The now-defunct U.K.-Rickman motorcycles are probably best known for their chassis used on dirt-going two-wheelers but after establishing themselves in the 1960’s Scrambler-scene they embarked on their next series of projects: frames for road bikes/cafe racers. Because brothers: Derek and Don Rickman (of Rickman motorcycles) weren’t able to get the engines they wanted from major British-manufacturers they instead decided to sell frame kits for BSA’s, Triumph and Matchless double and single engines before eventually making frame kits to house Japanese power plants in the 1970’s.
These rare kits weren’t just implemented to alter the appearance of British machines, but they greatly improved performance through a handful of (then) ground-breaking designs. The use of front and rear disc brakes in addition to telescopic forks and OIF (oil in frame) frames which enabled these bikes to boast superior performance and weight advantages over manufacturer’s stock frames. Another really cool advancement the Rickman brothers were behind was an eight-valve Triumph cylinder-head which bumped up the horsepower on these U.K.-born racers by a whopping 25%.
Though the seller doesn’t specify the year though I’m confident this is a post-’66 pre-’70 cafe racer frame kit. Said kit houses a Triumph 650 Bonneville engine. The ad doesn’t mention the machine’s mechanical state but because it’s for sale at the Garage Company in Los Angeles, I assume the 650 is sound. Making my assumption that much stronger is the fact this very Triumph was featured on Cafe Racer TV. Rickman would eventually be sold by the brothers but are nonetheless still remembered as a reputable vintage kit company that elevated the performance of proven engines via an advanced chassis, something of a “Britmota” so to speak.
You can find this all-British 1960’s Rickman kitted Triumph 650 cafe racer for sale here at the Garage Company in Los Angeles, CA with a price of $25,000. You can learn a little about these in the short video below.