c.1969 Métisse-Triumph T140V 750cc 8-valve Racing Motorcycle

The private vendor built this beautiful and unique racing-specification Triumph Métisse having been inspired by Tom Kirby's immaculate Métisse-framed racing bikes in the 1960s/1970s. During this period the vendor was racing sidecars, and at every meeting where Tom Kirby's bikes were entered, they were not only excellently prepared mechanically but also immaculately presented.

This project started with the purchase of a very good original Métisse Triumph race frame with Métisse forks, wheels and disc brakes. It had been raced with a Weslake engine installed but unfortunately the rear engine lugs had been modified to suit and some damage had been done to the frame's nickel plating. Nevertheless, the frame was straight and only needed an engine.

The basic components of a Triumph TSS engine, including a crankshaft, con-rods, pistons, cylinder barrels and a cylinder head, were found and the idea of building an eight-valve Triumph became attractive. At that time there was no possibility of obtaining a pair of TSS crankcases so it was decided to use standard 1978 T140V crankcases and gearbox. However, the vendor was advised by several sources that the TSS barrels would not fit onto the T140 crankcases since the cylinder bores had been moved outwards to make room for the eight valves. This turned out to be true but only by a minimal amount. The crankcases were accurately set up on a milling machine and 'fly cut' to suit the barrels. Fortunately, it was confirmed that while Triumph had moved the bores outwards, they left the cylinder securing studs in exactly the same location as the T140's so the TSS barrels slipped perfectly over the studs. TSS studs were fitted with their integral dowels to align the barrels and the cylinder head. The gearbox retains its standard T140 gears with a standard T140 clutch and triplex chain primary drive.

The crankshaft was polished and balanced and fitted with alloy racing con-rods by Thunder Engineering. Nourish 'Z' cams were fitted, together with the standard TSS pistons. The TSS cylinder head was mildly ported and standard TSS valve springs fitted. Ignition is provided by an Electrex unit, which has been very reliable. Carburettors are 32mm Amal Concentric Mk2.

The original nickel plating was stripped off and new rear and bottom frame lugs fabricated to suit the T140 bottom end. The frame was then polished and new nickel plating applied. The frame was originally used to contain the oil, but it was decided to fabricate and fit a central oil tank to increase the oil capacity. The frame now acts as the engine breather catch tank. All new glassfibre parts, including the fairing, seat, tank and front mudguard, were sourced from the original Métisse moulds and finished in the original option of red with ivory fairing side panels.

The complete bike was built by the vendor and has been successfully paraded in the Isle of Man Manx parade laps in 2018 and 2019, averaging 80mph, and on several occasions at Mallory Park and Cadwell Park. This Métisse also won the 'Best Race Bike' award at a Métisse day at Sammy Miller's museum.

During an early parade lap at Snetterton both left-side exhaust valve seats dropped by a small amount - a common TSS failing - fortunately without damaging the valves or pistons. Apparently, during Triumph's final days, the TSS heads were not properly heat treated and commonly were either porous or had loose exhaust valve seats. To keep the bike running, a new-old-stock Nourish cylinder head was sourced and fitted. This required some further re-engineering which was successfully achieved. According to our vendor, the bike has been extremely reliable and starts very easily with a little 'choke'; it rides incredibly well and handles like it is on rails thanks to its race-compound tyres. Rickman was one of the first manufacturers to fit disc brakes on a production motorcycle (albeit a racer) and this one's brakes stop it very well.

Since 1 April 2023, the Métisse has been registered as an "off-road" vehicle. This was carried out by the vendor in preparation for overseas racing, where registration was required to satisfy customs requirements. While one of the two stamped frame numbers ('204H') has been used for registration purposes, the machine retains its original Rickman frame number, 'R527', stamped on the headstock.

Rickman factory records confirm that frame number 'R527' was built in October 1969 as a Triumph T100/T110 SM and supplied new to Westbury Motorcycles. The machine is offered with a selection of rear wheel sprockets, spare fork stanchions with springs, fairing side panels, the V5C Registration Certificate, and a copy of David Gittins' Derek & Don Rickman: The Métisse Story.

This represents a fantastic opportunity to acquire a very well-presented and carefully sorted racing Métisse, with the added benefit of being registered.

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