Titled as a 1969 model, this Métisse was built during the summer of 1970 by John Cooper of Rocky Mountain Motorcycles, Boulder, Colorado. John, a masterful mechanic, balanced the 1967 TR6C 650 engine, installed low compression pistons, Johnson Motors TT cams, a heavier flywheel and wide-ratio gears. For several years, this Rickman was used for serious trail riding. It has never been restored.

This bike was bought from John Cooper in 1998 by Terry Bush, the former parts manager of Rocky Mountain Motorcycles. It was sold again in February of 2002 to Verle Nelson, a former TR6-riding customer of Rocky Mountain Motorcycles. In October of 2003, Verle Nelson sold this Rickman to a friend, Ernie Phillips, of Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Don and Derek Rickman had a background in off road racing where they earned a series of 50 victories, including the Belgian GP in 1959 and French GP in 1960. During the sixties, they became world renown for their speciality machines made for motocross, scrambles and also road racing. These motorcycles, usually shipped in kit form and fitted by the builder with one of several suitable engines, were named "Métisse" (French for "half-breed"). All frames had a classic dual cradle design built with brazed Reynolds 531 tubing, then nickel plated.

In the early '70s, Rickman was England's largest motorcycle manufacturer. In 1974, Rickman was awarded the "Queen's Award to Industry" for their export business. But also in 1974, Triumph/BSA died and the export contract into the U.S. was not extended. This was disastrous for Rickman since 90% of their production went to the U.S.