If there was an award for tenacity within the motorcycling world, the British firm CCM would win it. They’ve been going since 1971, when Alan Clews fired up Clews Competitors Machines in Lancashire. And at this time’s road-going Spitfire mannequin is one thing of a cult success, powered by a feisty 62 hp 601 cc single based mostly on a Husqvarna design.
CCM introduced this ADV bike idea to the Malle Mile, and it attracted plenty of consideration. With sandy yellow paint worthy of a Camel Trophy Land Rover, it seems like nothing else within the CCM line-up. And the corporate desires to know for those who assume they need to put it into manufacturing.
“It’s a little bit of a melting pot idea,” says Scott Lanzi, CCM’s product director. “Our lead designer, Owen, needed to do one thing radically completely different with the Spitfire platform, based mostly round our scrambling twin-shock heritage.”
“On the similar time, we needed to research longer suspension journey, and had been curious to see how far we might credibly go.”
Regardless of solely having 130 mm (5.1 inches) of journey, CCM’s present Maverick scrambler is kind of succesful off-road. It’s received grass observe occasions on the Malle Mile, and because it weighs a mere 145 kg, it’s excellent for what Brits name ‘inexperienced laning.’
However there’s at all times room for one thing extra hardcore. “Plenty of our clients additionally personal heavier, touring-focused journey bikes,” Scott tells us. “They’ve been asking us to revisit our earlier GP450 mannequin and develop one other light-weight single.”
That was sufficient to get the Bolton-based brains belief pondering. “Most of our present design and growth group trip or race motocross or enduro. And I feel one of many CCM advisors nonetheless has a poster of Gaston Rahier on his bed room wall!”
This prototype is just not a half-hearted styling train: little or no componentry is carried over from the present vary, apart from the entrance of the body and the engine. Designer Owen likes to get his palms on the facility instruments, so he fabbed up many of the prototype himself, in CCM’s workshop.
There’s a brand new swingarm, subframe meeting and engine cradle, with additional concentrate on engine safety. Additionally they zeroed in on retaining a low-ish seat top—830 mm—whereas rising the suspension journey to 170 mm. This permits for 2 completely different wheel sizes and maintains aggressive floor clearance.
The beefy tank is likely one of the visible highlights, however Scott reveals that it was a really last-minute design. “It was sketched fairly actually on a bit of scrap paper, then surfaced and milled from foam on a timber substrate,” he says. “If we go ahead with this idea, the tank will want some element work—however the 20-liter gas capability will stay.”
The remainder of the bodywork was designed from scratch and 3D printed. “All Owen’s work, actually,” says Scott. “We took our design cues from historic Dakar bikes and tailored them to create a bit of neo-retro look.”
Mechanically, the bike is fitted out with Öhlins suspension back and front, with bespoke triple bushes and rims from the Dutch specialist Haan Wheels. There are CNC-machined elements all through, plus just a few fashionable twists like multi-functional LED lighting.
CCM are retaining a detailed eye on weight targets too, aiming for a dry weight of 135 kg [297 pounds]. The projected 50 rear wheel horsepower ought to shift that alongside properly.
Nonetheless on the idea board are pannier racks, crash bars, and a high-level exhaust are on the idea board—and can seemingly be added if the corporate decides to progress any additional. And therein lies the crux.
“That’s the million-dollar query!” says Scott. “If we construct it, will they arrive?”
“As an idea, it’s been nicely obtained. That’s usually the case although—after preliminary excessive ranges of acceptance, whenever you finally attain the market, you’ve missed the boat. Or discover {that a} product is just too area of interest to maintain a bike manufacturing enterprise, albeit low quantity.”
CCM will resolve whether or not to construct this bike by the top of this yr. Do you assume they need to? Hearth off within the feedback under or flick an electronic mail to [email protected].
CCM | Fb | Instagram | Photographs by Wes Reyneke
