1970 Triumph Trophy

139031

Clear

English Southerners Don and Derek Rickman raced scrambles throughout the United Kingdom, and even into Continental Europe, in the 1950s; they were both often winners. By the end of the decade, however, they had not fallen in love with any of the new scrambles models from either the 'big' or little 'players' and so they decided to make their own competition frame. It arrived in March of 1959 and it was stunning. It was properly strong, lightweight and both aesthetically pleasing and beautifully made from drawn steel Reynolds tubing with masterful welding. Importantly, they gave it a memorable name – Metisse – which roughly translated from French means 'mongrel.' And a number of proprietary engines and gearboxes – as in Triumph and BSA - could be installed in it. Most fortunately it was a winner on the dirt 'out of the box.' Orders rolled in for their quality nickel-plated frame and fiberglass bodywork kits and soon there was need for a business plan and a factory. By the mid-1960s the Rickman brothers were running one of the most successful - both street and competition - frame manufacturing companies in the world. By the mid-1970s Don and Derek's storm was over – they had conquered both the 'old and new' world and it was time to leave their massive North American motocross and desert racing reputation behind – having been 'copied' by the might of the European and Japanese industries. By the mid-1980s they had sold out.Is this lightly (and only temporarily) modified a street tracker, a scrambler, or what; whatever, few bikes will thrill and awe you as this over-caffeinated special. This classic street-legal Metisse off-road racer – originally imported through Steen's of Alhambra, California - oozes high performance for it is powered by a modified Triumph T120 twin (originally 650 cc) engine now displacing 750 cc because of its very rare Chantland 'big bore' alloy cylinder kit. Chantland Cycle's (Bob Chantland of Coon Rapids, Minnesota) alloy cylinder block was an excellent period kit with a strong reputation for speed and reliability and is easily distinguished by its shaped fins which match the cylinder head's contours. The head was lightly ported and has cams from Jim Dour's Megacycle (San Rafael, California) installed as well as a finned auxiliary rocker oiler. It runs a single Amal carburetor head for better low-end response and consistent tuning. It also features an as-rare-as-it-is-reliable, direct-drive (as opposed to the more common belt drive), ARD magneto, and an even rarer ACK alternator-delete primary cover developed for Jim Rice and Dick Mann when they were flat-tracking their Triumph Twins. Sun rims are a quality upgrade relaced by Buchanan Spokes & Rims. Tires are Pirelli Scorpions. The bar/riser combination is known as the 'Steve McQueen set-up', for its comfortable rise and pullback. Both the headlight and taillight are correct period fixtures but with LED bulbs and now powered by a constant loss system using a small 12-volt battery under the seat. The Supertrapp mufflers are tunable and removable. The bike's tail section was signed by Derek Rickman at the Rickman brother 2008 induction into the MC Hall of Fame at Mid-Ohio. It is offered with an additional 3-gallon desert tank as well as a second, unsigned red tailpiece. Even the full compliment of swingarm pivot eccentrics is included. The bike is sold on an Arizona title with one reassignment. I will help with shipping nationally or internationally. The pricing was established by the motorcycle appraisers at Bonham's and if the bike does not sell here, you will have an opportunity again to buy it at their popular Las Vegas auction in January (albeit with a 15% buyer's fee).