1971 Rickman Metisse “Wasp” Triumph 650

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Price: 4,900.00 GBP

650 cc Wasp motorcycle born 19th May 1971 and sold to John Calender. Robin Rhind-Tutt built this frame to take a pre-unit Triumph engine and Norton gearbox which is still the current set up, the engine being a 1959 unit. Robin had an aircraft technology background and certain design features such as the micro adjustment of the rear wheel and bracing of the headstock set it apart from the basic Metisse. Wasp Motorcycles still exist as a company and everything is still available. It started life as a competition bike in Wasps heyday when they had International acclaim. It then became a road bike but was laid up long ago. As the history of the bike is known re-registering it is a formality as the V5 has been lost ( originally an A suffix bike ).

The bike is complete, as can be seen in the images but requires commissioning. Compression is excellent, a good spark and it fires up. The glass fibre fuel tank, although holding fuel, has suffered from ethanol attack and needs replacing. The Gold Star rear wheel needs the bearings replacing, bearings supplied with bike. I would describe it as a very presentable oily rag machine, with character.

I am getting too old for this sort of thing and there is no point in keeping it if I can’t kick it without becoming exhausted.

I used to go green-laning in the early 80,s on a pre-unit solo Wasp and the handling was brilliant. Subsequently I have owned several Rickmans but the Wasp was always my favourite go-to bike.

The bike is original, not a replica, hand built by the designer in his Berwick St James workshop. It would be great to see it fly again.

With a little bit of a clean up and some minor tinkering, this Wasp will always be the centre of attention.

Buyer collects or I will help with your courier.

Bank transfer payment please.