Rickman build

[haynes66]

oh, to have money!! i used to call with a mate who had a number of bikes and a Lola T70. i wasnt in the least bit jealous...      keep the pictures coming though.

[captaink]

Update on the Rickman build.
The engine parts are almost complete.   " Just got to build it now "
The cylinders are rebored to suit the big bore kit to 836cc
Heads are completely rebuilt with new F2 valves, guides,  springs etc
New rod bearingsfitted,  new Crankshaft bearings ready to go. New tensioner, cam chain in fact most parts.
Casings have new APE studs fitted and the cam was sent for inspection and found to be in nice condition so just polished.
All the internal parts like primary chains, clutch plates, seals etc are David Silver supplied
Covers polished all shiny !

[captaink]

Almost ready to start the engine build.
virtually All the parts I have now and the machining work has been done.
I have sent the carbs off for total strip, polish and overhaul.

[captaink]

Head is also complete and ready

[yozzer74]

Can I ask were your having your carbs done

[captaink]

Carbs have gone off to the engine machinists I have used
D & M engineering , ask for Dave look them up on net there Honda race engine and bike builders.
Very helpful and do a good job.

Regards keith

[Laverda Dave]

Keith, I have a Honda Rickman CR750 I bought about 20 years ago. 
When I bought it I was told by the seller it was an original S&S tuned bike.  It certainly had the S&S exhaust that was very, very, very loud! Reading the MCN road test of the S&S Rickman from the 70's the registration of my bike is the one directly following the S&S test bike, so maybe it did have all the goodies fitted?  I couldn't check the rest of the engine for any other signs of tuning apart from having a finned alternator cover and the exhaust but as it cost less than 1.5k I wasn't too bothered, it was a genuine CR Rickman
Sadly it has been in bits for at least 10 years following the engine throwing oil from the breather over the rear tyre and bringing a new term to the meaning of 'riding on slicks'.  Its going to be my next restoration after the 400/4 is completed.
I do know from stripping the engine though there are no S&S bits in there, certainly not a big bore kit and wild cams so I guess at some point the original engine went bang and was replaced with another standard engine with the original S&S exhaust fitted.

Where did you get your frame re-nickled and can you divulge how much it cost as this is going to be a major expense in the restoration of mine.  I have been quoted upwards of 500 pounds for a strip, polish and re-nickel.  Most platers I have asked wont even touch it saying either their tank is too small or giving me horror stories of the nickel salts becoming trapped in the frame tubes and rotting the metal from inside out.  The other excuse is the bronze brazing of the frame becomes damaged during the stripping process with the brazing going soft and the frame deforms!  Now you have your frame back have you noticed anything untoward? My own view is if Rickman nickle plated the frames at least 40 years ago and they haven't fallen apart and massive holes haven't appeared in the frame tubes due to nickle salt corrosion they must be ok to strip and re-nickle?
Lovely bike by the way and I look forward to seeing the finished product 
Dave

[captaink]

Hi Dave, sorry for the long delay in replying.
The frame was re nickle by Capital Chroming co in the Old Kent Rd. London S.E. But they didn't want to do it, as you say there tanks are not big enough. They sent the frame away to someone else to strip and they did not tell me who.
It was returned to them,they then polished it as best they could but some of the areas are really not very accessible. They then nickel plated it.
The finish is very good overall but not sure if they would do one again, you need to ask.
I had quite a few bits nickel plated such as the swing arm etc. and quite a lot chrome plated as well as all the ally engine parts polished so not sure how much the frame on its own was. The whole lot was around £ 1400 and took about 4 weeks.

Some updated pictures of the engine build although its a little further along from this now.

[captaink]

The frame overall was very good Dave, as you can see there's other nickel plated parts, these will always turn out nice as there easy to polish.

[Laverda Dave]

They have done a lovely job. That was a company I called a few years ago and they didn't want to do it, you are lucky they did yours! I have a local guy very near to me but he mainly specializes in zinc but he loves bikes and does my stuff for me. Bad news though he doesn't know how much longer he can keep going due to the environmental issues and he doesn't have a tank big enough otherwise he would plate my frame. There was a place I came across at the last Stafford show and they quoted £750ish but they need to see the frame first. I'm not in a hurry as the 400/4 is currently undergoing it's restoration but the Ricky will be next!
The engine rebuild looks amazing, progress is good, ready for summer maybe?
Keep the photos coming, great to see it all coming together.

[captaink]

engine is coming together although after fitting the rockers realised I had missed of two o rings under the rocker housings. Haynes manual doesn't show then.I had fitted the oil restrictors and o rings but it was the other end that does nothing except blank off the oil gallery. 1 hour later it was rectified.
Got to set up the tappets and refit the clutch although I'm waiting for the new clutch plates to come in. There's no rush.
New 836cc pistons fitted with the ring gaps all nice and equal. New APE studs.
Lots of shiny bits going on soon

[captaink]

more engine pictures, everyone likes a picture !

[captaink]

Question.......................
The Rickman frame is different to the CB750 frame.
I wondered if the engine could be lifted into the frame or like the CB you need to lower the frame over the engine ?
taking it out I lifted the frame of the engine but not sure if putting it back the other way is possible ?

Answers ?

[captaink]

As for the Rickman , I have decided not to use the original Rickman steel tank with fibreglass cover and opt for a new ally Rickman tank, I prefer the look. I'm having this made by Holtworks with a 30 week delivery time, hopefully sooner.
Updated Pictures when I have them

Keith

[captaink]

Still no news on the Rickman ally tank being made, officially its still 15 weeks away 
Good news the exhaust arrived yesterday so I could not resist sticking the dummy engine in and trial assembly of the exhaust to get an idea of how it looks.
1st impressions are good, this is a 1978/9 Rickman frame and the exhaust is a 1975 style.
I was informed it would fit and luckily it does even down to the rear support bolt being in alignment.
It needs aligning 100 % but looks more than suitable.
As I'm having the bike painted orange and the tank is backorder, I have still sent the fairing and other parts for painting, as the orange is a flat colour it will easily match up with the tank when it arrives.