Rickman Commando

Chris said:
Hi all

My friend Steve forwarded a photo today, the Rickmans engine laid out on the bench ready for rebuilding :D

All the best Chris
Rickman Commando
Click to expand...

EEK!

Have you had that crank rebalanced now?
 
But white finger was so fetching on you Steve :D

Yep should be better however I didn't find it bad :roll: just engines with steel rods feel harsher somehow.
Anyway we shall see, as long as its not where it drives it will be fine.

I will list the specs next time.

All the best Chris
 
Hi all

Well, well,well. What have we here! One engine, built by my friend Steve & delivered to Brands (he was collecting some single spares) Collected & delivered to me by my friend Charlie who was parading his Rob North. Great friends thanks
Rickman Commando
 
Engine in. Must write it up, engine in from the timing side. Slack rear engine plates, removal of inlet rocker box & stud to clear the top frame rails & in she goes. One spacer to make, clutch parts to source.

Chris
Rickman Commando
 
Assuming you can see the picture.....this is how Rickman intended you to mount the engine, working with Paul Dunstall and an Atlas they put the weight of the crank etc. as far forward and low as possible, keeping more weight over the front wheel. With Maney cases this involved quite a bit of work with the Dremel! and some on the TTi gearbox too! Not for the faint hearted maybe? But I like the result.
 

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Hi Gortnipper haha that made me laugh, although I am loving yhe yellow.

Eddie Was'nt a shy retiring colour? enough of a clue? lol

Steve as you know Never was an Atlas frame & yours just is not very yellow. lol.

Started sanding down the timing cover this evening.

Chris
 
Rickman Commando
I have lost more weight this year than is good for me! Rather the bike holds togeather than snatch a few onces. Mind you I love the thought of drilling all my bolts & scolloping the heads out. lol The timing cover is well battered & scratched. Probably not been down the road but well used.

Chris

Eddie for you (traditional colours)
Rickman Commando
 
Chris the Dresda looks awesome!

Not sold on the tank or seat though matey. I’d be tempted to talk to Dave, found out exactly what it had and see if he can supply the ‘correct’ bodywork for it. It won’t be that costly and would be the ‘icing on the cake’.

Is it destined for road or track?
 
Hi Eddie

Fi glass of Edenbridge tank & seat from a Suzuki T500. Nearly works, lovely upholstery work on the duel seat (yours truly) As is ie original paint work, worn, fairing in white fibreglass No money for paint. This is really the first build, I just wanted to get it all togeather & out at Donnington.
Photo is of Phil Godfeys & Phil Davenports bike. Richard Pecket does not have any parts for it. I needed an oil tank as I never found mine! Not spoken to Dave for many years. I would love my bike to look like this but it wont happen for many years. Going to try & do Lucey Lervis & Beezuph with the triples.

all the best Chris
Rickman Commando
 
Hi Steve Lurcy Levis the Ton Up clubs do. 6 15 minute track sessions per day over the weekend with BBQ on the Friday. All for 250 Euro. Lots of great bikes, no post classics lol

Chris
 
Hi all

Well one step forward two steps back. Sorted out the timing cover, rubbed it down & gave it a polish. Then found out I didn't have anyone oil seals in the spares box! Order placed with Andover, however the list grew quite a bit.
Front pulley a 36 tooth 40mm job had previously been pushed up against the cases, a screw on the back dug in & locked up the motor. Well the taper is just wrong, just sloppy as if the taper has been cut to early! I think if 5mm was cut off the back the taper would be in the right place. Doesn't really matter as the Woodruff key rolled when it locked up & has buggered up the keyway! Anyone got one spare?
Dug out the clipons that my mate has milled from 34mm to 34.5mm for me. Stripped the front end, oil replaced, clipons fitted, bottom home bolted up, fork nuts fitted, handle bars bolted into the Clamps. I was well pleased, until I noticed that the clutch side had a crack down the casting mark! S**t, still better now than on the race track. I will be looking for another pair of clipons probably need to get some made with extensions on the front. Probably welded steel

All the best Chris
 
Last edited:
Degens alway advocated fabricated steel yokes and clip ons Chris, due to the fact that steel is just so much stronger and less likely to fail. In fairness, his yokes were lighter than alloy jobs too!

I had an alloy top yoke break on me at Cadwell, caused a right pile of scrap that did! And a hospital trip...

So, despite how frustrating it feels, it really is a God-send that you spotted that crack now matey.
 
I was involved in running historic championships a few years ago. One guy had taken a mould off a set of steel fork yokes and had them cast out of aluminium. The whole front end fell off his bike during a race - he was unhurt. Fork yokes are expensive and with race frames it is critical to get the offset correct . What might look right, often is not. You will often see comments about how various frames handle, usually the effect of yoke offset is ignored. With a featherbed frame, because of the steep rake changing the offset is almost impossible, they are what they are. Rickman's and Seeleys are different.
 

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