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Rickman Motorcycle History


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A Brief History of the Marque

Information below translated from the now defunct rickman-bikes.de. Apologies for the Germanglish.

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RICKMAN HISTORY

Statistics ...

The brothers Derek and Don Rickman were successful off-road competition riders in England and Europe in the 1950's and 60s. In 1959 they developed and built their first competition motorcycle, the Rickman Metisse Mark I. A year later, they built the Mark II, and in 1962 the Metisse Mark III appeared, which became the basis for many successful machines using a variety of engines. In 1966, the first two road racing motorcycles were created in collaboration with Tom Kirby. These became very successful in racing, and subsequently street legal motorcycles appeared. In the 70's two new road models were presented: the Rickman CR 750 (Honda) and the Rickman CR 900/1000 (Kawasaki). In 1985 Rickman began with production of the Ranger, an SUV with Ford technology as a kit-car. The Rickman company was sold in March 1991 to the FSV International Group.
1948 Derek Rickman starts successfully participate in trail competitions.
1951 Don Rickman also begins to participate in off-road events.
1952 Derek Rickman takes on the British 500cc Grand Prix in part (3rd place).
1953 Don Rickman (17 years old) takes on 2 British 500cc Grand Prix in part (4th place).
1955 Don and Derek prove the Hants Grand National as a works driver of the company Enfield places 1 and 2
1957 Motocross des Nations 9th place Derek Rickman.
April 1958 Opening of Rickman motorcycle shops in New Milton.
1958 Don and Derek Rickman are members of the British team for the Motocross des Nations.
1959 Debut of Metisse Mark I in Bulbarrow. 1st place Derek Rickman.
1959 GP Italy at Imola: 2nd place Derek Rickman; 3rd place Don Rickman. Both on Metisse Mark I.
1960 First contacts with the Rickman brothers to Bultaco (Spain).
1960 Debut of the Rickman Metisse Mark II at Hants Grand National.
1962 Debut of the Rickman Metisse Mark III, for the first time with its own chassis from Reynolds 531 tubing, new chain tension and using fiberglass parts. In addition, the frame was plated for the first time.
1963 Bultaco Metisse 196 cc.
1964 Bultaco Metisse 250 cc.
1965 First series production of Bultaco Metisse 250 cc. (25 pieces)
1966 The first two Road Racing Metisse Motorcycles created in collaboration with Tom Kirby, Paul Dunstall and Lockheed. 1st place in the 1st race at Mallory Park. Rider: Bill Ivy.
1966 Derek Rickman won the "750 Coupe d'Europe".
1966 On the "Earls Court Show" Rickman presents the first "Street Metisse".
1967 Debut of the Aermacchi Metisse.
1968 Metisse Mark IV Engine: BSA Victor.
1969 Senior TT, Isle of Man, Alan Barnett occupies the second place behind Agostini.
1969 Metisse Horex Imperator
1969 The Rickman / Weslake 8-valve cylinder head for Triumph (65 bhp) is presented
1969 Karl Hoppe is the GP of Germany the 2nd place and is German Champion to 500 cc on URS METISSE
1970 Debut Rickman Zundapp 125 Montesa 250, Enfield Interceptor
1974 Rickman gets "Queens Award to Industry".
1974 Debut Rickman CR 750
1975 Debut Rickman CR 900/1000 sec.
1970 Tony Holland wins on the factory-backed Rickman CR 900, the Production race at Brands Hatch.
1985 Start of production of the SUV Ranger.
March 1991 Sale of the company Rickman at the FSV. International Group.
1992 Resolution of the company Rickman.


2007 - Don and Derek Rickman invested in the "Hall of Fame" of the American Motorcycle Association (AMA)

STATISTICS
Rickman in the motorcycle world championship
YEAR CLASS PLACE NAME COUNTRY MOTORCYCLE POINTS
1966
500 15 LEWIS YOUNG GB METISSE-MATCHLESS 3
1967
500 3 JOHN Hartle GB METISSE-MATCHLESS 22
15 BOSSES GRANATH S METISSE-MATCHLESS 3
350 7 KEL CARRUTHERS OFF METISSE-Aermacchi 9
1968
500 16 JOHN Hartle GB METISSE-MATCHLESS 4
350 3 KEL CARRUTHERS GB METISSE-Aermacchi
Aermacchi DRIXTON-
17
6 DEREK WOODMAN GB METISSE-Aermacchi 9
1969
500 5 ALAN BARNETT GB METISSE-MATCHLESS 32
18 CHARLES HOPPE D METISSE-URS 12
44 JOHN WILLIAMS GB METISSE-MATCHLESS 3
53 STEVE SPENCER GB METISSE-MATCHLESS 1
350 33 MAURICE
HAWTHORNE
GB METISSE-Aermacchi 3
40 JIM CURRY GB METISSE-Aermacchi 3
1970
500 23 JOHN WILLIAMS GB METISSE-MATCHLESS 8
1972
500 43 ARPAD Juhos HU METISSE-MATCHLESS 2
Constructors Championship
1967
500 5 METISSE 22