XS Metisse

[halfmile]

I`ve been following this one! Beautiful. Love the heat guard with the dimple holes. Have you checked the drive chain for clearance yet? I notice the motor sits a lot lower in the Metisse frame which should give more clearance on the bottom side. What is the ratio?

 

[lewisjohn]

I`ve been following this one! Beautiful. Love the heat guard with the dimple holes. Have you checked the drive chain for clearance yet? I notice the motor sits a lot lower in the Metisse frame which should give more clearance on the bottom side. What is the ratio?

The wheels are off an XT500, so I was limited with the size of the rear sprocket. I’ve fitted a 17T gearbox and 46T rear.There are no clearance issues, but I’m going to fit a plastic wear strip on the swingarm pivot point to protect the tube.

 

[jay760]

You might be better off with a 18 tooth front sprocket would help with clearance and the gearing, with the gearing you've got you'll be topping out at about 50

 

[lewisjohn]

You might be better off with a 18 tooth front sprocket would help with clearance and the gearing, with the gearing you've got you'll be topping out at about 50

All my riding is done on back roads and some gentle green laning,I’ll see how it goes with the gearing.

 

[fredintoon]

You might be better off with a 18 tooth front sprocket would help with clearance and the gearing, with the gearing you've got you'll be topping out at about 50

Hi Jay,
I tried that.
Running at 18T front sprocket involves removing the inner chain guard and limits you to running normal chain because HD & sealed chains don't fit.

 

[buzzword]

Unrelated to your beautiful build, but I saw that Mr Rickman passed away. Sad loss!

 

[lewisjohn]

Finally finished my build,

it’s been a really enjoyable build. Many thanks to Ant Beynon of Pipes And Stuff for building the exhaust system for me. The heat shield may have to be modified depending how hot my leg gets.

 

[willis]

Outstanding job. Your build was a breath of fresh air here. Definitely outside the normal builds we are accustomed to. Well done sir!

 

[MrBultaco]

Thanks for taking us on you journey lewisjohn. It turned out to be a beautiful motorcycle worthy of the front of the 2022 calendar, therefore, I nominate your XS Rickman Metisse for the upcoming calendar. (I know it's early, but so?)

 

[lewisjohn]

XS Metisse number 2 build underway, a good friend of mine liked my build so much he’s asked me to build one for him, frame is ordered, Triumph Hurricane forks and 2LS front brake bought and ready to fit. This one will be slightly different as he wants all of the tank,bodywork,mudguards etc in polished alloy, if I think it’s better than mine I’ll keep it and he can have mine.

 

[MrBultaco]

if I think it’s better than mine I’ll keep it and he can have mine.

I like how you think lewisjohn...polished alloy tank, fenders and side covers, gotta be the better of the 2....

 

[Jim]

Out of curiosity, what's one of them frames cost?

 

[lewisjohn]

Out of curiosity, what's one of them frames cost?

In the UK the frame kit including tank and bodywork is approximately £2200.

 

[Raymond]

Beautiful bike, a thoroughbred mongrel? Uhm.

What's it like to ride?

 

[YAM277]

In the UK the frame kit including tank and bodywork is approximately £2200.

Guess that's about $3000 bucks?

 

[Adamc]

Beautiful bike, a thoroughbred mongrel? Uhm.

What's it like to ride?

I don’t care, just want one!

 

[OHRider]

I would love to build one

 

[lewisjohn]

And so it begins again, I’m now building another XS based Metisse, I picked up the frame yesterday from Rickman Motorcycles. The engine is freshly rebuilt, I’m using Triumph conical hubs front and back with Triumph Hurricane forks. All the bodywork is all Gloss Black.My aim is to get into the 2023 calendar.

 

[Raymond]

You starting a production line? More appeal for me than the new BSA Gold Star. Put me down for #3? (Couldn't afford it . . .)

 

[I_ride_forth]

Fantastic build! I'm starting an X650 build of my own what rubber mounts did you use for the tank and seat pan? Also what fasteners did you use for connecting the rear mudguard and seat pan as they look nice and tidy? Will take any reccomendations or lessons learned along the way?