Metisse selection

[Tim754]

 It is OK but.... Would prefer one of my pet modified SL125 engines.
Bucket list item for Tim754 Micro Metisse roller for SL125 or Hodaka 125 Super Combat power..

[firko]

Ben's sent me this photo of the new 'glass for my upcoming Maico Petite Metisse. Rather than getting it in the usual red, BRG, black or even the standard Petite pale yellow, I opted for the Ivory colour, a sort of beige that the Yanks christened Desert Sand. I can't wait to get stuck into this little project....the oval barreled 360 motor is well underway with an updated close ration box, PVL ignition and a 350 crank..of course balanced by Franks Cranks. I'm really looking forward to putting a "lowly" two stroke in amongst the big Brit 4 strokes in the pre 65 500 class. I'm also considering building a 250 motor if we decide to go 250 class for a change.
                                                                 

[VMX247]

Very noice,my Sprite Tank that Red Alert did is very very similor,called it "WA Sand" 

[firko]

Also in the photo is the new rear subframe and seat from Adrian Moss. I've got another set of this guys fibreglass, the Mk3 - Mk4 conversion kit for my currently dormant Micro Metisse Maico project. This guy's glass work is the best of the best, as anyone who's seen his work will tell you. Because the Petite Metisse Maico has come along the earlier project will now be re-engined by either a DT1 Yamaha or, if I'm feeling adventurous, my Cooper Moto Islo 250 motor. How cool would a Moto Islo Metisse be? I just love the way it rolls off the tongue
                                                                               

[firko]

The joys of seeing my shiny new glass kit above got me on a bit of a high but the sight of the frame that's going under it has bought me back to Planet Earth. The frame is obviously in need of a little bit of love and understanding but basket cast offs that nobody else wants are my particular VMX fetish. What makes this particular frame more attractive (to me) is that it's a genuine period Derek and Don built, Reynold 531 tubed Rickman Petite Metisse, circa 1964 which are extremely rare. The mild steel water pipe M11 Bultaco built version is far more common but twice the weight (and still hard to find). The frame appears to need a slight bit of surgery to repair replace the missing rear downtubes and to fabricate engine mounts to suit the Maico 360 motor. I'll also have to source or fabricate a set of footpeg mounts and who knows what else that may arise. Instead of re nickel plating the frame I'm intending to look into painting it using one of the new comercially available 'chrome' paints.  Building a competitive pre 65/500 2 stroker is a great challenge so with a bit of luck I might just have it going for the Canberra Classic Nats.
 The daggy looking Mk4 bodywork shown in the bottom photo has been turned to UK landfill by Flowerpot Ben. Not only was it off the wrong model, it was totally rooted.
                                                         
                                                                                             

[Tim754]

Still a juicy project Mark, Mmmmm.
The Reynolds tubing ,all bronzed together like my Wasp frames?

[firko]

The stash hits the water tomorrow......

[firko]

This is probably Australia's greatest Metisse, Roy East's legendary G80 powered beast that he rode throughout the sixties in the UK and upon his return here in the late 60's. I'm one of the few who's had the absolute pleasure of riding this ugly yet efficient old battler, doing 10 laps around Nepean dirt track in the early 90's. I couldn't believe how fast such an ugly old bike could be. When I rode it it still had the Ceriani forks and 7'' magnesium front hub but in the photo its shown to have a Husky front end and Lelou Husky 125 wheel, fitted after Roy's monumental over the bars crash when the mag hub shattered like a broken bottle when he grabbed a handful of front brake for turn one at Nepean. I was in that race behind him and he was lucky not to have been killed, he hit the ground so violently and then 300lbs of Metisse landing on him.
Old Roy was a tough old bugger and continued to race his Husky 250 for the rest of the day but we knew he was in a lot of pain. Not once did he complain....an attitude that carried him right through to his death of Parkinsons Disease a few years later. He was a great bloke and a true lover of vintage motocross. The bike's now owned by Brian Clarkson, himself a legend and not sailing too well healthwise.
                                                             
                                                                      

[ola_martin]

[firko]

Sweet Petite

[firko]

Here's the way my above Rickman basket case frame would have originally looked. There's been a change of direction and it'll now be fitted with one of my DT1 motors.