CCM has been placed into administration, after a difficult 2024 which saw output halve to just 150 bikes. The move is a voluntary one by parent company Pitalia Capital, which bought into CCM in late 2021, with an injection of cash to help expansion and pass homologation tests. A post on the company’s Facebook page on 2nd June read: “A legendary name in UK bike manufacturing, known for their handcrafted machines and bold innovation, is now facing uncertain times.”

The news comes after months of uncertainty for CCM, which cut back its workforce to just 12 earlier this year, and suffered when Completely Motorbikes, one of its major dealers, closed its doors in October 2024. CCM was left with only eight dealers in the UK, and was forced to buy back stock. Always a small concern, the Bolton-based firm has had a sometimes roller coaster ride since it was set up by scrambles rider Alan Clews in 1971 to build off-road bikes based on an ex-BSA 500cc single. Against the odds, it survived more than one bankruptcy, a serious fire and the rise of two-stroke off-road machines. Is this the end for CCM? Time will tell.

Jim Freeman chair at the BMF said, “Sign of the times , I’m afraid. We’ve got used to reporting bike business failures recently: Marsh Holdings, South West Motorcycles, Marsh Motorcycles, Marsh Garages, Saltire Motorcycles, Pidcock Motorcycles, Completely Motorbikes, Street-bike and Mutt Motorcycles. And KTM are just about hanging on by the skin of their teeth. This is when businesses that are undercapitalised and with over extended borrowing face up to increased borrowing costs after years of cheap money. The winners will be those manufacturing in low cost economies.”

Paul Morgan CBE, the BMF’s Government Relations Executive added, “Unfortunately, there are likely to be more closures, with the current government’s economic and environmental policies doing little to help an industry that is clearly facing significant challenges.”

Written by Peter Henshaw

Top image courtesy of CCM Motorcycles