I’ve featured a few BSA Weslake powered bikes that utilized a Rickman frame, but here’s a bike that trumps them in rarity. Here’s a bike that was apparently one of four built by Richard Barnes in 1971 – one of which was for James Garner to run the Baja 1000 with.
I really struggled to find independent verification of this, so you’re going to have to trust the seller. But the story is that Richard Barnes (based out of Los Angeles) built four bikes with components bought from Europe while he was managing a powerboat racing team. The engines are 500cc Weslake conversions from the BSA Victor 441. The wheels are from Husqvarna and the suspensions are from Bultaco. He designed the bikes and then had someone build the chromoly frame. Two bikes were done for Gentry Industries, one was for Garner (who apparently only made it 700 miles before he had to give up?) and one for Dick Barnes – the latter is what it’s front of you.
Dick got a matching helmet made but kept it in his showroom as a showpiece, he apparently never started the bike. In 2/2015 the bike was serviced and test started, and the seller says the condition is outstanding, with a note that some paint on the frame is flaking. The seller also says that he’ll include a letter of provenance from the builder and that the “Petersen Museum is supposed to have some archival photos.” Find this BSA for sale in Medford, Oregon for $9,500 here on Craigslist.
This bike-uriousity brought to you by Bill B!