well i suppose if you want it new,it would cost.
Everythings possible if you look around.

[Wombat]

I'm not familiar with these bikes but this appears to be one on the grid at Nudgee last year.

[Wombat]

and ten seconds later...

[firko]

That's the legendary Sickman with Coffs Harbour Donnie on board. That's a TM125 engine swap jobby.

[VMX247]

Beautiful stuff
Where is Nudgee

[Wombat]

Nudgee is a Brisbane suburb, just a few kliks north of the Gateway Bridge and Brisbane Airport.
Mick Doohans name is on the sign at the gate and I believe he played a part in the funding or set up; I'm sure one of the BMCC Brissie regulars could expand on that trivia.
The facility has a very popular dirt track (see photo) alongside the VMX track and it's also floodlit (the dirt track bit) for night meets.

[VMX247]

Thanks Wombat,there are some big venues/clubs over east.
Cheers

[firko]

Here's another shot of Ugly Betty which has a Yoshimura stage 3 SL125 Honda engine. Despite the bling Ugly Betty's a pretty low budget little bike, as opposed to her budget breaking big sister, Black Betty.

[firko]

Hows this for a great deal for one of the rarest of the rare. Apparently they only made 100 Hodaka Metisses. It looks to be in great condition as well.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Other-Makes-HODAKA-RICKMAN-VINTAGE-HODAKA-MX-RICKMAN-MINI-METISSE-100-AHRMA-RARE_W0QQitemZ230256656599QQihZ013QQcategoryZ6719QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem