Rickman Kawasaki Z1

[elr658]

You are correct, the frames were brazed.

[iancr900]

my rickman,taken on a trip in France.Great bikes!

[Tod]

Welcome Ian.

You're right, nice bikes, and your's is quite a looker too.

[iancr900]

Thanks Tod,the pics are 3 years old and it's not looking so shiny now. But the engine is still pulling when it hits the red line at 140mph(and I chicken out) and as steady as a rock.

[D-Day]

Great looking bike. How many gallons does that big ol' tank hold?

[iancr900]

Its not as big as it looks,its a fibreglass shell over a steel tank.Up untill recently road bikes had to have steel tanks in the UK. its styled to mimic the Rickman race bikes(which did have fibreglass tanks)
The single seat tank is 4 imperial gallons
dual seat tank is 3 and a half(or at least thats what it says in the book)
Riding at a steadyish 70-80mph I can do about 120miles before going onto reserve.

[StarGate]

Originally Posted by D-Day

Great looking bike. How many gallons does that big ol' tank hold?

I was thinking the same thing. Looks like it would hold 6 gal.

[rstnick]

Love the Rickmans. Ever since I bought the Rickman fairing I have, I've followed any info I could on the Rickmans.

Here's a Rickman 1000 I saw just a few weeks ago that I think was for sale, but can't remember where:


This Rickman Honda 750 belongs to a guy I see at a Sunday meet near me:

[Donald Branscom]

Originally Posted by elr658

The frame is made of nickle plated Reynolds 531 tubing. Only chopper builders and idiots chrome a frame because it causes hydrogen embrittlement and it will fracture.

The Metzeler ME33 Laser tire on the front of that bike is oriented correctly. I have mounted HUNDREDS of them (including about fifty on my own bikes, as that is all I ran for about 20 years)

DR House, you better go back to school or stop taking drugs.
Hydrogen enbrittlement is caused when oily substances get in the weld from not cleaning properly. Many chrome frame motorcycles have won many motorcycle races in the world.
Why do you think chromoly is the best steel? ....Because it has the highest chrome content.

[dsmack]

Mr. Branscomb ~ You know little of what you speak. Plus, you do it in a confrontational manner!

elr658 is a member of long-standing who does know his subject matter, and has always been willing to share his hard won expertise with us here on this forum.

Hydrogen embrittlement is a well known and extensively documented problem as a result of chrome plating steel. I would respectfully suggest that you spend a few moments with Google or another search engine to improve your knowledge on the subject.

After you've done that, how about coming back here and apologizing to elr658?

Ride safely (don't do it on a chromed frame!)
Don

[Bad Kaw]

Any more Rickman pics? My collection is growing.

-KR

[caferacer100]

Hi, I may be able to help, I have had a rickman for many years and know most of the history of these. What do u want to know?

[rstnick]

Bad Kaw, you've asked for it:

[rstnick]

Some more:

[rstnick]

[rstnick]

The Ricman brothers and a CR750:




The above CR750 and my KZ650:

[cbxbikenut]

If you have any other questions, I might be able to answer them too. I still have a Rickman Kawasaki. I have had it since 1976.

By the way the red Honda version does not have a Rickman chassis, only fiberglass bits they made. And the green Kawasaki number 30 isn't a Rickman either. I am pretty sure it is a factory endurance bike.

Herb

[rstnick]

Here's a video I shot of the CR750 on you tube:
YouTube - Rickman Honda 750

[vinnye]

The tubing mentioned by ELR658 (Reynolds 531) was for a long time considered to be about the best that you could use for a motorcycle frame. It may still be!
Has great strength and low weight. If the frame dimensions are good - then that stuff will improve the handling / stability of many motorcycles.
The Rickman brothers certainly knew what worked when it came to frames.

[Bad Kaw]

rstnick: As always my brother: YOU DA MAN! Now that's what I call propper "porn"! Thanks buddy!
-KR