Clews Competition Machines (CCM), a storied brand in the UK motorcycle industry, has confirmed that it has entered administration (similar to Chapter 11 in the US), marking an unfortunate turn after more than 50 years of building a legacy of lightweight, handcrafted bikes with distinctive character.

Founded in 1971 by former trials rider Alan Clews, the Bolton-based marque originally became known for its hand-built, high-performance motocross machines. Over the years, CCM broadened its horizons, venturing into new segments with standout models like the Spitfire Scrambler and the trailblazing GP450 adventure bike, further solidifying its reputation in the industry.

But this week, CCM appears to have reached the end of the road, as confirmed in an official statement released by the company on June 2nd: “Sad news for British motorcycling – CCM Motorcycles has been placed into administration by Pitalia Group.” So what happened?

Things seemed to be looking up in 2021, when the brand received a major investment from Pitalia Capital. As CCM’s new parent company, Pitalia set out with ambitious plans of expansion across Europe and the United States. Announcements of new models followed, including the unveiling of an all-new adventure bike called Project X, promised for this Summer. Yet behind the scenes, financial challenges were mounting.

In March, CCM announced that its Project X adventure bike was being put on hold as they had to make a series of significant cuts following disappointing sales in 2024. The red flags were growing as the company scaled back operations, cutting its workforce from over 50 to just 12 and halving its annual production from around 300 bikes to only 150 last year.

CCM’s challenges were compounded when one of its key retail partners, Completely Motorbikes, shut down last October, with three of its dealers also entering administration. This forced CCM to buy back unsold inventory, adding further strain to its financial position. “Last year wasn’t the best for dealers. One of our major partners closed, which had quite a detrimental effect,” CCM Managing Director Jason Broome told MCN.

Unfortunately, CCM’s downfall is the latest in a market grappling with ongoing challenges. As of February 2025, data from the UK’s Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) shows a 30% decline in registrations compared to the same period last year, with no clear signs of a market recovery ahead.

“This is a challenging time for everyone involved,” CCM told TheBusinessDesk.com. “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.”