CCM produced motorcycles from 1971 to 1980. They have been manufactured again since 1987.
The initials come from Clews Competition Machines, a firm founded by Alan Clews, of Bolton, Lancashire, and first called Clewstrokes.
1971 Following on from his success in scrambles, Clews bought a consignment of parts from the BSA competition shop when it closed. The first batch of machines, the Clews Stroka, was based on those parts.
1972 As the Stroka had been a success, the first CCM machines were produced, based on the BSA B50 engine, at either 499cc or 608cc, but with many refinements and modifications. Throughout the 1970s those big four-stroke motorcycles were very successful and late in the decade a trials model joined the list, followed by two-stroke scramblers fitted with Italian Hiro engines.
1980 Financial problems caused CCM to be taken over by Armstrong, although the machines kept the name for the following year. After that they were labelled Armstrong-CCM, and in 1981 the engine unit was changed to the Austrian Rotax four-stroke single (made by Bombardier-Rotax GmbH).
1987 Alan Clews bought his old company back and built it up by selling spares and Armstrong machines on back-order.
1989 CCM returned to the world of competition, with a range still using the Rotax engine.
1990s They continued with a range of trials and motocross models. The trials version had a two-stroke engine and the motocross models used a big four-stroke single with capacity ranging from 500cc to 590cc.
1997 A 'super moto' model was added. This was intended for road use and was excellent - if rather expensive. The motocross model was also available with Enduro or Rallye Raid trim, and fitted with a 560cc Rotax engine. After Rotax ceased production of the engine, CCM began to use Suzuki engine units. There were plans for a super trail model with a huge, Swedish V-twin engine, but nothing came of it.
2000s Since the beginning of the new century, CCM have continued using a Suzuki 664cc, plus a 400cc single.
- Note: The company has its own web site. [1]
See Also
Sources of Information
- The British Motorcycle Directory - Over 1,100 Marques from 1888 - by Roy Bacon and Ken Hallworth. Pub: The Crowood Press 2004 ISBN 1 86126 674 X