Topic: 1974 Rickman Honda

[Tom]

G’day John, I like your projects, I have a few the same on my plate, that have stalled but reading this thread I will have to pull my finger out and get back on it, have a 1975 Rickman CR750 duel seat with mags and twin discs on front, I bought it in 2005 it had a 1000 cc engine but serious oil leaks from sleeves between 1/2 and 3/4 I sold that engine, as I built an RC 970 for my chopper back in the day and had a similar problem. The new engine was going to be 900 but I just bought an old drag bike and it’s full house 73mm 1055cc and that’s my new Rickman engine. Also have a Santee softail chopper project and just sold my Santee hard tail and bought an Amen Savior project on the go. I finished my second Sandcast a couple of years back happy with them. I am in Oz following with interest cheers Tom

[BenelliSEI]

Tom..... nice collection. Covid has delayed some of my stuff. My buddy who is my welder for the CR had Covid. He’s taking a while to recover, so it’s parked. Working the other projects for now.....

[BenelliSEI]

It’s hard to believe a year has passed since any progress on this project. I did stumble on the ”Carlini Chopper and parts bike”, so perhaps a reasonable excuse? My buddy Terry (the superb welder) is feeling much better. We have plans to see him and his wife on December 30 (two coinciding birthdays).

The Rickman frame, and all the bits that need reattaching, are boxed up and ready to go to his shop. I am determined to get him back into “shop mode” and get over there In January, 2022. This bike has been in pieces too long!

[RAFster122s]

The Rickman has brazed frame as you are aware of, make sure the shop you have plate it doesn't try to strip it like they would a chromed frame or part or you will have a nice kit ready to be brazed again...

[BenelliSEI]

The Rickman has brazed frame as you are aware of, make sure the shop you have plate it doesn't try to strip it like they would a chromed frame or part or you will have a nice kit ready to be brazed again...

Yep..... done a lot of research on these frames..... When completed, I may just send it back to England (it’s very light and compact) to be stripped and plated by the firm that is currently doing the Rickman (new) frames..... Their pricing is reasonable and they know what they are doing.

[RAFster122s]

Sounds like a good plan, hopefully shipping won't be as much as a new frame before shipping ...

[PeWe]

No risk that the frame restore  goes wong when it will be returned back to the original shop making it shiny. Rickmans well worth to save. Time pass by very quick.

I have clear memories when I read about new Rickmans in bike magazines, bikes sold outside Stockholm.
Max 1 1/2 hour drive from me.

I should not have sold the Rickman Metisse with a Triumph 650 block engine I bought cheap in parts 1982 and sold a few years later, also cheap still in boxes.

[BenelliSEI]

No risk that the frame restore  goes wong when it will be returned back to the original shop making it shiny. Rickmans well worth to save. Time pass by very quick.

I have clear memories when I read about new Rickmans in bike magazines, bikes sold outside Stockholm.
Max 1 1/2 hour drive from me.

I should not have sold the Rickman Metisse with a Triumph 650 block engine I bought cheap in parts 1982 and sold a few years later, also cheap still in boxes.

PeWe..... too bad you sold the Metisse! Years ago, I found a frame with Bultaco Sherpa T parts bike. Flipped it and made a couple of hundred dollars. Hindsight is always 20/20....

[BenelliSEI]

The race motor that was in this bike when I bought it SOLD, to a nice Forum Member. Sweet!

[BenelliSEI]

Not really working on this one, but yesterday I picked up the fork legs and front hub for the S/C from the polisher. Took the Rickman legs and both top and bottom of the triple tree. They are beautiful, cast alloy. They will look great.

Photo is the cb750 job. Guy does a great job at a very reasonable rate!

[MauiK3]

I’ll say, beautiful job! Will you be coating them? If they aren’t coated here, one trip and the corrosion starts.

[BenelliSEI]

I’ll say, beautiful job! Will you be coating them? If they aren’t coated here, one trip and the corrosion starts.

I usually leave it alone. For +20  years, I raced a 1957 Lotus Eleven in vintage racing. The entire body was unpainted, polished aluminium. Kept it clean with regular wipe downs with Windex and soft paper towel (it evaporates quickly and leaves no streaks). I usually polished about one square foot of the body with Autosol, every evening when I finished working on it! So, the bikes seem relatively small to keep shiny....,. I have seen a few parts sealed up with “clear” powder coat. May try that on a few of the Rickman parts, as a test.

[scunny]

Mothers Mag and aluminum Polish does a good job, it;s easier to look after than autosol,

[BenelliSEI]

Dropped off the rear hub and brake plate for the Sandcast at the polisher today. He did these so next time I want to switch it up, I can work on the Rickman CR750 for a bit!

[BenelliSEI]

The Sandcast engine is pissing me off, so started assembling the Rickman Forks today. Had a great call from a racing buddy I had not heard from for years. He reminded me that even longer ago, we restored a Canadian built, single seat race car that had a chrome moly tube frame. The Stebro Mk.II was built in Montreal by Peter Broeker. First Formula One car to use a FORD engine (US GP at Watkins Glen). My friend has all the skills and equipment to do the final frame tab repairs on the RICKMAN CR. Will head to his shop after Christmas. Get this project back moving!

[grcamna2]

The Sandcast engine is pissing me off, so started assembling the Rickman Forks today. Had a great call from a racing buddy I had not heard from for years. He reminded me that even longer ago, we restored a Canadian built, single seat race car that had a chrome moly tube frame. The Stebro Mk.II was built in Montreal by Peter Broeker. First Formula One car to use a FORD engine (US GP at Watkins Glen). My friend has all the skills and equipment to do the final frame tab repairs on the RICKMAN CR. Will head to his shop after Christmas. Get this project back moving!

This racing buddy you received the call from;will you be passing the Rickman final frame tab repairs over to him now ? 

[andy750]

Mothers Mag and aluminum Polish does a good job, it;s easier to look after than autosol,

Late to this thread I know but from my experience nothing beats Autosol for longevity and durability - been using it for 25 years on the 750s and love how it keeps the chrome looking like new. I did try Mothers polish back in 2004 but couldnt get the same shiny finish as Autosol. What do you mean Scunny by easier to look after? Curious!

[andy750]

The Sandcast engine is pissing me off, so started assembling the Rickman Forks today. Had a great call from a racing buddy I had not heard from for years. He reminded me that even longer ago, we restored a Canadian built, single seat race car that had a chrome moly tube frame. The Stebro Mk.II was built in Montreal by Peter Broeker. First Formula One car to use a FORD engine (US GP at Watkins Glen). My friend has all the skills and equipment to do the final frame tab repairs on the RICKMAN CR. Will head to his shop after Christmas. Get this project back moving!

Serendipity! A call from the blue and it gets you back on the Rickman project! Excellent!

[BenelliSEI]

The Sandcast engine is pissing me off, so started assembling the Rickman Forks today. Had a great call from a racing buddy I had not heard from for years. He reminded me that even longer ago, we restored a Canadian built, single seat race car that had a chrome moly tube frame. The Stebro Mk.II was built in Montreal by Peter Broeker. First Formula One car to use a FORD engine (US GP at Watkins Glen). My friend has all the skills and equipment to do the final frame tab repairs on the RICKMAN CR. Will head to his shop after Christmas. Get this project back moving!

This racing buddy you received the call from;will you be passing the Rickman final frame tab repairs over to him now ? 

He’s 75 miles from my home. I’ll probably go and spend a day with him. I’ve fabricated all the tabs and bits, so may get it done in one visit......

[scunny]

sorry for the late response, I use autosol to get my aluminum to a good finish. then go over again with the mothers. it leaves a nice durable finish.

[BenelliSEI]

sorry for the late response, I use autosol to get my aluminum to a good finish. then go over again with the mothers. it leaves a nice durable finish.

Interesting. I’ll try that out.

[newday777]

sorry for the late response, I use autosol to get my aluminum to a good finish. then go over again with the mothers. it leaves a nice durable finish.

Interesting. I’ll try that out.

[BenelliSEI]

Long video, but interesting. I’ve used Autsol for years and it fared so well, I guess I’m sticking with it.

[Kelly E]

I've polished fork lowers on several bikes. Lately I've been sanding only around the lower, no lengthwise sanding. I can get rid of the deep corrosion pits with 220g then use 320g and finally 400g sandpaper. It leaves a satin finish that is easily touched up with 400g. Mother's chrome polish keeps it looking good. Here's a before and after shot of the 77' KZ 1000 LTD fork lowers.

[andy750]

Very nice work Kelly