Herr’s the dealeo, my ole buddy died and left a a garage full of mostly vintage biles. this Triumph has me Stumped??? I can’t find a bike like it no matter how I massage the search criteria, and I can’t find a Vintage Triumph Website that specializes in Triumphs history of Dirt Bikes. I can’t find a VIN on the frame Head Tube... but I havent taken off the side panels to do a deeper dive. Its a Twin; engine block is stamped #DRF100129 Its beautifully Fabb’d bare metal OIF Frame, the welds are something to write home about, It has an awesome pipe, an Alum Swing-arm (tear shock geometry looks like late 70’s laid forward), unbranded Alum tank and side panels. I’m not that familiar with British bikes, but I’ve never seen a rear drum and sprocket Assy like that on a dirt bikei? It has a nice fitting after market seat, and aftermarket plastic fenders. ... Not seized (my buddy was a collector, not a hoarder, he didn’t keep junk in his shop), 15 rare vintage bikes in his collection including; Triumph’s, Enfield’s, Bultaco’s, Honda’s, Yamaha’s, and one Suzuki (the most notoriously dangerous 2 Stroke eve made) 75 TM 400 . Of course I haven’t tried to start it, its probably been sitting 25 Yrs, It would need to be prepped by someone who knows Triumph’s first! It doesn’t look like any stock images of Production Triumphs I can pull up in a web search, I’m wondering if its built Bike not OEM? What the hell have I got here, and whats its ballpark collectors value? Thx, David
Oil in frame, quality welding like a line of laid down pennies and is it nickle plated ? All of which say it could be a Rickman frame although the headstock doesn't look right for a Rickman. Looks a bit of a mongrel but would be an interesting bike to scramble. I like it.
Rickman Metisse frame, I think. Chain adjustment via swinging arm spindle. Tiny brakes and huge rear sprocket suggest a 'pro.' scrambler though the frames were sold as kits so it could as easily have been home built. Nice find!
Thx for the references... that makes sense based on what I’m looking at... i’tried to look up the Ser # on the Eng case via links I could find on the web, but no luck on the first three letters “DRF” but couldn’t find anything... Any ideas on Eng Identification?
It looks just like the Matisse favoured by Steve McQueen for desert racing. That might explain your DR F as likely supplied direct from Triumph Meriden......? You could contact them http://www.metisse-motorcycles.com/motorcycle/steve-mcqueen-desert-racer/
No ideas on the engine they don't seem to be a format Triumph used as for the frame it could be a Wasp but should have a number on it
David Osinga Welcome to the family. Yes you have a metisse frame and a special someone has had done up. Do try to find out some more history on it. The engine looks like a 650 It is quite a nice looking machine. Don't know if your Zip code works like our post codes but i would take it of your posts as the wrong type might be watching. Sometimes the frame was supplied without numbers so they could be stamped up to suit an engine. Joe.
The engine number on there doesn't look like the factory original and, clearly, isn't the 'usual' DU12345 that you might expect to see on a '60's unit construction 650 ..... which this appears to be. Normally the engine number on factory produced machines would be on a raised, TRIUMPH engraved 'panel' on the crankcase where the number is on this bike. You'll need to start diving down a lot of internet rabbit holes if you're going to get any information on the engine number you've got but I, personally, have to wonder if DRF too easily translates to "Desert Racer, Factory"? Unlikely for sure. Perhaps, more likely some individual using that as a simplistic mnemonic! I'm sure many of us would be interested in what you find and how your investigations work out.
I like Adie’s thought on the DRF engine number or could it be as the Rickman brothers Christian names were Don and Derek that is were the D comes from so Don/Derek Rickman Factory
An equally likely explanation or attribution and one I hadn't 'connected'. Don't Ride Far? Mnemonics were simple 'memory aids' when I went ta skool.
Thx for the Link... It just keeps getting more interesting! Like a cold case mystery to investigate leads, my own who-done-it!
Thx, I know the seat is branded “Dinosaur Racing” (and its a nice well made set that looks like it was manufactured for the bike as it sits), but after massaging my serch terms in every conceivable way, I can get a hit on Dinosaur Racing as a manufacturer of anything??? Do you have a lead or a link to help me run that down? Thx, David
