Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/125732
SPECIFICATIONS: RICKMAN 250 MOTO-CROSS ENGINE Number of Cylinders Cycle Bore and stroke Displacement Compression ration 1 2 stroke 72.5 mm x 60mm 247 .69cc 12:1 Brake Horsepower . 34 bhp at 7000 rpm CARBURETOR Make Amal Type 389 B 32 Monobloc Diameter TRANSMISSION Pril1'ldry Dr~'!e Secondary Chain 32mm -:'.......•.... -Gear %,1] x 5/8" GEARBOX 4 speed Constant mesh CLUTCH Multiple disc in oil bath. IGNITION Motoplat MCR-137. 20 TO Flywheel magneto. the plates replaced in order to work properly and ATF fluid must be used to avoid small metal particles from getting on these plates, causing a malfunction. With repairs made, I was ready for the racing this machine was designed for: motocross. (At this point, I'd like to add that if your Rickman dealer is not familiar with the engine try any Montesa dealer.) By now the low pipe had been smashed nearly flat but the Bassani silencer was still in original state. A trip to Darrel's shop was in order. The though t of running a high pipe through the frame intrigued' the young en trepreneur. He decided some new "mini cones" and we went to work. Nine· hours later we completed a pipe that snakes its way around the cylinder, over the carb, and out the other side. This meant cutting away part of the air cleaner box and sealing up one side of the dual air boxes. The side panel also had to be cut to 'accept the silencer. Darrel did a fantastic job of fitting it through and around some very tight spots. When seen by some, their comments were "it doesn't have enough volume". Bassani has a lot on the ball and the bike runs as fast or faster than any stock Metisse I've run against_ Then, a Filtron was fitted and I was ready to go. . Three rides proved the machine .to be spot-on for motocross. Accelleration in all gears is excellent. Only when you let the R's drop can you get into any real trouble. First gear is a little high for starting on hard-packed ground but in soft stuff it gets the power there righ t-now. Just two things need to be added: again, spring load pegs and a , floating backing plate. The cable rear brake is designed to work similar to the floating type, but it doesn't work as well. The use of only a light amount of rear brake and heavy on the front helps, but this takes some getting used to. You must, as in all machines, get used to the back end jumping around. The stock Girling shocks are adequate but different riders have different tastes. I have seen Cumut.ts, Betors and Konis in FRONT SUSPENSION Type Telescopic Damping Hydraulic 614" Travel REAR SUSPENSION Type Swinging Arm Damping Hydraulic WHEELS Front ........•...•....... 300 x 21 Rear .460 x 18 Hubs Alloy GENERAL INFORMATION Fuel Tank Fiberglass C:itpacity .•.......•.. 1J~ IJ .5. gaHo~5 (long distance lank also availabie). 55" Wheelbase Ground clearance .. co ::> .., II! w Z W ...J U >- U 8%" Footrest height Seat height 12Y," 33" Height of air intake ...•.........25" Weight Price: 203 Ibs. $1149.00 use. The four-speed gear box gives full range power. On any motocross q>Urse around you won't get pulled by a five-speed. Still, an added gear would help space out the entire tranny. With 8Y," of ground clearance stock (downpipe), I now get lOY," with the high pipe. The Amal monobloc carb is Petcock has no reserve. Note waterproofing on stock ignition. Flying is natural for the super-lightweight. giving it much appeal. Addition of titanium handlebars make it even I'ighter. used to stop loading-up and starting problems common with the Montesa engine. The replacement of the stock spark plug cap with water-proof caps is a must and will stop any waterproofing problems since "the air cleaners are very high and completely enclosed. The new heavy-duty front fork worked well in all events using all 6%" of travel. The only bad feature is that they really spit the oi! out the breathers and all over the rider should you overfill the forks. I've seen ride~ plug these holes, but replacing of the stock O-ring with a heavier one will solve the problem. I take pride in having the Rickman 250 Moto-Cross to race. The latest work out of Steen's is the entire Rickman line will change as necessary, not year by year as other do_ Here' is a list of changes between my machine (picked up in late February) and the one you will buy today: wide rear hub, frame gusseted at fork spindle and engine mounts, side stand, polished hubs, high pipe and five-speed gear box. How can you lose when this type of care is taken in. production? Get yourself a ride on one, but remember, it's 203 pounds of dynamite. Motorcycles and jets need great tires. For smooth take-offs. And safe landings. Great tires like Continentaltires. The safe tire for jumbo jets. And your motorcycle. '_ The qu.ality is the same. So get yoursell down to your motorcycle dealer. And slap on a pair of Scramblers or Universals. There's one hundred years of experience behind every tire. Now take off. Run the roads. Scramble the trails. Take your fun anyway you like. On Continentals. it's smooth and safe. (gnUnen.at Oil thrown from the front forks was a problem. The unique pipe by Darrel Bassen; works well despite a dozen welds and gloomy forecasts by some experts. @ Or.le, ,nq"iro" inv,ted. Coni. Rubber ~rodlKt~. rnf;.• C..t.,.. I. N.J. 01001; Till '2011969 2200 INnt.'" olr,c:. ~900 Henno..., Pille•. f'_ _ I. Ce.". 94!Ua. Tel ,.\!l16!l) 1080