The Rickman brothers were already established moto-cross stars when they built the first Metisse in 1959 and within a decade their company would grow to become one of the biggest and best-known independent motorcycle frame-makers. In 1961 they introduced the first Rickman frame, designed specifically for unit construction Triumph and BSA Victor engines, but as time and development progressed, they began to experiment with smaller, more modern power plants, such as Spain’s Montesa.
Founded in the mid-1940s in Barcelona, Montesa entered road racing in the early 1950s but its major impact on motorcycle sport would be away from the tarmac, the Scorpion and Capra moto-crossers and Cota trials being the equal of any of their contemporaries. Developed by the factory test rider Pedro Pi, Montesa’s first trials machine arrived in 1967 and the following year Pi won the Spanish Trials Championship on one, now re-titled ‘Cota’. In the UK, six-time British trials champion Malcolm Rathmell did much to promote Montesa after he joined as development rider in 1974, winning the Scott Trial in 1975 and 1976. In 1974 the original 250cc Cota was succeeded by the Rathmell-developed Cota 348 (actually 306cc capacity) which featured a six-speed gearbox and weighed in at around 195lb. The Cota 349 followed in 1979 and was ridden by Rathmell to win that year’s Scottish Six Days and Scott trials, while Ulf Karlson took the World Trials Championship on one in 1980.
Having been on static display in the MotoTalbott Museum in Carmel, California for some time, the bike has been re-commissioned to ready it for sale, but further fettling may be necessary before returning it to regular use.
Engine no. 53M0677
Frame no. 1065
Location: Ventura, California
SOLD
