After Thursday’s street-based Rickman Velocette, reader Steve F. shares what most people associate with the company- a Rickman Metisse. These popular bikes utilized a Rickman frame with (in this case), a Triumph engine. Just like a dog with no discernible breed, this bike was a mongrel of sorts – so they used the french translation (Metisse) to name it.
1983 SWM 440GS
Ever heard of the motorcycle company SWM? Well, I hadn’t, so I thought this would be a good opportunity to introduce you if you were in the same boat as me. Founded in 1971 by two Italians, the company built several off-roaders around engines from Sachs and Rotax (the latter was utilized after 1977). In fact, one of SWM’s bikes …
1977 Can Am 250 Flat Tracker
This Can Am 250 – I believe it’s a MX3 – has a fresh engine rebuilt by Tony Murphy, 6-speed transmission, 38mm Dell’orto carb, and all kinds of other goodies. The seller doesn’t give much else, but if you’re one of the wise individuals who knows how much fun a flat tracker is, this bike should be right up your …
1975 Honda TL125
Most people don’t know this, but Honda built a trials bike straight from the factory (that didn’t have Montesa’s name on it). Built to tackle obstacles at the lowest of speeds, this air-cooled 4 stroker is truly piece of history for those few people who love trials bikes. It has slight patina which shows its age, but the bike is …
Couple of Kawi 250s
Here we’ve got an interesting pair of Kawasaki 250 off-roaders. First, a KX250 – one of the few I’ve seen that are still highly original. A 212 pound, 34 horsepower rocket, this 39 year old bike was apparently ridden for just two seasons before it was put away in storage. It was brought back to life just last year, and …
Video Intermission – Go Anywhere with the Tarus 2
From BikeMike comes this video of the Tarus 2, an incredibly light (about 100 pounds) and capable small “adventure” bike. Thanks to the tiny 5 horsepower engine and fat 220mm width tires, it seems this bike can nearly go anywhere, albeit slowly. And if you get stuck, just pick the bike up and throw it over the obstacle! Watch till …
1973 Maico 450 Enduro
Maico’s 450 (displacing a true 438cc) was an Open-class monster that was enjoyed by many riders in Southern California’s hard-packed dirt. The distinctive engine shape was called radial by some, and it had a 4-speed transmission because that’s all it really needed. This specific example has just 128 miles and has never been raced. It comes in the original shipping …
1974 Indian MX74
In the 70s, Indian offered a few small displacement off-roaders. One of the “better’ known ones (though that’s definitely a relative term in this case) was the Indian MX74. Advertising at the time touted an aluminum engine, full double loop frame, full floating rear brake, and other non-revolutionary features. This example runs great and is almost completely original – with …
1978 KTM MC5 400
Post-Sale Update: After being relisted, this KTM sold for $2,500 on eBay. The KTM MC5 was an expensive but well spec’d off-roader. Thanks to this, the 400’s were the bikes to beat in Southern California Open desert competition, according to Cycle World. For a review of this bike from Cycle back in 1978, head on over to Ye Old Cycle …
No Reserve – 1970 Husqvarna 250 Cross Racer
In the 60s, American motocross was full of heavy street bikes that had been poorly modified to play in the dirt. A man named Edison Dye was on a trip to Europe and noticed how riders were utilizing smaller and lighter bikes. After getting Malcolm Smith to try out a Husky, Dye became its importer to the states, and the …
1966 BSA Hornet
Post Sale Update: This Hornet sold for $7,499 after 10 bids on eBay. In the 60s, the US was clamoring for desert racers, and fans of the BSA Lightning were hoping for a stripped down version from the British firm. Enter the BSA Hornet, a 650cc stripper-spec without lighting.
450 Miles – 1972 Rickman Zundapp 125
Established in 1960, Rickman motorcycles initially supplied frame kits built for many British bikes, as companies would not sell engines to them. At the start of the 70s, Rickman got access to engines from all around the world, and started exporting several small-displacement motocross bikes, many to the United States. Ranging from 100cc to 250cc in displacement, today we look …
1971 Ducati 450 RT Desmo
Not many people know it, but Ducati had a one-year, one-time-only foray into the world of motocross. The Ducati 450 RT Desmo was created and imported after its American importer convinced them to bring a big thumper dirt racer to the states.
Off-Roading with a Yamaha FJR1300
From r/motorcycles comes this very impressive video of a talented rider who would ask, “who needs a GS?” The FJR weighs 637 pounds wet and doesn’t have what one would call tremendous ground clearance, so it’s a joy to see this rider at work. Oh, and did I forget to mention that it seems (at least from the end of …
1974 Bultaco Matador MkV
The Spanish motorcycle company Bultaco was created when Francisco Bulto resigned from Montesa – a company he had co-founded – because the board wanted to withdraw from racing and he had no interest in such a decision. He took most of Montesa’s racing department with him and created Bultaco. Today we’ve got a Bultaco Matador MkV, designed by Luis Carreras, …