1979 Kawasaki Rickman

What was your intended objective when you started the build?

I turbo charged many Kawasaki Z1 motorcycles and they just were not ready for so much power Rickman Renolds 531 tubing innovations included the use of large diameter telescopic forks (1-5/8″ or 41.2mm) and light weight and  the road bikes were the first to use disc brakes both front and rear (a joint project with Lockheed

What motivated you to start your project?

Rickman Initially the frame designs were for scrambles, and then for road racing. Later, in 1966, road bikes were produced as well. The first street legal bike used a Triumph Bonneville engine. Rickman initially supplied frame kits to the public, as no major British motorcycle manufacturers would sell engines separately. The frame kits were built for many engines, including Triumph twins, BSA singles and Matchless. In the mid-1960s, Rickman also produced road-racing frames for AJS 7R singles, and in the 1970s they began selling chassis kits for Japanese bikes like the Honda CB750 and Kawasaki Z1. The road bikes were the first to use disc brakes both front and rear (a joint project with Lockheed).

What was the most unique and creative thing you did to the bike?

In 1990 I reconfigured the front fork using the original Rickman Geometry and went to 17 inch wheels and Brembo braking at that time Eraldo Ferracii had these components sitting on the shelf as he was running his superbike team.

What are you most proud of?

It has stood the test of time.

What do other people say about your motorcycle?

What is it? Most have not seen a Rickman.

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Submitted by: John Zappini

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Specifics

Classification: Bolt-on/Daily Rider
Make, Model & Year: 1979 Kawasaki Rickman
Fondly known as: Rickman Kawasaki
Time spent: Many
Motorcycle cost: $25,000
Money spent: NOT SURE
Engine: YOSHURMA KAWASAKI IN THE CURRENT COFIGURATION
Intake: MIKUNI OR AMERICAN TURBO
Exhaust: MURRAY
Transmission: 5-Speed
Frame: RICKMAN
Suspension: DUCATI 851 FORK FOX AIR SHOCKS
Wheels, tires and brakes: MICHLIEN
Finish – Paint: STOCK GEN COAT
Accessories: NONE

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