UK manufacturer Clews Competition Machines (CCM Motorcycles) has been producing motorcycles since 1971. Company founder, the late Alan Clews, launched the brand after building his own race-winning motorcycle. Over the decade’s CCM made a name for themselves competing in motocross, flat-track, trials, supermoto and road racing. Today, under the leadership of Alan’s son Austin Clews, the Bolton based manufacturer produces a modest range of hand-built limited-run motorcycles for use on the street, but their racing pedigree has not been forgotten. All CCM motorcycles feature premium performance components and are built light and nimble for pure riding pleasure.
The CCM Spitfire Cafe Racer is the manufacturers limited-edition tribute to our favourite style of motorcycle. The Cafe Racer is a pared-back and restyled version of the CCM Spitfire which itself was a limited edition model. Production of the Spitfire Cafe Racer is restricted to a mere 250 units and they’ve already been on sale for a while now – so if you want one you’ll need to act fast.
Each of the 250 CCM Spitfire Cafe Racers to be released comes with a numbered plate stating the position of the bike in the production run. The plate also bears a SkunkworX emblem which CCM has applied to models in their range that were designed collectively by their staff. Similar to other models they produce, the Cafe Racer is powered by an engine from another manufacturer. Beyond the engine, however, you’ll find a plethora of bespoke CCM made parts.
Another Big Single
Like the 2022 BSA Gold Star 650 and Husqvarna’s Vitpilen 701, the Spitfire Cafe Racer is powered by a large capacity single-cylinder engine. The engine CCM chose for the task is a 600cc liquid-cooled four-stroke Husqvarna motor that was designed by BMW.
At full tilt, the Spitfire CR will crack the ton to achieve a claimed 110mph, but it won’t be breaking any records getting there. The big single produces a modest 55hp and 58Nm of torque. When compared to other modern cafe racers like the Kawasaki Z900RS Cafe, Honda’s CB1000R Neo Sports Cafe or Triumph Thruxton R, those figures don’t seem like much. But what this cafe racer lacks in power it makes up for in handling.
CCM Spitfire Cafe Racer Specs & Features
The CCM Spitfire Cafe Racer is built around a handmade tig welded trellis frame. Constructed from high-strength T45 carbon steel the frame uses the Husqvarna engine as a stressed member. To celebrate the craftsmanship that went into creating it, each sweeping trellis frame is finished in a clear coat leaving the welds exposed for all to enjoy.
To keep weight to a bare minimum the 14-litre fuel tank is made from a nylon composite rather than steel. Sitting behind it is a quilted tan suede leather saddle with contrasting white stitching. There’s only room for one here, but lets be honest, passengers only slow you down.
The rear end of the Spitfire CR is finished off with a small wasps tail cowl and similar to many modern custom builds the bike’s LED brake light is integrated into the subframe. The rest of the Spitfire CR’s lighting is modern too with LED turn signals front and rear and an LED headlight up front.
The Spitfire Cafe Racer rides on modern suspension consisting of fully adjustable Marzocchi upside-down forks and a fully adjustable YSS monoshock. Stopping power is provided by a 320mm wave disc and four-piston Brembo calliper at the front, and in the rear, there’s a 240 mm disc and two-piston Brembo calliper. The wheels are matching gold anodised 19-inch spoked alloys wrapped in Maxxis rubber. In keeping with the bike’s cafe racer moniker, it wears ‘race inspired’ clip-on handlebars but the bike you see here has been fitted with wide flat Renthal bars for improved rider comfort.
To keep weight down CCM has utilised lightweight carbon and machined aluminium for many of the components of this bike. You’ll find carbon surrounding the headlight, utilised for the chain guard, forming part of the mudguard assembly and the 71 numbers side panels. The long list of CNC machined components includes the triple clamps, footpegs, headlight bracket and levers.
The result of CCM’s weight-saving efforts with the Spitfire Cafe Racer is a featherweight 142 kg (313lb). That’s about the same weight as your average 250cc motorcycle, so you can bet this bike will induce plenty of smiles. What will make you even happier however is the fact that you can own this cafe racer for a mere $12,500 USD which for a limited edition model is chicken feed.
Photography via Collecting Cars
