Rickman Commando

Thanks for the photos, never seen one before, now I've seen two.
Without trying to start a debate on frames, I'd be interested in your thoughts, on the Rickman.
Both running Mk2 Amals.
Must have been great for your mate to be able to find a previously owned bike, or frame, we don't often get that opportunity.
AC.

Once on a cycle one's fate is not fully in ones hands. Any excess asshes can just be flushed as likely too toxic to put on the garden. I've got an extra Combat but my brother didn't live to ride with me so out to get away with what ever till I don't.

Two Rickman's in one swell swoop was an eye full and education for me too.
Bad to the bone long in tooth push rod go getters.

Love it!

AussieCombat said:

Thanks for the photos, never seen one before, now I've seen two.
Without trying to start a debate on frames, I'd be interested in your thoughts, on the Rickman.
Both running Mk2 Amals.
Must have been great for your mate to be able to find a previously owned bike, or frame, we don't often get that opportunity.
AC.

Click to expand...

Mick was very happy with the handling qualities of the frame. He did have a couple issues with the frame, though. One was the broken swing arm I already mentioned, and the other was the lower frame tubes breaking at the steering head. This is a picture showing where the tubes broke, and were welded, as well as the braces Mick welded in to prevent it happening again. It also shows what sort of conditon the bike was in when it was dropped of at my place.



This is a picture of the engine right after I pulled the head. That's rust, in case you're curious. I think someone must have washed the bike with a garden hose and filled the exhaust pipe! It was also full of rust. Yes, it did require oversize pistons.



I should that this was a later frame, built to order for Mick somewhere in the late '80s or early '90s, not one of the original series in the '70s. He had been racing a Seeley with Commando engine for many years, and the frame had broken so many times he thought it was time to start with a new one.

Ken

If only the big twin rubber baby buggy could handle anything w/o fracturing frame and fraying pilot nerves. Men of Iron on frail steel steeds leaves me twitching.

Yes I remember that bike and being on the track with it - and building the swing arm for it after the original failed near the axel. You can see in the photo that the shock mounts I made extend all the way to the eccentric axel adjuster. The original broke just before the axel and I don't think it had eccentrics. Mic was very impressed with the handling - thought it handled much better that the Seeley and that makes me wonder why someone doesn't make them now (hint hint frame crafters). Just need some bracing near the steeringhead as Mic added. I also remember Mic saying he raised the ports when porting the head and getting his best performance.

Hi , here is my ex Rickman,

I think I saw that bike at Willow Springs last week, is that the one the anouncer said blew a head gasket & was looking for one??