Rickman Interceptor, Metisse

Further Interceptor Developments


 

After the death of Floyd Clymer in 1970 the Rickman Brothers acquired the rest of the Enfield Engines. The engines were in possession of Mitchell’s in Birmingham waiting to be sent to Italy to be assembled. Mitchell’s were an import/export company and wanted to dispose of the engines as soon as possible. They approached the Rickman Brothers for a frame and the Rickman Metisse was born.

There were seven prototypes made (R650, 651, 652, 797, 810, 811, 979) There were however, only 130 production Rickman’s originally made. Production went from April 1970 until January 1972. Frame numbers commenced at R1001 and ran through to R1130.

Elite Motors Advert, From
“The Book of Superbike Road Tests” 1972

 

 

 

 

 

Customer’s Bikes

 

Phil Sampfords Rickman, Fitted with MK1A Engine with Amal GP Carbs

 

Robert Taylor’s Rickman, purchased new from Elite Motors

 
 

Certificate of Authenticity for Robert Taylor’s Rickman (left)

 

Invoice For Robert Taylor’s Rickman

 
 

Dan Rickwood’s Rickman

 

Bill Rosen’s Rickman, Chicago

 
 

Mark Cain with his Rickman before selling it on.

 

 

Royal Enfield Rickman Interceptor Royal Enfield Rickman Metisse
Derek Edward’s Rickman (IB2249X) in the West Midlands

 

 

Technical Specification
Engine: 736cc RE Air-Cooled Twin. 71 x 93mm bore and stroke
Transmission: Duplex Primary Chain to 5 Plate Wet Clutch, Albion 4-Speed Gearbox
Frame: Nickel plated and eccentric fork pivot
Suspension: Rickman Telescopic Front Forks with Hydraulic Damping, Swinging rear fork
Wheels: Borrani Light Alloy Rims, Dunlop TT100 Tyres, Magnesium Hubs
Brakes: Lockheed disc Brakes 10″ Front, 9″ Rear
Electrics: Lucas 120 Watt 12 Volt Capacitator System, Lucas Continental 700 7″ Headlamp
Equipment: 3-Gal Fibreglass Tank, 150mph Smiths Speedo, 10’000 RPM Smiths Tachometer, Light Alloy Centre Stand, Banana Fold Up Seat

Sole UK Dealer: Elite Motors (Tooting)
Canadian Dealer: Chariot Cycle (Vancouver) The Rickman was unable to be imported direct to the USA due to the US Department of Transportation’s regulations. It seems that some were stripped down and smuggled over.

 

Rickman’s In the Register, Add your bike here!

Frame#Engine#YearGBox#LocationComments
 1B-14781970  IrelandRickman Metisse MRD Frame John MosseyMRD Metisse Frame, built by John Mossey Classic
R7971B-19281970Lisieux, NormandyFranceThe second Rickman prototype which ran the 1970 Bol d’Or
R8101B-19341970ChellesFranceOne of the two prototypes which ran the 1970 Bol d’Or
R10441B-2203X1970LondonEnglandBasket case in the process of being restored (2010)
R10211B-2204X1971BGA63 USAIt was ordered from Elite and shipped to Boston in January 1972. Currently in North Carolina, USA. All paperwork is still with the bike including correspondence between original buyer and Elite leading up to the purchase as well as bill of sale and shipping documents. Sales brochures and related Elite Motors catalogs still in a large binder for preservation. The bike sat in a collection for 30 years in California until my purchase and currently has 1726 miles on it as of May 2012 at which time the seller was 82 years old. It only required an intense polishing and brake rebuild. Totally original and unmodified. My purchase included a complete new set of bodywork and seat as spares.
RR2041B-2206X1970BGA60PoitiersFranceFrame from my Weslake racer for my old friend Royal
R10041B-2207XSalzgitterGermanyElite Motor’s Press Demonstrator. Still running in original conditions
R10141B-2214XAshby de la ZouchEnglandBlue, Engine Rebuilt. But Not in Frame
1B-2221X1970Maldon, EssexEnglandThis was from Ian Abrahams Rickman, bought 17 years ago. Still under the bench
R10631B-2228X1970BullsbrookAustraliaFrame was cut about, engine was cut out of another frame, after 18miles from new
R10071B-2237X1970/71BGA216AucklandNew ZealandOrange. Complete and running
R10231B-2238X1971BGA169PerthAustraliaCurrently being restored to original R/E spec after removing Yamaha engine.
R10891B-2249X1974 SolihullEngland

1st saw the bike on Royal Enfield Owners stand at 1990 Stafford Show then owned by Allan Hitchcock. He Sold it in 1991 to John Constable who rebuilt the bike and it was road tested in June 1992 Classic Bike described on the front cover as the Tangerine Dream Raunchy Rickman Interceptor.I next saw the bike advertised for sale in the Classic Bike Magazine when I was working in Saudi in June 1993 and I bought it over the phone from John Constable. I have owned the bike for the last 19 years and only ridden it for 400 miles but I am now 73 so I have reluctantly decided to sell it on to someone who will ride and enjoy.

R10631B-2445XAyrshireScotlandFirst UK registered in Oct 1972, now under restoration by new (third) owner
1B-2482X1970BG708Maldon, EssexEnglandNeed R/H Crankcase
R10371B-2455X1970BG724OxfordshireEnglandOrange, New from Elite Motors, Tooting(Pictured Above with Paperwork)
R10451B-2485XCricklade, WiltsEnglandAcquired from Pitsburg, USA
R10421B-2487X1971BG670CambridgeshireEnglandOrange, Original Dealer-Elite Motors, Tooting
R10491B-2492XSalzgitterGermanywith half-fairing, clip on bars
R10261B-2495XAshby de la ZouchEnglandOrange
R10451B-2516X1972WiltshireEnglandOrange, number 45 out of 138 (Pictured Above)
110841B-2517X1971SomersetEnglandRebuilt 1978. All new parts. Black. Now fitted with an NRE 8 Valve 920cc, moving to a 850cc 90 degree crank NRE engine.
R10831B-2524XMaldon, EssexEnglandGenuine complete bike from Canada, missing silencers and brake pedal only done 6,000 miles, not registered yet in this country
1107RE1B-2534X1971BGA211CumbriaEnglandSame colour scheme as your illustration  ie Red & white toolbox
1971Ashby de la ZouchEnglandSpare Engine From USA
R11161971Fort Atkinson, Wi.USABought new in Canada, still ride it.
R11211B-2543X1971/1970BGA293Chicago areaUSA2K miles
R11241B-2546XMinnesotaUSA
R11221B-2547X1971 EssexEnglandAll original except tyres and some engine internals. I’m told it was discovered that the engine had been very poorly put together, which probably explains why the original owner (in California) only put 900 miles on it before ‘retiring’ it as a museum piece. It has recently been overhauled by a UK expert, and now runs really well, and is surprisingly smooth for a big parallel twin.
R11111B-2546X1971BGA310HamiltonNew ZealandStill in tidy original condition, 35000km
R11281B-2553XRaglanWalesReturned from USA, 2000 miles on clock
R11211B-2555X1971ChicagoUSARickman Rear sets, Interceptor Pipes w/open megaphones
R11191B-2566XNewark, DelawareUSAI purchased new. 3056 orig miles. For sale to hi bid.
1B-2567XCopenhagenDenmarkEngine purchased from Rickman late 70, Converted to MK2
1B-2574XRosslandCanadaSpare Engine
1971 JanAAG 7OntarioCanadaEngine only
R1034CambridgeshireEngland1967 MK1A Engine, Built from new parts, Alloy Cylinders
R1130Layton, UtahUSALast one made, I think.