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Metisse Is Making Exact Replica’s Of Steve McQueen’s Mk3 Desert Sled

Metisse Motorcycles Steve McQueen Desert Racer Limited Edition 0 Hero
Photos: Metisse Motorcycles

First established by brothers Derek and Don Rickman in 1959, Metisse Motorcycles is a boutique British outfit that specializes in producing custom scrambler and desert sled frames primarily for British-built engines — though the company would later produce cafe racer kits for several Japanese makes as well. In addition to being ridden to a slew of high-profile race wins, Metisse’s desert sled motorcycles also gained a substantial amount of exposure thanks to actor, fashion icon, and motorsports fanatic Steve McQueen publicly singing the bike’s praises, famously calling it “the best handling bike I’ve ever owned.” 

Metisse Motorcycles Steve McQueen Desert Racer Limited Edition 1
Photo: Metisse Motorcycles

To celebrate the boutique outfit’s ties to the so-called “King of Cool,” Metisse Motorcycles has partnered with Steve’s son Chad McQueen to produce a limited edition run of highly-authentic replicas of Steve McQueen’s personal Metisse Mk3 down to his exact specs and including his same modifications. Constructed around a hand-built, brazed and nickel-plated chassis crafted from 4130 chrome moly tubing, the bike features a 21” spoked wheel set shod in Mitas rubber, a matching 4130 swing-arm mated to twin Girling reproduction dampers, and a 35mm Ceriani forks slotted in BSA yokes — just like Steve’s bike. Weighing less than 300lbs (dry), the bike offers 7.48” of suspension travel up front and 3.93” out back.

Metisse Motorcycles Steve McQueen Desert Racer Limited Edition 2
Photo: Metisse Motorcycles

At the heart of the bike is a reconditioned 650cc Triumph TR6 parallel-twin engine with a reconditioned four-speed transmission, an Amal concentric carb, and a set of high-mount chrome exhaust pipes — again, just like McQueen’s personal Mk3. The custom framework comes cloaked in a five-piece GRP bodywork setup that’s painted in McQueen’s livery of choice (Battleship Grey) and inscribed with the actor’s authorized signature on its 2.11-gallon tank. Also offered with a two-up seating option and an available Road Pack that contains everything needed to make the bike street legal, each motorcycle is sold with an included ‘Collection Certificate’ with each unit’s serial number and an endorsement from the McQueen estate.

Metisse Motorcycles Steve McQueen Desert Racer Limited Edition 3
Photo: Metisse Motorcycles

Limited to 300 units worldwide, the Metisse Motorcycles Steve McQueen Desert Racer is available for order now, with pricing available upon request.