CCM Motorcycles enters administration after 50-year run
It’s a sad day for British motorcycling as the Bolton-based brand with half a century of history, CCM Motorcycles, has entered administration.
Founded back in 1971 by motocross rider and engineer Alan Clews, Clews Competition Machines carved out a reputation for lightweight, hand-built bikes with bags of character. But despite a loyal following and an enviable back-catalogue of boutique machines, the company has now run out of road.
CCM had seemed to be on an upward trajectory in 2021, when it secured a major investment from Pitalia Capital, led by entrepreneur Anil Pitalia. The deal was meant to fund an ambitious push into international markets, including Europe and the US. And new model announcements followed the investment, with CCM announcing a new retro adventure bike, called Project X. Sadly, that was canned due to financial troubles before we ever got to look at it. From there, the writing seemed to be on the wall for CCM.
Following the withdrawal of Project X, the workforce shrank, from over 50 to just 12, and production slowed to a trickle. Reports suggest that in 2023 just 150 bikes were built, roughly half the company’s usual annual output.
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.”
“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.”
Now, six associated businesses, including CCM Motorcycles (UK) and Clews & Sons, have formally entered administration. It marks yet another blow for the UK’s small-scale motorcycle manufacturing sector.
The wider picture isn’t much rosier. Completely Motorbikes, a key CCM retail partner, closed its doors last October, and three of its dealerships went into administration around the same time.
CCM’s downfall feels particularly poignant, though. This was a brand that embodied the best of British engineering spirit: scrappy, bold, and fiercely independent. Whether there’s a route back for the marque remains to be seen, but for now, it’s lights out at Jubilee Works.
Find the latest motorcycle news on Visordown.com
Simon (AKA Toad) has been working within the motorcycle industry for more than twelve years, and a member of the motorcyclist family since birth. Growing up around British-built single and twins, it was inevitable that a life on two wheels was on the cards, from a very early age!
