Métisse Motorcycles

Métisse Motorcycles is a specialist British motorcycle manufacturer based at Carswell near Faringdon in Oxfordshire. The company is associated with lightweight, competition-oriented frames and hand-built motorcycles that draw heavily on the history of British scrambling, motocross, and classic motorcycle engineering. Rather than operating as a high-volume motorcycle producer, Métisse has focused on small-scale production, bespoke construction, and enthusiast-oriented machines built around distinctive plated-steel frames. The company’s modern history began in 1982, when former owner Pat French acquired tooling originally used by the Rickman brothers. The Rickmans had produced the first Mk1 Métisse in 1959, establishing a design tradition centered on strong but relatively light frames and rolling chassis for off-road competition. French used the tooling to produce later Métisse frame kits for British motorcycle engines, including Mk IV frames and subsequent MkIII retro-scramble frames. These products were intended for customers who wanted to build or restore specialist motorcycles using established British engines and components. Demand for retro-scramble frames weakened by the mid-1990s. French subsequently formed a partnership with Gerry Lisi to continue manufacturing. French retired and died in 2007, while Lisi continued operating Métisse from Carswell. The motorcycle business has operated alongside Lisi’s principal golf-course activities, making Métisse a relatively small and specialized enterprise rather than a conventional mass-market manufacturer. Métisse later expanded from frame kits and rolling chassis into complete motorcycles. These machines generally combine Métisse frames with purchased engines and cycle parts, while retaining the company’s emphasis on hand assembly, traditional materials, and period-inspired styling. Among the best-known products is the limited-edition Steve McQueen Métisse Desert Racer, a replica of the motorcycle associated with McQueen’s desert-racing activities in 1966 and 1967. The model uses a reconditioned Meriden Triumph 650 cc 6T unit-construction engine and was produced in a limited run of 300 motorcycles. Its design lineage is connected to a Métisse frame motorcycle built for McQueen by his friend Bud Ekins. The company has also produced the Hammer Mk3, a motorcycle derived from the Mk3 Scrambler. The model is associated with the motorcycle ridden by the character Ilya Kuryakin in the television series The Man from U.N.C.L.E., giving Métisse a connection to film and television motorcycle culture as well as to historic competition machines. Métisse’s most technically ambitious complete motorcycle is the Mk5, a bespoke retro-styled roadster offered in Café Racer and Street Scrambler forms. Unlike earlier Métisse motorcycles that commonly used bought-in engines, the Mk5 incorporates the company’s own Adelaide engine: a 997 cc, air- and oil-cooled, eight-valve, 360-degree parallel twin. The motorcycle uses a 4130 chrome-moly cradle frame, Ceriani front forks, Öhlins rear shocks, and Brembo braking components. Customer ergonomics and specification are accommodated during the build, and the purchaser receives a build portfolio documenting the individual motorcycle. Métisse’s positioning is therefore based on heritage, craftsmanship, exclusivity, and engineering character rather than price competition or production scale. Its products appeal to collectors, classic motorcycle enthusiasts, custom builders, and riders interested in historically informed British design. The brand remains active as a low-volume specialist manufacturer, with its identity rooted in the Métisse and Rickman off-road frame tradition while extending into complete hand-built road and scrambler motorcycles.

Métisse’s historical identity is closely tied to the British off-road motorcycle tradition. The first Mk1 Métisse was produced by the Rickman brothers in 1959. Their approach emphasized lightweight and strong frames suitable for competitive motocross and scrambling, and the name subsequently became associated with specialist rolling chassis rather than with a large-scale motorcycle company. In 1982, Pat French acquired tooling formerly used by the Rickmans and began producing Métisse frame kits for British motorcycle engines. The company’s early modern output included Mk IV frames and later MkIII frames intended for retro-scramble motorcycles. These products allowed enthusiasts to assemble specialist machines around British engines and other selected components. Métisse concentrated on high-quality plated steel and on preserving the visual and structural character of its competition-derived frames. The market for retro-scramble frames declined by the middle of the 1990s. To maintain production, French entered into a partnership with Gerry Lisi. French eventually retired and died in 2007, while Lisi continued the operation from Carswell in Oxfordshire. The motorcycle activity remained a small specialist concern and operated alongside Lisi’s principal golf-course business. Over time, Métisse moved beyond frame kits and rolling chassis to produce complete motorcycles. These generally used Métisse frames together with purchased engines and cycle parts. The company’s limited-edition motorcycles drew on well-known cultural and historical associations, most notably the Steve McQueen Métisse Desert Racer. The Desert Racer recreated the type of Métisse-framed motorcycle McQueen raced in the 1960s and used a reconditioned 650 cc Meriden Triumph engine. Métisse also developed the Hammer Mk3, based on the Mk3 Scrambler associated with the Ilya Kuryakin motorcycle in The Man from U.N.C.L.E. The Mk5 represented a further step toward technical independence and complete in-house product development. It was designed as a bespoke retro-styled roadster and used Métisse’s own Adelaide 997 cc air- and oil-cooled parallel-twin engine. The model was offered in Café Racer and Street Scrambler configurations, with customer-specific riding-position adjustments and documentation of the build. Its chassis and component specification combined a Métisse chrome-moly frame with specialist suspension and braking parts. Métisse consequently developed from a frame-kit enterprise rooted in 1950s and 1960s British competition design into a small manufacturer of complete, hand-crafted motorcycles. Its continuing appeal rests on limited production, historical continuity, distinctive frame engineering, and the ability to provide enthusiast-focused motorcycles with individualized specifications.

1. 2010Mk5 prototype developed

   A Mk5 prototype was developed as a retro-styled Street Scrambler and subsequently became the basis for production.

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2. 2007Pat French dies

   Following French’s retirement, Gerry Lisi continued running Métisse from its Carswell premises; French died in 2007.

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3. 1995Partnership formed with Gerry Lisi

   As demand for retro-scramble frames declined, Pat French formed a partnership with Gerry Lisi to continue Métisse manufacture.

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4. 1990MkIII retro-scramble frame production continues

   Métisse produced MkIII frames for retro-scramble motorcycles before demand for this type of product weakened in the mid-1990s.

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5. 1982Pat French restarts Métisse frame production

   Pat French acquired former Rickman tooling and began producing Métisse frame kits for British motorcycle engines.

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6. 1959First Mk1 Métisse produced

   The Rickman brothers produced the first Mk1 Métisse, establishing the frame and rolling-chassis tradition later continued by the modern Métisse operation.

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A low-volume British specialist positioned around hand-built construction, distinctive plated-steel frames, motorcycle heritage, bespoke specification, and historically inspired scrambler and café-racer design.

• Métisse frame kits and rolling chassisMotorcycle frames and chassis1982

  Métisse’s foundational products are specialist frame kits and rolling chassis designed for use with British motorcycle engines. Developed from tooling associated with the Rickman brothers, the frames emphasize high-quality plated steel, low weight, strength, and competition-inspired geometry. Mk IV and MkIII products supported custom builds and retro-scramble motorcycles for enthusiasts seeking a historically informed alternative to standard production frames.

• Steve McQueen Métisse Desert RacerLimited-edition replica motorcycle

  A limited-edition complete motorcycle recreating the Métisse-framed desert racer associated with Steve McQueen’s riding in 1966 and 1967. The model uses a fully reconditioned Meriden Triumph 650 cc 6T unit-construction engine and was produced as a numbered run of 300 motorcycles. Its historical connection also reflects the work of Bud Ekins, who built McQueen’s original motorcycle.

• Métisse Hammer Mk3Retro scrambler

  The Hammer Mk3 is derived from the Métisse Mk3 Scrambler. It is associated with the motorcycle used by the character Ilya Kuryakin in the television series The Man from U.N.C.L.E., linking the model to screen motorcycle history while retaining the company’s competition-derived frame and scrambler styling.

• Métisse Mk5Bespoke retro roadster2010

  The Mk5 is Métisse’s most complete and technically ambitious motorcycle. It uses the company’s 997 cc Adelaide eight-valve, air- and oil-cooled 360-degree parallel-twin engine, a 4130 chrome-moly cradle frame, Ceriani front forks, Öhlins rear shocks, and Brembo brakes. It is offered as a Café Racer, with or without a nose fairing, or as a Street Scrambler. Each motorcycle is hand-built and can be adjusted to the customer’s dimensions, with a build portfolio documenting its individual specification.

• 2010Development of the Mk5 complete motorcycleProduct launch

  Métisse had traditionally been known for frames and motorcycles using purchased engines and components.

  What changed. The company developed the Mk5, incorporating its own 997 cc Adelaide parallel-twin engine and offering Café Racer and Street Scrambler configurations.

  Aftermath. The Mk5 expanded Métisse’s identity from specialist frame maker toward bespoke complete-motorcycle manufacturer.

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• 1995Continuation of manufacture through partnershipStrategy

  Demand for MkIII retro-scramble frames weakened by the mid-1990s, creating pressure on the small specialist operation.

  What changed. Pat French formed a partnership with Gerry Lisi to continue manufacturing Métisse products.

  Aftermath. Lisi later continued running Métisse after French’s retirement and remained associated with the Carswell operation.

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• 1982Re-establishment of Métisse frame manufacturingStrategy

  Pat French obtained tooling associated with the Rickman brothers after the earlier Métisse frame tradition had become historically established.

  What changed. The company resumed production of specialist frame kits for British motorcycle engines, focusing on lightweight, strong plated-steel frames and rolling chassis.

  Aftermath. This frame-centered business became the foundation for Métisse’s later complete motorcycles and preserved the brand’s connection with British motocross and scrambling.

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1. Métisse Motorcycles
2. Métisse Motorcycles official website