1975 Rickman CR900
1975 Rickman CR900. All Rickman CR900s are special but this one very much so. The original documentation is very complete and includes the original invoice, assembly identity tag, build sheet and many more original invoices supporting the build and history. Most likely imported into the US through Craig Vetter’s dealership, this CR900 was assembled and engine build by Boston Cycles. As mentioned, the file contains the original invoice from Boston Cycles to the original owner as well as all the engine build parts, numerous original product brochures and other great info. As per all Rickman frames this is nickel plated, Reynolds 531 manganese molybdenum. the rims are Borrani aluminum alloy laced to the original Rickman hubs. Front forks are the Rickman 40mm and rear shocks are Girling. The bodywork is color impregnated fiberglass with a 4 gallon fuel tank and 3/4 fairing. The doner bike was a 1974 Z1A and the usual parts utilized are ALL here. Gauges and ignition, wiring harness(s), headlamp, handlebar controls, tail lamp, front brake splitter, upper brake hose and master cylinder. These are all the original doner bike parts in excellent condition and this is the exact kit from 1975 with the exception of new paint which has been done professionally and is superb. The original hardware which is mostly GKN, has been removed and re plated with new zinc finishes. Various other parts have been removed to have the nickel plating redone. The odometer reading is correct and represent 2,000 miles on the original engine and the remainder on this build. The brakes are the original Lockheed dual piston disc brakes front and rear with the original braided fabric brake line covers. Brakes are rebuilt.
The engine was professionally built as a 1105cc engine with 10:1 compression ratio, forged aluminum pistons, R.C. Engineering competition ported and polished cylinder head, Norris 407s high performance camshafts with triple valve springs and titanium retainers. Approximately 125 HP is transmitted to the rear wheel via a Denselube Superchain.
The handlebar end mount mirrors are original Stadium mirrors in excellent condition.
The exhaust system is the original Winning Performance 4 into 1 that was part of the original build as documented on the build sheet. It has been thoroughly reconditioned with ceramic coating on the header and new chrome finish on the tail piece. The original baffle had been refurbished including new wrapping. To me, this is one of the most amazing pieces to have on the bike. In 1984, the original owner removed the Winning Performance pipe and replaced it with a Yoshimura 4 into 1. Again, I have the original receipt for this purchase. What amazes me is the fact that since 1984, the original Winning Performance exhaust system stayed with the bike and was passed on to the owners who subsequently owned the bike. I do not know for sure but I am guessing there was four owners in total including myself. It was a lot of work to resurrect this original piece as I wanted the correct genuine collars, fit and finish etc. It was worth it. Most of the Winning Performance exhaust systems were either flat black or chrome. What came to me was a chrome tail piece covered in flat black spray paint and the header was definitely flat black from original, never chromed. Now the Yoshimura (excellent condition) will follow the bike. Another great piece that came with the bike was the original tank strap. Although a rotted disaster, the hardware was salvageable, fixed and refinished and from a Rickman forum member, I learned what the material used for the strap was. So now the bike has a rebuilt / original tank strap.
Other work involved the removal, rebuilding and refinishing the beautiful Rickman from fork assembly. All the aluminum pieces were polished and the fork stanchions received new hard chrome finishes. Many aluminum engine covers were removed as well and pro polished. The carburetors were removed, sterilized and rebuilt as well.
New Keyster fuel tees were used and I highly recommend them.
I hope you enjoy the pictures.