Armstrong-CCM Motorcycles

Armstrong-CCM Motorcycles was a British motorcycle manufacturing business based in Bolton, England. Its origins lay in Clews Competition Machines, or CCM, which Alan Clews established in 1971 using assets and technical remnants associated with BSA's off-road competition operation. The early business concentrated on competition-oriented motorcycles and spare parts, building a reputation in motocross and trail riding rather than entering the market as a mainstream road-bike producer. The company's direction changed in 1981, when Armstrong acquired a majority share in CCM. Under the combined Armstrong-CCM identity, the business expanded its engineering and manufacturing activities into several specialist segments. These included motocross and trail motorcycles, military off-road machines, and road-racing projects. The company also acquired rights connected with the SWM XN Tornado enduro motorcycle and developed the Armstrong MT500, a military motorcycle powered by a Rotax engine. The MT500 was supplied for military use, including service with the British Army, and electric-start versions were produced for the armed forces of Jordan and Canada. During much of the 1980s, Armstrong-CCM reportedly produced approximately 3,500 motocross, trail and military off-road motorcycles. The company’s capabilities also attracted outside licensing work. In 1983, Bombardier licensed the Can-Am motorcycle brand to Armstrong-CCM, which undertook development and production of Can-Am motorcycles. This arrangement broadened Armstrong-CCM’s industrial role beyond its own branded models and made the Bolton operation part of a wider international motorcycle program. Armstrong-CCM was also notable for its experiments in advanced motorcycle construction. In 1983, designers Mike Eatough and Barry Hart created a 250 cc Grand Prix motorcycle with a carbon-fibre frame. The design drew on the growing use of carbon-fibre technology in Formula One and was described as the first motorcycle with a carbon-fibre frame to compete in Grand Prix racing. This work represented one of the company’s most distinctive technical contributions, although the business remained relatively small compared with major Japanese and European motorcycle manufacturers. The Armstrong-CCM operation closed in 1987. At closure, Armstrong sold the military motorcycle business to Harley-Davidson and returned CCM to Alan Clews. The CCM name subsequently continued under Clews-associated ownership, while Armstrong’s road-racing department, including plans, tooling, remaining stock and manufacturing rights, passed to Colin Hopper’s CWH Developments in Lancashire. CWH later produced the 350 cc CM36 engine for the CWH Armstrong F2 sidecar outfit and supplied components for solo racing motorcycles used in events including the Isle of Man TT and Manx Grand Prix. Armstrong-related equipment changed hands again before the CWH-Armstrong concern was transferred to Rave Motorsports in Surrey in 2009. Rave initially focused on spare parts for existing Armstrong machines and considered producing replica versions of the Armstrong CM36 250 cc and 350 cc road racers for post-classic competition. An Armstrong road-racing relaunch was planned for the Vintage Motorcycle Club’s Festival of 1000 Bikes at Mallory Park in July 2010. This later activity represented an effort to preserve and revive the Armstrong racing legacy rather than a restoration of the original Armstrong-CCM manufacturing company.

Armstrong-CCM Motorcycles developed from Clews Competition Machines, commonly known as CCM. Alan Clews formed CCM in 1971 from the remaining resources of BSA’s off-road competition team and acquired spare parts to build motorcycles of his own. The enterprise was based in Bolton and initially focused on competition motorcycles, particularly motocross and trail machines. Armstrong took a majority share in 1981. The resulting Armstrong-CCM business expanded beyond its original competition focus. It developed road-racing motorcycles, acquired rights associated with the SWM XN Tornado enduro motorcycle, and produced the Armstrong MT500 military motorcycle with a Rotax engine. The MT500 was used by the British Army, while electric-start versions were made for the armed forces of Jordan and Canada. Through much of the 1980s, the company produced approximately 3,500 motocross, trail and military off-road motorcycles. The company also undertook contract and licensed manufacturing. In 1983, Bombardier licensed Can-Am motorcycle development and production to Armstrong-CCM. This arrangement gave the Bolton factory a role in producing motorcycles for an established North American brand. In the same period, Armstrong pursued advanced racing technology. Designers Mike Eatough and Barry Hart created a 250 cc Grand Prix motorcycle with a carbon-fibre frame, an unusual construction approach influenced by Formula One engineering and notable in the history of motorcycle racing technology. Armstrong-CCM closed in 1987. The military motorcycle business was sold to Harley-Davidson, while CCM was returned to Alan Clews. Armstrong’s road-racing department, including its plans, tooling, remaining stock and manufacturing rights, was sold to Colin Hopper’s CWH Developments in Lancashire. CWH later produced the 350 cc CM36 engine for the CWH Armstrong F2 sidecar outfit and supplied parts for solo motorcycles raced in events such as the Isle of Man TT and Manx Grand Prix through the late 1990s. The Armstrong racing assets later passed through another ownership change. Equipment was sold to a Super Kart manufacturer in Bolton, and in 2009 the CWH-Armstrong concern was transferred to Rave Motorsports in Surrey. Rave initially produced spare parts for existing Armstrong motorcycles and planned replica versions of the CM36 250 cc and 350 cc road racers for post-classic racing. A public relaunch of the Armstrong road-racing name was planned for the Vintage Motorcycle Club’s Festival of 1000 Bikes at Mallory Park in July 2010. These later activities preserved parts of Armstrong’s competition heritage but did not recreate the original Armstrong-CCM manufacturing business.

• 2010

  Planned road-racing heritage relaunch

  [1]Armstrong-CCM Motorcyclesen.wikipedia.org

  A relaunch of the Armstrong road-racing name is planned for the Vintage Motorcycle Club’s Festival of 1000 Bikes at Mallory Park.

• 2009

  CWH-Armstrong passes to Rave Motorsports

  [1]Armstrong-CCM Motorcyclesen.wikipedia.org

  Rave Motorsports receives the CWH-Armstrong concern and begins planning parts support and replica racing machines.

• 1987

  Armstrong-CCM closes

  [1]Armstrong-CCM Motorcyclesen.wikipedia.org

  The company closes; the military operation is sold to Harley-Davidson, CCM returns to Alan Clews, and the road-racing assets go to CWH Developments.

• 1983

  Can-Am production agreement

  [1]Armstrong-CCM Motorcyclesen.wikipedia.org

  Bombardier licenses Can-Am motorcycle development and production to Armstrong-CCM.

• 1983

  Carbon-fibre Grand Prix motorcycle

  [1]Armstrong-CCM Motorcyclesen.wikipedia.org

  Armstrong creates a 250 cc Grand Prix motorcycle with a carbon-fibre frame.

• 1981

  Armstrong takes a majority share

  [1]Armstrong-CCM Motorcyclesen.wikipedia.org

  Armstrong acquires a majority interest in CCM, creating the Armstrong-CCM business and broadening its development program.

• 1981

  MT500 military motorcycle is developed

  [1]Armstrong-CCM Motorcyclesen.wikipedia.org

  Armstrong-CCM develops the Rotax-powered MT500 for military off-road use.

• 1971

  CCM is established

  [1]Armstrong-CCM Motorcyclesen.wikipedia.org

  Alan Clews forms Clews Competition Machines from resources associated with BSA’s former off-road competition operation and begins producing motorcycles and spare parts.

A specialist British off-road and competition-motorcycle manufacturer combining small-series racing engineering with military motorcycle production and contract manufacturing.

• Military motorcycle

  Armstrong MT500

  A Rotax-powered military off-road motorcycle developed by Armstrong-CCM. The model formed part of the company’s expansion from competition motorcycles into military supply and was used by the British Army. Electric-start variants were also produced for the armed forces of Jordan and Canada.

• Road-racing motorcycle · 1983

  250 cc Armstrong Grand Prix motorcycle

  A 250 cc Grand Prix racing motorcycle developed in 1983 by Mike Eatough and Barry Hart. Its distinguishing feature was a carbon-fibre frame, reflecting the transfer of advanced lightweight construction ideas from Formula One into motorcycle racing.

• Road-racing motorcycle

  Armstrong CM36 250 cc road racer

  A 250 cc Armstrong road-racing design whose plans, tooling and manufacturing rights passed to CWH Developments after the Armstrong-CCM closure. Later activity focused on parts support and proposed replicas for post-classic racing.

• Road-racing motorcycle

  Armstrong CM36 350 cc road racer

  A 350 cc Armstrong racing design associated with the CM36 engine. CWH Developments produced the engine for an F2 sidecar outfit and supplied components for solo racing machines used in events including the Isle of Man TT and Manx Grand Prix.

• Licensed motorcycle production · 1983

  Can-Am motorcycles

  Motorcycles developed and produced by Armstrong-CCM under a 1983 licence from Bombardier for the Can-Am brand. The program represented contract manufacturing and engineering work for an external international motorcycle marque.

• 2009

  Rave Motorsports takes over the CWH-Armstrong concernStrategy

  Background

  Armstrong road-racing assets had remained in circulation after the 1987 closure.

  Action taken

  Rave Motorsports received the CWH-Armstrong concern and focused initially on spare parts and possible replica machines.

  Aftermath

  The Armstrong racing name was positioned for heritage and post-classic competition activity rather than regular mass production.

  Source

• 1987

  Armstrong separates and sells the business assetsM&A

  Background

  Armstrong-CCM ceased operations in 1987.

  Action taken

  The military motorcycle business was sold to Harley-Davidson, CCM was returned to Alan Clews, and the road-racing department was sold to CWH Developments.

  Aftermath

  The original Armstrong-CCM business ended, while its military, CCM and racing activities continued separately under new ownership or control.

  Source

• 1983

  Armstrong-CCM accepts Can-Am licensed productionStrategy

  Background

  Bombardier sought development and manufacturing support for Can-Am motorcycles.

  Action taken

  Armstrong-CCM licensed the Can-Am brand and undertook motorcycle development and production.

  Aftermath

  The Bolton operation added international contract and licensed manufacturing to its own motorcycle programs.

  Source

• 1981

  Armstrong acquires a majority share in CCMM&A

  Background

  CCM had grown from Alan Clews’s competition-motorcycle operation into a specialist British off-road manufacturer.

  Action taken

  Armstrong purchased a majority interest and combined its activities with CCM under the Armstrong-CCM identity.

  Aftermath

  The business expanded into military motorcycles, licensed Can-Am production and advanced road-racing projects.

  Source

1. 1Armstrong-CCM Motorcyclesen.wikipedia.org