Author Topic: 1974 Rickman Honda (Read 43580 times)

newday777 · « **Reply #375 on:** November 11, 2023, 10:26:53 AM »

Very cool to find one that close to go and look over. Have a fun visit with him.

BenelliSEI · « **Reply #376 on:** November 11, 2023, 05:27:17 PM »

Stu…. Incredible good fortune and he seems like a really good guy on the phone too. I’m in no rush, focusing on the K6. Despite getting the cast off her shattered ankle (replaced by an air filled “walking boot”) my wife is still using her “wheelie chair”. I probably won’t be getting a day off anytime soon. Long winter, so no rush!

RAFster122s · « **Reply #377 on:** November 11, 2023, 08:19:55 PM »

I didn't shatter an ankle but had a 98% rupture of right Achilles tendon and was on crutches for about 9 months. Was 18-24 months before it was sound again with some permanent damage (nerve and lost range of movement) from the accident that caused it. So, I can relate to your wife's reduced mobility.
Hope she recovers fully and is back to her usual activities and self come spring. Imagine she has several months of physical and occupational therapy to rehab the ankle fully when she transitions to weight bearing.

BenelliSEI · « **Reply #378 on:** November 11, 2023, 08:53:01 PM »

She actually blew it out the side when she landed…… fortunately she is extremely fit and is making excellent progress!

newday777 · « **Reply #379 on:** November 12, 2023, 01:13:12 AM »

Quote from: BenelliSEI on November 11, 2023, 08:53:01 PM

She actually blew it out the side when she landed…… fortunately she is extremely fit and is making excellent progress!

Good to hear she is progressing well!!

BenelliSEI · « **Reply #380 on:** April 06, 2024, 05:59:14 AM »

I stumbled on a 1971 cb750 speedometer. I’d like to use it on this project as it has the built in warning lamps. Anyone have a reasonably priced tach to match?

RAFster122s · « **Reply #381 on:** April 14, 2024, 01:57:21 AM »

How do you tell a 71 from other years, of course redline tells you on the tach between one for a cb750 or cb550 …
That one is in mph John , when did Canada go metric? (Curious)

newday777 · « **Reply #382 on:** April 14, 2024, 04:33:28 AM »

Quote from: RAFster122s on April 14, 2024, 01:57:21 AM

How do you tell a 71 from other years, of course redline tells you on the tach between one for a cb750 or cb550 …
That one is in mph John , when did Canada go metric? (Curious)

This is a 71 set. Note that there are warning lights in the tach and speedometer.

BenelliSEI · « **Reply #383 on:** April 14, 2024, 06:11:25 AM »

Quote from: RAFster122s on April 14, 2024, 01:57:21 AM

How do you tell a 71 from other years, of course redline tells you on the tach between one for a cb750 or cb550 …
That one is in mph John , when did Canada go metric? (Curious)

Sept. 1977. The very early speedo/tachs had plastic housings and lenses. Brake fluid played havoc with then. The K1 (1971) has a metal housing and a glass lense.

Laids · « **Reply #384 on:** April 14, 2024, 02:17:05 PM »

Quote from: BenelliSEI on April 06, 2024, 05:59:14 AM

I stumbled on a 1971 cb750 speedometer. I’d like to use it on this project as it has the built in warning lamps. Anyone have a reasonably priced tach to match?

Got one, let me know if you want it.
Chris

BenelliSEI · « **Reply #385 on:** April 14, 2024, 05:27:23 PM »

Quote from: Laids on April 14, 2024, 02:17:05 PM

Quote from: BenelliSEI on April 06, 2024, 05:59:14 AM
I stumbled on a 1971 cb750 speedometer. I’d like to use it on this project as it has the built in warning lamps. Anyone have a reasonably priced tach to match?

Got one, let me know if you want it.
Chris

PM sent.

BenelliSEI · « **Reply #386 on:** October 16, 2024, 02:10:07 PM »

Pulled the Rickman to “front and centre” today. The fellow that fixed the broken fins on my Sandcast Project has agreed to weld on all the brackets I need to reattach the road equipment. The bike was a racer forever and lots of bits got hacked off…..

It’s strapped tight to a rolling cart to get it to his shop. The engine and carbs are in place, so he can weld in the tabs I made for the airbox mounts on the frame.

BenelliSEI · « **Reply #387 on:** October 16, 2024, 02:11:08 PM »

Also needs brackets for the batt. box and tool tray.

BenelliSEI · « **Reply #388 on:** October 16, 2024, 02:12:52 PM »

I’ve built the side stand as a clamp on, but once he welds it in place the top half and all the bolt tabs can come off. It will look just like the original lug.

BenelliSEI · « **Reply #389 on:** October 16, 2024, 02:13:32 PM »

And a few more brackets!

BenelliSEI · « **Reply #390 on:** October 16, 2024, 02:16:23 PM »

The Cobble Beach Concours d’Elegance organizers are looking for “British Bikes” for next year’s event so I have a deadline! I don’t take my bikes to shows, but that one is so interesting that I’ll make the effort.

bek1966 · « **Reply #391 on:** October 16, 2024, 04:12:34 PM »

Jon,

I'm excited to see your Rickman return to front page news! You did a terrific job bringing the sandcast back to life. I'm looking forward to watching your progress.

Brad

BenelliSEI · « **Reply #392 on:** October 16, 2024, 04:43:11 PM »

Quote from: bek1966 on October 16, 2024, 04:12:34 PM

Jon,

I'm excited to see your Rickman return to front page news! You did a terrific job bringing the sandcast back to life. I'm looking forward to watching your progress.

Brad

Thanks Brad. Stay tuned. I first saw this actual bike in 1977. Watched it Vintage racing for the past 20 years. Determined to get it back on the road!

BenelliSEI · « **Reply #393 on:** November 26, 2025, 04:10:25 PM »

Well…..after a ridiculously long hiatus (Sandcast , cb750K6, grandson’s CR230F, and the 2008 Varadero filled the gap) pulled the covers off the Rickman today and got back on it. I’ve made + a dozen new brackets for airbox, turn signals, key switch, side stand, battery box, and lots of others that the racers removed from the frame. Now the challenge is to remove the bright nickel plating from those areas, in preparation for brazing them back on. Considered having the frame chemically stripped but all the shops I spoke to made me nervous with their general lack of interest.

Tried a small area (key switch bracket) with a new “flap wheel” and hand sanding. Seems to me that will work. Won’t be quick, but at least I can control the results. Most of my pics seem to have disappeared so here is what I started out with.

BenelliSEI · « **Reply #394 on:** November 26, 2025, 04:17:06 PM »

Here’s how it looked after I put the stock front end back on and laced back the original rear rim. It had a big fork and twin brakes from a Moto Guzzi when last raced.

All the trees and fork legs have since been polished and I have to remember how it all goes back together!

BenelliSEI · « **Reply #395 on:** November 26, 2025, 04:19:19 PM »

I initially cobbled it all back together (lots of tape, plumber’s strap, and zip ties) and actually rode it several miles. I sold the race motor and used a correct 1974 cb750 for this build. The Hindle pipe came off a cb750F I did a few years ago and fit perfectly. It also weighs almost nothing, like the rest of the rolling frame. This Rickman will easily be 100lbs lighter than a cb750K4.

Not long ago, I found an NOS Rickman CR road going fairing and I have an original tank. They will ultimately be on the finished bike.

BenelliSEI · « **Reply #396 on:** November 26, 2025, 04:20:33 PM »

As it sits today. The engine is still in the frame as I can’t see any other way to ensure the tabs for the airbox get tacked back in the correct spot!

The racers machined a very thick alloy points cover, to protect the area. I’ve saved it for laying engines over before dropping on a frame.

grcamna2 · « **Reply #397 on:** November 27, 2025, 01:08:28 AM »

News:

Author Topic: 1974 Rickman Honda (Read 43580 times)