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/125820
J [6l • I ... M .... .,. ~ gi « CIl :;: W Z W ..J (.) > (.) ..... Can a British frame find happiness with Spanish forks and engIne? - The Rickman Limey-Ught VR 250 Way back when, when Don and Derek Rickman began building frames, you supplied the additional desired components. .. You found an engine and dropped it in yourself. This was an ideal method for the time because very few factories buil t true racing equipment. In the past five to seven years the market has changed and as a result you see the "gas-it-up, ready-to-race" Rickman. . Purchasing engines from' anotha manufacturer, while cost· saving, can produce gray hair on the heads of teenagers. You order the amount you want, hope you get what you ordered when you want and then live with what you get. For the past few years Rickman has used Montesa engines and the process has produced more than a few of those gray hairs. While the Montesa engine was always known for making lots of horsepower, it was not necessarily known for its broad powerband or its reliability. There was a crankshaft that wasn't to sharply designed that slipped in for a year, Woodruff keys that broke and plugs that fouled. The Rickmans stuck with Montesa because the engine did make the required horsepower and it has some significant advantages (liloe a cylinda that couldn't be worn out). Patience panned out and Montesa has .produced the engine that most knew they could. It works in the Montesa VR and it works in the Rickman YR. The 1973 motor has a differen t lower end, a very airy barrel, cases that measure three inches narrower (considerable), a Bing carburetor, left side shifting, a down pipe, and last bu t definently not least, Motopiat electronic ignition. The resulting engine produces an awesome amount of power in the stock state over a reasonable powerband. Our stock test bike, in the hands of an expert, ran in front of the Expert class at an Indian Dunes motocross. According to some tuners, the motor has more capability than any mo tor in the 250 class. The Rickman boys have, through the years, built high quality motorcycle chassises and componen ts wi th a flair for design. On the 250, bright. red fiberglass fenders and seat and a steel gas tank accentuate the nickel plated chrome molybdenum tubular frame. Underneath resides a newly designed airbox. The engine fits neatly into the frame and gives the bike a very tall, lean look. With all the niceties are two outstanding flaws. Thae is an unnecessary and easily destroyed sidestand and a useless mud guard adding unsprung weight. Both should be for the enduro model, only. The high mount front fenlia of fiberglass adds to the appearance bu t will meet the inevitable crunch of racing. Mass production again decreeded that the expansion chamber be of seamed steel, and have a silencer that falls off all the time, A rolled cone pipe with a built in silencer-spark arrestor would be very appropriate. While production hinders some items, the Rickmans still seem to be able and willing to make certain changes as the day to day assembly rolls on. The small things, like strong gussets on the frame, spring loaded brake return, snail cam chain adjusting, and straight line cable braking in the rear are modernization touche,. that make one know that the bike is being buil t wi th the personal touches that you want and expect. The new Rickman VR has a front suspension change. This year's model comes equipped with Betor forks rather than the Metal Prortle items of yore. The Betor's performance is superb, except in their lack of ability to keep oil in. The seals in our bike began leaking almost immediately. Rear damping is handIed adequately by Girling units. They work excellently, but for how long? Then again, replacement is cheaper than most. Both front and rear wheels sport polished alloy conical hubs, laced to polished steel rims. We managed to do a destructo' on the rear hub of our bike, by a daring feat of cleverness by a stand·in test rider. Said Expert rider, after becoming thoroughly accustomed to riding the bike, began to develop the feeling that the bike would not slide out. In other words, he thought it was ultimately forgiving. As he bounced down the track on his side the bike caught the brake lever and the full weight of the bike was thrown onto the brake leva. The cable did not break. However, the backing plate for the hub