Topic: 1974 Rickman Honda

[BenelliSEI]

Christmas and New Year are done. Time to get back in the shop. Planning to bring home my new project I bought in December (Merry Christmas to Me!). The Rickman has been Club and Vintage Racing, very successfully, in Ontario for ever. I first saw it in the late 80’s. Hasn’t been on track for 12+ years, but the PO just wouldn’t sell. He had a change of heart and called me first.

No road equipment, modified twin disc front end, full race motor, Rickman central oil tank and cooler. Not sure what the plans are, but as it comes with all the original parts (including the complete front end, and wheels), likely back to the street....... SUGGESTIONS WELCOME, updates soon.

[SF]

Awesome......love hearing about the history of old bikes.....do you know of any wins or records with this bike and on what tracks?


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[PeWe]

Full stock street version look and sell the race parts that can fund rhe restore if getting right money?
Engine can have better power than a weak stocker.
836, ported head and a fun cam with good bottom torque. CB750 stock carbs OK.

[JoeCooley]

First and foremost, good luck with the project. I hope you bring it back to factory beauty.

There are a few things wrong with the bike. The fuel tank is incorrect for the Honda. The upper tripple tree is incorrect. That beer bottle vapor tank?

I have a spare fiberglass tank that is correct. Its in good shape but needs some paint. Shoot me a PM if you're interested.

[BenelliSEI]

Joe...... I believe I am getting all the original bodywork, and tank. A previous owner made a very professional set of molds, of all the ‘glass components. I’ll share photos when it all gets home. The front end (and twin brakes) were a racing modification. I have the complete, original front forks, brake, disc and wheel. The rear footpeg/pipe mounts and loops, were cut off years ago, but he even kept them! It will be a long job, but will be huge fun! Bringing it home tomorrow.

[JoeCooley]

Joe...... I believe I am getting all the original bodywork, and tank. A previous owner made a very professional set of molds, of all the ‘glass components. I’ll share photos when it all gets home. The front end (and twin brakes) were a racing modification. I have the complete, original front forks, brake, disc and wheel. The rear footpeg/pipe mounts and loops, were cut off years ago, but he even kept them! It will be a long job, but will be huge fun! Bringing it home tomorrow.

That's great if you get all the stuff! It'll be well worth the work to save this rare specimen of 70s race bike goodness.

[BenelliSEI]

Got it all home today and my back is aching! Filled my 4’ X 8’ trailer and the JEEP Cherokee.  In addition to the motorcycle I got about 10 big totes filled with parts. Barrels, pistons, rods, clutches, gear stacks, alloy sprockets, even a full crate of comp. cams. The original Rickman front end seems complete, got a wheel and disc assembly too. Couldn’t find the front caliper, then realized it’s part of the pair on the bike. I have to got back tomorrow. The guy has steel racking in his garage with six “spare” engines (all stock units, pulled from bikes over the years) and a fantastic set of moulds he made for every Rickman ‘glass component. Opened one carton and found three new screens (one tinted and two clear). Gaskets, new bearings, rings, chains..... I’ve got a few weeks of sorting. I’m sure some will go in the metal scrap bin, but at first glance, not much. More later.

[754]

Whoo hoo good on you , is the Rickman fork 38 mm or 41 mm...1 5/8 .?

[PeWe]

Sounds like winning on lottery!
Parts for more builds, just find frames with registration.

[BenelliSEI]

754....... still dragging boxes around, will measure the forks tomorrow. A few years ago, I bought a freshly restored K6. Owner never got it to run right. Carbs and a full tune, ran great! Put about 10 miles on it and it’s sitting parked with my K7 and K8. The Rickman came with three ‘76 engines and one of them is only a few hundred numbers off my K6 frame number. The fresh motor in my K6 is a ‘74, so I think I’ll shift it over to the Rickman and build the spare for the K6! Anyone want a full race CB750 engine?

[seanbarney41]

yes. please.

[BenelliSEI]

Only thing missing on the engine is the CR carbs. He lent them to another racer and they never came back! Once I confirm what is inside, I may list it........

[754]

Yeah I want a hypo 750 or 836 or 915 or 980..

[PeWe]

Cams like RC295, Yoshi Daytona ... Perfect for street!

[BenelliSEI]

The vintage race group here allows stock engine size + 10%. This one is just over 800 c.c.

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Probably 812 Yoshimura. The pistons would have "POPSY" or "POPY" cast near the piston pin.

[BenelliSEI]

Got started this afternoon. Bike went up on the table, removed the seat and fairing and started to check things out. Tank off, it has a electronic ignition, kill switch, rev limiter and a tach. Small battery in the seat tail, total loss system. Snipped a few zip ties and bagged the whole thing. The Rickman oil tank is centrally mounted (where the battery sits on a Honda). Two long hoses run to an oil cooler where the headlight normally sits. Drained the lines and cooler and hung them up. Carbs off and it’s almost ready to pull the engine. Checked over the original front forks, disc, brake and wheel. Looks all complete and ready to fit, including the speedo drive. It’s the 41mm size.

The frame has no crushed tubes, or major scares. The rear hoops (for passenger foot pegs and pipe mounts) have been removed, but I have them. Mounts for the original battery box, horn and rear turn signals have disappeared. Next step will be to install a stock K motor, the original front end, and mock the entire bike back together, in road trim. I’ll try and remember to take pictures!

[hondaron]

Speedo drive is off the front wheel ?

I thought all Rickman's were off the rear wheel ?

[JoeCooley]

Wow! It really sounds like you hit a treasure trove!

Speedo drive is off the front wheel ?

I thought all Rickman's were off the rear wheel ?

It should be off the rear with a long cable that goes to the gauge.

[BenelliSEI]

The speedo drive parts are bagged and attached to the original front forks, so I just assumed! I’ll pull all the bits and check how they go (on the back wheel!).

I was thinking about this project last night and suddenly  occurred to me the centre and side stand brackets have been shaved off too. No wonder this thing is so easy to push around......

[BenelliSEI]

Here’s where I am so far. I have a fresh K4 motor, so I think I will sell the race motor, and use the K4.  The Rickman oil tank is interesting, may shorten the hoses (eliminate the oil cooler) and use it......

[MauiK3]

Radical looking motor, I wonder how much power it made.

[BenelliSEI]

They never dyno’d, too busy racing! Based on the Championships Stuart won, I’d say “adequate”! Not sure if you can see it, but there are no “chicken stripes” on the old Avon tires. He used them up, right to the edge...... Drained the oil lines, sump and filter today. The filter was spotless (no sparkle), so I’m assuming it’s “ready to race”. Anyone interested?

[seanbarney41]

Did you not get a log book listing modifications and tuning info?

[scottly]

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