I grew up drooling over CCM motorcycles before I was old enough to have a license. I think, somewhere in my mind, I also believed I was going to own one someday, once I had more mechanical knowledge, because they were notoriously finicky bikes. Well, it looks less likely that that day will ever come because the British manufacturer has formally gone into administration.
The Bolton-based brand has been producing motorcycles for more than 50 years, and you could always trace its bold supermoto styling back to its founder, motocross rider and engineer, Alan Clews—hence the name, Clews Competition Machines.
The hand-built CCM motorcycles looked different and felt different to ride, thanks to their lightweight nature and characterful engines. This is the reason that it wasn't surprising when the British manufacturer received an investment from Pitalia Capital, led by entrepreneur Anil Pitalia, in 2021. But, since then, the company's trajectory has been on a downward spiral.
After canceling an eagerly anticipated retro adventure bike, Project X, things went from bad to worse. The boutique manufacturer was made up of just 50 people, but over the past few years, this was whittled down to just 12, which slowed manufacturing almost to a halt.
Some reports suggest that in 2023, the company produced just 150 units, which is about half the number it usually produces annually. In a statement to TheBusinessDesk.com, a CCM spokesperson said, “This is a challenging time for everyone involved — our dedicated team, our loyal riders, and the wider CCM community that has supported us over the years. We are proud of the motorcycles we’ve built and the legacy we’ve shared with so many. We would like to sincerely thank everyone who has been part of this journey.”
They added, “We are proud of the motorcycles we’ve built and the legacy we’ve shared with so many. We would like to sincerely thank everyone who has been part of this journey.”
It's uncertain if there's any way for one of the most iconic small-scale motorcycle manufacturers to come back to its former glory. But, as of right now, it's just a sad time for the industry.
