Bultaco Metisse
BULTACO METISSE
CYCLE WORLD ROAD TEST
THE BROTHERS RICKMAN and their "Metisse" have revolutionized British scrambles racing, and the Rickman influence is apparent the world around. It all started in 1958, when the Rickmans were getting clouted by various lightweight "specials" in Continental events. This unpleasantness brought them to the realization that something better than what was then available in England would be needed, and as none of the established manufacturers appeared willing to make the necessary changes, Derek and Don Rickman decided to do it themselves.
Borrowing components here and there, the Rickmans put together a super-light, 500-class scrambler, using a frame of their own design and construction. It was an instant success, and there was more work along the same pattern for the next couple of years, although at this point the Rickman "Metisse" was still very much a special; none were being made to be sold. That changed in 1962, when in response to popular demand (a hackneyed phrase, but one that actually applies here) they built a few kits for sale to the public.
From that point, it was all onward and upward, and they have now made this "hobby" project into quite a nice business. The Rickmans' only real problem, today, is one of bringing up production to meet demand, and that is where their alliance with Bultaco comes in.
Having had so much success with the big Metisse, the Rickmans were besieged with requests for a similar, smalldisplacement machine. As requests backed by money are seldom ignored in any country, it was not long before a "little" Metisse was forthcoming. And, as the Rickmans are Bultaco distributors, it was only natural that the little Metisse was Bultaco-based. To say that public reception of this machine was enthusiastic would be some sort of record in understatement. Orders were soon flowing in much faster than production capacity could satisfy.
In answer to this, Rickman Brothers and Bultaco worked out an arrangement wherein the Bultaco-Metisse would be built in Spain, by Bultaco. Thus, a back-room special finally reached full factory-produced status, and both availability and price are much improved.
Actually, we are informed that the Bultaco-manufactured "Metisse" is not a Metisse at all; but a Pur Sang (which, translated from the French, means "pure blood", and whatever significance this juggling of names has is lost on us). Even so, a Bultaco-Metisse by any other name is a Bultaco-Metisse, and will be thus called by enthusiasts in this country no matter what the machine's makers or distributors have to say about it. We will go along with the enthusiasts.
The present Spanish-made Bultaco-Metisse suffers slightly in comparison to the original with regard to superficial finish, but is, in fact, a better machine functionally. Frames are welded, where the Rickman-produced machines have fantastically perfect brazed joints; but the welded frames are strong enough — if not quite so beautiful. Also, the Rickman frames are nickel plated, which is again better in appearance, if not in function, than the painted Bultaco frames. Actually, the important thing is that the frame design has not been altered. It is the same Manx-Norton-ish duplex-tube structure, with the front down tubes starting at the top of the steering head and leading down between the tank-rail tubes. And, too, the same arrangement for chain adjustment is retained, with the swing-arm pivot carried in a slot and eccentric-bored discs to give fore-and-aft location. The entire swing-arm is moved to adjust the chain, by selecting appropriate discs, and this both provides perfect wheel alignment and virtually eliminates the possibility of slipping out of adjustment — no matter how severe the pounding. Finally, it reduces the mass that moves with the rear wheel, and should therefore improve ride and handling somewhat.
The first Bultaco-Metisse had Norton forks, which are good, but those on the Spanish production model are nothing short of phenomenal — and will soothe whatever ruffled feelings might arise over the lack of nickel plating on the frame. These forks closely resemble the Italian Ceriani, which seem to be used on all of the best racing equipment. In any case, they are magnificent forks, with a full 6 1/2-inches of travel (4 3/4" on bounce; 1 3/4" on rebound, measured from the static unloaded position). The damping is extremely good, too, and these forks will allow the bike's front wheel to climb over almost anything (excepting perhaps a crouched elephant) without jouncing the rider too severely. One thing that will look a trifle odd to experienced scrambles riders is the lack of dust covers on the forks. This is not an oversight. Each fork slider has an elaborate seal to exclude dust and moisture, and the top of the seal acts as a wiper to keep the upper fork leg clean.
Rear wheel travel is substantially less than at the front, at 3 inches, but this is about as much as one gets with any scrambler. We were rather surprised to find that the rear suspension was very soft, with dampers that gave resistance almost entirely on rebound. Of course, this makes the rear suspension just like that up front, which is also very soft, and also seems to have a preponderance of damping on rebound. It is all quite unlike the traditional scrambler, but gives the kind of results that tell us it represents the trend of the future.
All fiberglass parts on the Bultaco-Metisse are made by Michenall, in England, and this is high-quality material. The color is in the resin, so scratches can be polished out even when they are quite deep, and there is no possibility of chipping through the "paint." We should point out that fiberglass has the advantage of lightness, and relative resistance to damage if you should spill. Also, it has given the makers of the Metisse an opportunity to use more complex paneling than would be possible with metal. For instance, there is the elaborate paneling under the seat, which looks like fancy number plates but is also a housing for a huge fiber-element air cleaner. These panels also house the exhaust expansion chamber, which is tidy and, more important, places the chamber where it cannot easily get bashed, or come into contact with the rider's leg.
Rigid footpegs are often used on scramblers outside this country, but those on the Bultaco-Metisse were of the folding variety, and appeared to have been designed just to bring gladness to the heart of an AMA Technical Inspector. These pegs fold back-and-up at (as nearly as we could determine) exactly 45 degrees. They are very securely mounted to the frame, and have a mouse-trap type spring to hold them in position. Each peg is cleated, and has a turned-up end — to give secure footing.
Curiously, the Bultaco-Metisse, which is as much a scrambler as any scrambler can be, has clip-on bars, rather like a road racing bike. However, these are not a road racers' short, droopy bars; the Bultaco has bars that are separate, and bolt to the fork legs, but they swoop up and out until the grips are right where you would expect a scrambler's handlebars to end. The arrangement might appear a bit peculiar to traditionalists, but because the bars are separate, and can be slid up and down on the fork legs, the positioning of the grips is super-adjustable, and can be set to accommodate anyone.
Another seemingly curious feature is that the front wheel has an aluminum rim, while that at the rear is of steel. This looks odd until you remember that English and Continental riders do a lot of thundering along on the rear wheel, and it is the one most likely to get dinged by some big rock. Hence, the steel rim.
For installation in the Metisse, the Bultaco engine has acquired a cylinder with a center exhaust port, to bring the pipe out between the frame's duplex down tubes. There may be some difference in porting, too, as compared to the 200cc Bultaco, and even some difference between versions of the 250cc unit offered with the Metisse. They have an engine with parallel-fin cylinder head for flattrack and TT-scrambles; and one for moto-cross and scrambles with a radial-fin head. The former is said to have 31 bhp; the latter, 36-38 bhp. We would guess that these are rather optimistic figures, and that the truth would lie nearer 30 bhp for the flattrack engine. Of course, it is also true that whatever horsepower the Bultaco engine develops, the Bultaco-Metisse is right in there with the very fastest 250 flattrack, TT and scrambles machines. So, it is obvious that whatever the power figure may be, it is certainly enough. Moreover, it is power that is spread around nicely. Turn up the wick anytime and you get action; there is no waiting for the revs to build.
Under the heading of handling, we can insert only one word: "fantastic." This is a motorcycle that has no bad habits, and feels equally good to beginner or expert — except that, obviously, the expert will be able to better appreciate just how good it is. Most light machines (and at 227 pounds, wet, the Bultaco-Metisse is light) feel light, but the Metisse runs over rough ground like a heavyweight —only easier to handle under such conditions. It can be jumped, and put into slides, and all manner of fun maneuvers, with a controllability that makes even a novice feel at ease (relatively speaking). In all, it is the nearest thing to a perfect lightweight scrambler that we have seen. •
BULTACO METISSE
$865
SPECIFICATIONS
PERFORMANCE
