When Japanese power met British chassis know-how, the result was a great motorcycle, like the 1977 Rickman Kawasaki CR900 CR-Z1 recently sold on eBay.
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Power and Control
Japanese motorcycle manufacturers mastered engine design and production in the 1970s. But, Japanese bikes did not accelerate, brake, or change direction very well. The Italians and British, on the other hand, understood these three key areas.
Builders like Italy’s Bimota offered kits—a frame with improved geometry, wheels, suspension, and brakes—so owners could transform their powerful but unwieldy Japanese machines into well-mannered and refined motorcycles. The British had a mini-industry of engineers, namely Spondon, Harris, and Rickman, producing similar kits.
Starting in the 1960s, brothers Don and Derek Rickman, keen off-road racers, designed enhanced frames and suspension kits for British bikes. When the Japanese engine revolution came about in the 1970s, they switched predominantly to Kawasaki and Honda products.
Each Is Unique
The Rickmans sold their kits to bike builders, who assembled their machines as they liked. No two were alike. The Kawasaki sold on eBay came from a late stage in production and featured incredibly rare and equally cool Lester wheels. The iconic, air-cooled 900-cc Kawasaki engine was reportedly in its original, unaltered condition, which added to the appeal.
This evocative machine was available because the seller wanted to thin out a 130-strong collection. Prior to its current ownership, it was lovingly displayed for years as part of the prestigious James Vandergriff Collection - opens in new window or tab.. As such, its remarkable condition and recorded mileage of just 2,760 come as no surprise.
Also unsurprising, the Rickman was said to be original and unrestored. Only the bodywork was sympathetically renovated and looks spectacular in black with gold trim. The Kawasaki engine - opens in new window or tab., nickel-plated Rickman frame, Lester wheels, and distinctive SuperTrapp exhaust - opens in new window or tab. were all present and correct. That’s good news. Replacing them would be a challenge.
Sounds Sweet
With bikes that have spent much of their life in storage, there’s always the threat of the fuel system suffering from inaction. The seller had this attended to, and there was a brief video of the Rickman running and sounding very sweet. The rest of the images are a treat for rare bike fans. They show the many hand-made parts, some of which display the faint golden tinge of nickel coating.
The Rickman Kawasaki CR900 CR-Z1 has rightly gone down in history as one of the coolest and best of the in-period cafe racers - opens in new window or tab.. The frame and the engine were the very best you could get. A good one like this would be a special thing to cherish.
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