Bike heads for Bolton to watch the first CCM Spitfires roll off the production line. Expect tales of proper engineering, an if-we-build-it-theywill-come business plan and bacon sarnies…
WHEN, IN LATE 2016, CCM lost the supply of BMW derived engines for their GP450 adventure bike, the Bolton company needed a new plan. And quick. Inspiration came during the firm’s daily 10am tea and bacon butty break: ‘We all sat around a table and talked,’ says company director Austin Clews. ‘We were looking for something to bring to market quickly using the UK MSVA (Motorcycle Single Vehicle Approval) route for registering bikes. Chris (Ratcliffe – chief design engineer) had a few ideas, as did a few of the boys downstairs on the factory floor and we said, ok let’s give it a go.’
The MSVA rules enable a manufacturer of the scale of CCM to make a limited production machine with no catalytic converter, no airbox, a less restrictive silencer and no ABS. What they came up with was a unique interpretation of the street scrambler idea. Was it refreshing not having to comply with EU regulations to build the Spitfire? ‘Oh aye, hell yeah!’ confirms designer Ratcliffe between slurps of tea.
This story is from the January 2018 edition of Bike UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the January 2018 edition of Bike UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Mae Rasys Ffordd Yn Mynd
Look out Isle of Man the Welsh are coming, August 2018…
Ready For Take-Off
Bike heads for Bolton to watch the first CCM Spitfires roll off the production line. Expect tales of proper engineering, an if-we-build-it-theywill-come business plan and bacon sarnies…
Motorcycling: The Next Ten Years
Imagine a world where bikes know where cars are coming from, and vice versa. A world where there are no traffic jams, far fewer collisions and no filthy smog. In this building a very different future of motorcycling is being created. And it’s got an awful lot going for it, especially for bikers…
The Cuba Option
In 1996, adventurer Chris Baker shipped his BMW R100GS to Cuba. He learned a lot in three months and even wrote a book about it. It’s a great place to ride a bike…
BMW R1200GS Rambler
Accessory giants Touratech show how far the big GS can really go...
Suzuki SX-S750
You have to feel a bit sorry for poor ols Suzuki,they tick all the right boxes with their new GSX-S,but it's still not enough.
Ride Like The Wind
Named after a Pyrenean breeze Triumph’s Tramontana tackles the Panafrica Rally and proves it’s more than just a PR stunt…
Into The Valley
5 November, snow storms shut the Stelvio Pass for what could be winter. 4 November, Ben Lindley pops through on a 2018 R1200GS Adventure heading for Milan, and EICMA. At least that’s the plan...
Ducati Monster 821
Revised middleweight takes style advice from Monster 1200, but is it enough?
Honda GL1800 Gold Wing
After four decades at the top of the tourer pile, the legendary Honda Gold Wing gets a thorough reworking for 2018. And Bike have already ridden it...
