1973 Rickman Metisse Zundapp: A Classic British-German Dirt Racer
Motorcycles & ATVs
Motorcycles
The 1973 Rickman Metisse Zundapp recently listed on eBay Motors is a motocross classic. It also represents an unusual alliance between Britain and Germany in post-World War II Europe.
Brothers Don and Derek Rickman were well known in the 1950s world of motocross racing, both inside and away from their native England. In the late 1950s, they began modifying BSA motorcycles for enhanced performance. That sideline soon became the family business, employing more than 100 workers in a shop in Milton, about 45 miles northwest of London.
Although the business originally focused on making frame kits, the Rickmans knew that they needed to progress to complete bikes for commercial success. Since the British motorcycle industry wouldn’t sell engines to them, they looked for sources outside the country. In the early 1970s, Rickman’s alliances with Kawasaki and Honda yielded some of the most beautiful and best-performing early four-cylinder models. eBay Motors is well-stocked with Rickman-related motorcycle parts and accessories - opens in new window or tab..
But the Rickmans were dirt racers at heart, so their passion remained in the two-cylinder, two-stroke world.
A sales brochure for the Rickman's 1973 Zundapp Montesa
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Original sales brochure for Rickman 125 Zundapp Rickman Mettise
Zundapp was a German motorcycle manufacturer known for innovation, including the flat four-cylinder engine Honda adopted for its 1974 Gold Wing motorcycle, as well as its collaboration with Ferdinand Porsche on the original Volkswagen.
After World War II, Zundapp relocated from Nuremberg to Munich and shifted its focus from the street to enduro bikes. Dave Ekins, brother to famous stuntman Bud Ekins, raced a 100cc Zundapp to victory at the 1967 Greenhorn Enduro, beating competitors on much larger motorcycles. Belgian motorcyclist Andre Malherbe won the European motocross championships in 1973 and 74 racing 125cc Zundapps.
In 1971, the Rickman brothers signed a contract with Zundapp to supply them with 125cc engines for enduro bikes destined for the American market. Thanks to the influx of new Japanese models such as the Honda XL250 and Yamaha DT-1, interest in motocross and all-things dirt was booming.
1973 Rickman Metisse Zundapp
The 1971 Rickman Zundapp Metisse was an instant success, despite its relatively high selling price of $850. The Metisse frames, with their Lockheed disc brakes - opens in new window or tab., Ceriani forks - opens in new window or tab., and Girling shocks - opens in new window or tab. were darlings of the motocross world, with champion riders including Bill Ivy, Alan Barnett, and Kel Carruthers.
At one point, Rickman sales reached 4,000 bikes per year, and the brothers’ exporting success earned them the Queen’s Award to Industry in 1974. Unfortunately, the Metisse’s high asking price limited its commercial success, forcing the Rickmans to branch out into other areas including kit cars. The Rickman brothers sold their company in the mid-1980s. But to those in the know, the beautifully crafted and potent Rickman Metisse Zundapp remains a coveted collectible.
The 1973 bike recently listed on eBay Motors is located in Texas. Except for needing a carburetor cleanup, it’s ready to ride.
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