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Need help identify - Rickman Metisse set up with Triumph T100R 500cc

7.8K views 4 replies 4 participants last post by  StuartMac  
#1 ·
Greetings,
I have recently inherited a vintage Triumph motorcycle that I would like to restore over time. I have very little to no experience at all. I am very excited and eager to learn.
I make no claim of knowing anything other than possibly knowing a kick @#! bike when I see one and wanting to learn from folks like the ones on this forum. I come with respect and humility.
This bike belonged to my dad who was a local legend so to speak, we had a wonderful relationship and I’d like to use this project as a way to learn more about the bike and hopefully end up with a new hobby.
With this in mind, I am not interested necessarily with re-sale value or getting in a hurry to complete.
I’d like to do everything I am capable of and comfortable with (which is not much) so I can learn and save some money.
I will identify a local bike shop or individual to help me do the task I can’t or shouldn’t’ be doing.
So. I figure a good place to start is to really identify what I have.
I don’t have a title or a bill of sale. I have what looks like an after sale manual but I am not sure if I trust it matches the actual bike although I think it does.

What I think or was told:
Circa 1970 Rickman Metisse with a Triumph engine. I just can’t remember what year my dad said the was, it really never came up.

This is a Steve McQueen model. I have done research and found a lot of info on this model, but I am not sure of anything. I don’t know the year or if it is really a Rickman Metisse. I lack basic knowledge that I am currently reading about.

Attached are some photos:
As I received it.
(Photo 1) - Not much more than a wipe down

I found 2 numbers on the frame:
(Photo 2) - 46 L
(Photo 3) - 1429

I found these numbers on the Triumph engine:
(Photo 4) - T100R and H65602

Questions:
Are there other VIN type numbers I need to find?
What year model do I have?
What is the proper way to identify this motorcycle?
Based on the photo’s and numbers what can I be sure of?
What else do I need to know about this bike?

Thanks in advance
Bryan
 

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#2 ·
Welcome to the forum Bryan. Brian in Bradenton here.

I am blessed with having Reko's British Restorations in south Manatee County around 6 miles door to door. I'll pick his brain and see if he can recommend a shop in Tampa. He may know your Pops.

S&M Motor Co. is up there in Tampa and has a nice selection of parts and goodies. I don't know if they have a storefront though. I think it's all online sales but they ship quick and cheap. They've nearly bankrupted me!

Smart people abound here and will be very helpful. There was a Metisse thread on here a month or so ago and there seemed to be several knowedgable folks commenting so prepare for more information than you know what to do with!
 
#5 ·
Hi Bryan,

+1.

I found these numbers on the Triumph engine:
(Photo 4) - T100R and H65602
Could well confirm the bike was built by uniting a Rickman frame kit with an engine out of another bike - "T100R" indicates the US-market twin-carb. 500 known as the "Daytona" (named after factory-built racers won the 200 in '66 and '67) while "H65602" indicates a '69-season bike from a batch built in August and September 1968. Your bike looks to have had the twin carbs. and manifolds replaced with a single-carb. manifold from a T100C "Trophy"; you'll find out along a bit if the carb. is to "Trophy" spec. too. :D

You're almost certain to need the parts manual; depending on what you want to do, you might find the workshop manual useful.

I found 2 numbers on the frame:
(Photo 2) - 46 L
(Photo 3) - 1429
Aiui, Pat French at Metisse Motorcycles in GB is likely to know most about these.

Reko's
S&M Motor Co.
MAP at St. Pete.

Hth.

Regards,