Rickman Kawasaki Z1

[Svetlana]

Anyone have any information about these Rickman Z1's? Here's a pic to refresh any memories...

[KwakaKZ1000]

Never seen anything like that before but, it is a cool looking bike.

[Gpz1100]

Only Rickman Z's I've seen had full body fairings. Never saw a nekkid one before. Looks good both ways. You lookin to get one?

[Gpz1100]

Like this

[elr658]

You might not believe this now, but once upon a time Kawasakis WEREN'T known for handling, They were accused of wobbling even with the key in your pocket. But they made huge power. Even back then 125 HP was easily attainable with a Z motor. But not in that bamboo frame. English brothers Don and Derek Rickman had a long history of building frames for the leading motors of the day. Triumph 650s, Royal Enfields. They were reknowned for handling. They built units for motocross and street use. They were made of nickle plated Reynolds 531. I believe Rickmans are still available in Blighty. It took the ELR before you could even mention Kawasaki and roadholding in the same sentence.

[Svetlana]

I knew you fellas would come through for me on this one!

The model I attached was, I believe, a '77. And yes I read about the storied past of the British Rickman brothers. Very nice additional info elr! And Gpz, I hadn't seen the full fairing model, so thx for that!

I'm not particularly in the market for one (well, ok... I could be persuaded eventually LOL), but I was really wondering how common they are. Are these difficult to come by or otherwise?

[W-P Bill]

Originally Posted by Svetlana

I'm not particularly in the market for one (well, ok... I could be persuaded eventually LOL),

You absolutely do NOT want to go that route. If you ever tempted by a Rickman Kwaka at a decent price, let me know right away. I'll rush over and buy it before you do something you'll regret for the rest of your life. Kind of like pulling you back from the edge of a cliff.

[D-Day]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1975-...QQcmdZViewItem

[dogdragon]

If you want more info Svetlana, try this link....
http://www.realclassic.co.uk/books/books05031700.html
All your ever need about the brothers. They made frames for many engines, fairings and even designed top box's and the like.
My friend used to own a rickman Norton 850commando very nice machine it was too.
Si

[Rick_in_P.A Wa.]

Rickman ~ANYTHING~ is huge on the cool scale, I had a rickman 750 honda, back in the day, my pop always refered to the rickmans as the working guys bimota

[Svetlana]

Wonderful info gentlemen! Si, thanks for that link. I have read up a bit on their Triumphs and Norton's and I was quickly impressed

Rick- YA! That's what I'm thinking too!

DD- that green is pretty sweet- $7k isn't steep. That's why I wondered if these were not very reliable, etc. But certainly they seem to be great by most accounts. And, they look stunning

W-P Mwuhahaha!

[cdn.zx.Glen]

They seem to be worth 5 figures on ebay...

[arobsum]

did rickman put the rear brake caliper on the bottom like that? i have a 77' kz1000 and mine is on the top. i have never seen one on the bottom.

[elr658]

Bet you never saw Lockheed brakes on one either.

[dogdragon]

Glad you found the link useful, I did makse a slight mistake though, the Norton I was thinking of was Dresda not a Rickman.
Glad you brought the subject up though, I've just been going my old books and found a photo of the Rickman Interceptor 736 which used the Royal Enfield parallel twin, (1970)
Sorry but copyright (and the fact that my scanner can't cope with books) stops me from sharing the photo with you.
Have fun
Si

[78_KZ750_Cafe]

That headlight needs to be lowered but I dig that chrome frame.

[kawah1c]

I doubt that the bike will ever see it, but the speedo on the Rickman tops at 300 km/h (186 mph)

[dbthump]

Isn't that front tire on backwards?

[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)

[dogdragon]

Hmm, head Uncle Bunt ever chroming a frame, but never mind, he wouldn't even weld as such, only braize (8 guage tubing), welding melts thin tubing.
Don't know chopper builders you know, I know you know your machines though.