1973 Rickman Metisse 250MX – Frame-Off Restored – Montesa Capra Powered – Discovery Channel Featured – Museum Quality

A true motocross icon. One of the most desirable hybrid motocross machines ever built.

Beautifully restored and maintained, this investment-grade motorcycle represents one of the most important chapters in motocross history.

With its famous nickel-plated Reynolds chassis, lightweight alloy components, magnesium hubs, alloy swingarm, chrome steel rims, Betor suspension, fiberglass bodywork, and unmistakable high-mounted "bazooka" expansion chamber, this Rickman is every bit the exotic works machine it was intended to be.

Finding an authentic Rickman Metisse today is extraordinarily difficult. Production numbers were very limited, and surviving examples in this condition are exceptionally rare.

The Rickman Story

Brothers Don and Derek Rickman weren't simply engineers—they were championship-caliber motocross racers.

Unsatisfied with the handling characteristics of many production motorcycles of the era, they designed what quickly became one of the finest motocross chassis ever produced. Their nickel-plated Reynolds 531 frame earned legendary status, becoming the benchmark by which other motocross frames were judged throughout the early 1970s.

Many factory riders and serious racers chose Rickman chassis over factory motorcycles because of their superior handling, lighter weight, and incredible craftsmanship.

Combined with the proven Spanish-built Montesa Capra engine, the result was one of the finest hybrid motocross motorcycles of its generation.

Today, Rickmans are regarded as true collector motorcycles—rare, historically significant, and highly sought after worldwide.

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Discovery Channel History

This particular motorcycle has a unique history with our company.

Approximately seven years ago, before the COVID shutdown, we purchased this motorcycle from a longtime friend and accomplished hill climb racer.

Shortly afterward, Discovery Channel selected Kaplan Cycles to film a television pilot centered around the restoration of vintage motorcycles.

This Rickman became one of the featured restoration projects.

The pilot episode was completed, but just as production of the second episode began in Daytona, COVID shut down television production nationwide and the series never moved forward.

The pilot can still be found through streaming services including Discovery, Max, Apple TV and other on-demand platforms.

This motorcycle represents a memorable piece of Kaplan Cycles history as well as motocross history.

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Professional Frame-Off Restoration

This motorcycle received a comprehensive frame-up restoration by our restoration department.

The motorcycle was completely disassembled down to the bare frame before being professionally rebuilt.

Highlights include:

• Engine completely serviced

• Transmission inspected

• Clutch serviced

• Top end rebuilt

• New piston rings

• New complete gasket set

• Fresh fluids throughout

• Carburetor professionally rebuilt

• New air filter

• New fuel petcock

• New fuel lines

• Compression tested at approximately 150 PSI

• Cylinder inspected with a borescope showing visible crosshatching

• Top end professionally refinished

• Lower engine cases polished

• Original nickel-plated frame professionally cleaned and polished

• Beautiful basecoat/clearcoat paintwork by Ed at Mill Street Auto

• New Dunlop tires

• New gold drive chain

• New Magura grips

• New levers

• New front number plate and graphics

• Fresh service completed prior to sale

The motorcycle has accumulated approximately one hour of riding time since completion of the restoration.

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Outstanding Original Components

One of the most impressive aspects of this motorcycle is how many desirable original Rickman components remain intact.

Features include:

• Original nickel-plated Rickman frame

• Original alloy swingarm

• Original magnesium hubs

• Original chrome wheel rims

• Original fiberglass bodywork

• Betor rear shocks

• Betor front forks

• Alloy triple clamps

• Large Rickman expansion chamber

• Period-correct DeBruiser crossbar pad

• Original Rickman styling throughout

The chrome & nickel plating still presents beautifully.

The aluminum engine cases remain excellent.

Overall presentation is simply spectacular.

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Runs as Beautifully as it Looks

The Montesa Capra 250 engine remains one of the great motocross engines of the era.

Known for its smooth yet powerful powerband, durability, and excellent parts availability, the Capra engine made Rickman hybrids highly competitive in motocross, enduro, flat track, and hill climbing.

This motorcycle starts easily, runs exceptionally well, shifts properly, and is an absolute pleasure to ride.

The smooth torque, lightweight chassis, and legendary Rickman handling remind you immediately why these motorcycles became legendary.

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Provenance

Following the restoration, this Rickman became part of a prominent private motorcycle collection.

Recently, the collector decided to reduce the size of his collection and returned six motorcycles to Kaplan Cycles for resale, including this beautiful Rickman.

Truthfully, I considered keeping this motorcycle for display in the mezzanine of our new museum building because of its significance to our company's history.

However, we are currently investing heavily in the expansion of our dealership and museum facilities, and this extraordinary motorcycle deserves to be enjoyed by another collector.

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Investment Quality

Restoring a Rickman to this standard today would be an enormous undertaking.

With restoration shop rates exceeding $150 per hour, a proper 50-70 hour restoration quickly exceeds $10,000 before considering the cost of sourcing increasingly scarce original Rickman components.

The work has already been completed professionally.

This motorcycle is ready for:

• Museum display

• Private collection

• Vintage motocross events

• Vintage shows

• Investment portfolio

• Weekend riding enjoyment

It truly checks every box.

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Shipping & Delivery

We are happy to assist buyers nationwide.

We can arrange licensed, insured, enclosed transportation anywhere within the continental United States through one of our trusted motorcycle transport specialists.

The motorcycle may also remain on display at the New England Motorcycle Museum by prior arrangement if desired.

As an added bonus, Ken Kaplan Sr. and Ken Kaplan Jr. would be happy to autograph the motorcycle's front number plate with a gold paint marker upon the buyer's request.

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Final Thoughts

Some motorcycles are simply machines.

Others become part of motorcycling history.

This Rickman Metisse is one of those motorcycles.

It represents the vision of two legendary racers who forever changed motocross chassis design, powered by one of Spain's finest racing engines, professionally restored, featured in a Discovery Channel television pilot, and preserved as a centerpiece in a private collection.

Whether your destination is a museum, a concours event, the starting line at a vintage motocross race, or simply your own garage, this Rickman will draw admiration everywhere it goes.

Finding another example with this history, this originality, and this level of restoration would be extremely difficult.

If you've been waiting for the right Rickman, this is it.

Thank you for your interest, and God Bless America.

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WHY SHOULD YOU BUY FROM KAPLAN? WHAT DO YOU GET?

“You are buying from the Kaplan Cycles Family. We are not just another big auction house. We are family-owned and operated and have been buying, servicing, and selling motorcycles since 1975. You will work directly with Ken Jr., Ken Sr., and/or one of the 30+ experts on our team. We provide museum-quality, white-glove concierge service from start to finish. Every motorcycle we sell is inspected, serviced, and supported by our team, and we stand behind it after the sale. You’re not on your own — we back what we build and what we sell.

With over 17,000 units sold and still 100% positive feedback, we are the best stress-free buying experience you can have. From the first call to delivery at your door, we will handle it all — because vintage motorcycles deserve support, and so do you.

With every bike we curate you get:
• museum-level inspection & preservation services
• every machine is professionally evaluated, serviced, & rotisserie detailed
• all critical systems are checked, adjusted, or renewed
• you get professional setup, tuning, and delivery prep
• done by the best experts in the industry — we ride and restore every day
• you get post-sale phone support
• you get white-glove, insured, always-enclosed shipping to your door anywhere in the country

You’re buying from Kaplan Cycles at the New England Motorcycle Museum, one of the largest vintage motorcycle collections in North America. Free museum tours and tickets are included with every bike sold. With every bike you purchase, a portion of the proceeds is used to support, continue, and improve the 501(c)(3) nonprofit New England Motorcycle Museum.

You don’t just win an auction — YOU are creating & helping to preserve motorcycle history, and you become part of our family, a Kaplan Cycles client for life.

We do not take new clients off the street.
We do not service bikes purchased elsewhere.
We only take new exclusive clients who purchase a motorcycle from us.

You get a guided purchase experience with, and from, the experts who care about the bike as much as you do. If there’s a problem, you don’t get ghosted. You call us — you will have our cell phone numbers — we will answer your call on weekends, and we will help make it right.

Auction platforms = listing only. No support. No accountability.

Kaplan Cycles = we stand behind what we sell.

You are buying museum-curated provenance. That means:
• expert evaluation
• documented condition
• professional presentation
• long-term preservation mindset

You’re not just buying a motorcycle — you’re buying a curated piece of motorcycling history.

From the #1 family in this business — Kaplan Cycles & the New England Motorcycle Museum.

Sincerely,

Ken Kaplan Sr.
12/28/2025”

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AUCTION TERMS:

All motorcycles & vehicles are sold as-is where-is.

Kaplan Cycles guarantees all motorcycles are as-described. Please read the entire description and watch the entire video before bidding.

A non-refundable deposit is due immediately on purchase. PayPal or Credit Card is accepted for the deposit.

Cash (In-Person), Card (+3% fee), or Wire Transfer are our only accepted forms of final payment.

Full payment must be made within 7 days of auction close.

Your motorcycle must be picked up within 30 days of auction close. 

Exceptions are made only for international buyers OR buyers who have ALREADY made transport arrangements with a third party.

If a motorcycle is purchased and left here for longer than 30 days without written permission from Kaplan Cycles it will be resold. In the case of a re-sale, the owner will be entitled to a refund less storage fees ($25/ day beginning 30 days from auction close) ONLY if the motorcycle was paid in full on-time within the auction terms.

We always describe our motorcycles as accurately as possible.

You are purchasing a classic motorcycle. Even in cases where a bike may be in good running/ operating condition, new problems & idiosyncrasies can arise over-time from sitting or regular use.

If you have an issue with the motorcycle you’ve received, contact us within 24 hours of delivery and before leaving feedback so that we can address your concerns.

It is important you have at least a basic mechanical knowledge before purchasing and operating a classic motorcycle.

Due to our backlog, we cannot perform any additional service work or modifications on your motorcycle after the sale (ie; adding a light kit, different tires, etc.)

We respond quickly between the hours of 9am and 5pm EST, Monday - Friday

For our fastest service please call Ken Kaplan Jr directly at 860-471-0192

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We will not charge out-of-state buyers sales tax.
Out of state residents will pay sales tax with their DMV. 

We are not a registering dealership. You will receive only the documents required to register your vehicle in your state.

In our listings, title status is always listed directly below the main description.

In some cases we will sell motorcycles without title or registration. In these cases we guarantee all motorcycles sold are free and clear. We will always provide a route to obtaining title. Generally in these cases, the motorcycle will be sold at a discount to accommodate expenses involved.

Documents are mailed via USPS priority mail with a tracking number. Please allow up to 14 days after payment in full for your documents to be processed and mailed.

Keys will be shipped with the motorcycle.

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Warranty:

All Motorcycles sold "as is, where is" and Kaplan Cycles does not warranty any motorcycle sold. No express warranty and/or implied warranty are made by Kaplan Cycles. No statements by us give an implied warranty.

SHIPPING:

SEND US YOUR ZIP FOR A SHIPPING QUOTE!
WE WILL MAKE ALL ARRANGEMENTS!

We have the best shipping contacts in the nation who will provide the FASTEST transport times, have a perfect track record, and are always insured and ENCLOSED! All motorcycles are shipped WHOLE (roll-on, roll-off). We do not offer a pallet or crate service.

International shipping specialist contacts are available! They will assist in ground freight, customs clearance, and ocean freight to your country. International buyers will be required to work directly with our third party shipping contacts.

We strongly recommend you insure your motorcycle at the time of purchase.

PICKUP:

We require a 24 hour notice prior to pick-up. Please call us at 860-454-7024 during office hours Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm EST.

We will provide ramps, a dock for loading, and assistance to load for free.