What The Hell Have I Got Here?

Oil in frame, quality welding like a line of laid down pennies and is it nickle plated ? All of which say it could be a Rickman frame although the headstock doesn't look right for a Rickman.
Looks a bit of a mongrel but would be an interesting bike to scramble.
I like it.

 

Looks nicely made and I too have no idea

 

Rickman Metisse frame, I think. Chain adjustment via swinging arm spindle. Tiny brakes and huge rear sprocket suggest a 'pro.' scrambler though the frames were sold as kits so it could as easily have been home built. Nice find!

 

Hi and welcome, No idea on the machine except it's a good looking bike "nice find"

 

Sorry, I've no idea what it is either but it's tickled my fancy.
Welcome by the way.

 

A very pretty little mongrel. If it were mine I'd ride it and keep it forever.

 

And me, and I wouldn't change a thing either, just lovely.

 

It looks just like the Matisse favoured by Steve McQueen for desert racing. That might explain your DR F as likely supplied direct from Triumph Meriden......?

You could contact them
http://www.metisse-motorcycles.com/motorcycle/steve-mcqueen-desert-racer/

 

No ideas on the engine they don't seem to be a format Triumph used as for the frame it could be a Wasp but should have a number on it

 

David Osinga
Welcome to the family. Yes you have a metisse frame and a special someone has had done up. Do try to find out some more history on it. The engine looks like a 650 It is quite a nice looking machine. Don't know if your Zip code works like our post codes but i would take it of your posts as the wrong type might be watching. Sometimes the frame was supplied without numbers so they could be stamped up to suit an engine.
Joe.

 

The engine number on there doesn't look like the factory original and, clearly, isn't the 'usual' DU12345 that you might expect to see on a '60's unit construction 650 ..... which this appears to be. Normally the engine number on factory produced machines would be on a raised, TRIUMPH engraved 'panel' on the crankcase where the number is on this bike.

You'll need to start diving down a lot of internet rabbit holes if you're going to get any information on the engine number you've got but I, personally, have to wonder if DRF too easily translates to "Desert Racer, Factory"? Unlikely for sure. Perhaps, more likely some individual using that as a simplistic mnemonic!

I'm sure many of us would be interested in what you find and how your investigations work out.

 

I like Adie’s thought on the DRF engine number or could it be as the Rickman brothers Christian names were Don and Derek that is were the D comes from so Don/Derek Rickman Factory

 

Mnemonic? Pronounced derf (rhymes with turf)?!!

 

An equally likely explanation or attribution and one I hadn't 'connected'.

Don't Ride Far? Mnemonics were simple 'memory aids' when I went ta skool.

 

Dinosaur Racing Frame.