Ccm 500

[8ob]

That's what makes them brilliant. Makes my ktm seem easy

I had a KTM with a 500cc Rotax in it like the one in that CCM, left hand kick start which I never masterered. Needed to line up timing marks in the window on the right hand side of the engine to stand a hope in hells chance of getting it going on the first kick, made worse by the kick start fouling the foot pegs on the way down. Beast of an engine

Bob

 

[mtt.tr]

I had a KTM with a 500cc Rotax in it like the one in that CCM, left hand kick start which I never masterered. Needed to line up timing marks in the window on the right hand side of the engine to stand a hope in hells chance of getting it going on the first kick, made worse by the kick start fouling the foot pegs on the way down. Beast of an engine

Bob

Haha fond memories have a wonderful scar on my shin from the Armstrong.

My first big bike was the left hand kicker so can start them with ease. Lovely agricultural engines

Let down by the oring between the head and cylinder

 

[stuvy]

My mate had a 125 Aprilia that was left hand kickstart, it did 130mph was a missile

 

[Rannsachair]

My 72 Beemer has a left hand kickstart, takes a bit of getting used to, but works ok. Though since fitting an Odyssey battery the electric start always works.

The kickstart is the alloy lever in front of the battery, Easiest to start on the centre stand with my right foot though.

 

[cheb]

AFAIK, may be unreliable: CCM was founded by Clews when the BSA racing department closed down, in short he bought it, spares and all. Made successful scramblers using BSA engines, and I think, moved onto using Rotax engines in scramblers and trials bikes. The bikes were sold direct by the factory. At some point he sold up, around 1999ish, and the company tried to expand and sell supermotos and enduro versions vis dealers. The old Rotax engine, available from 350cc to 636cc was replaced by a Suzuki 650cc single shortly after. Then there was near collapse of the company for various reasons, none of which were a surprise. I stopped keeping track of them after that.

They also competed successfully in the Paris-Dakar rally using Rotax engined bikes.

I bought a 640 supermoto new in 2001 and got to know one of the then current directors and got various guided tours etc round the factory. Cracking bike too.

Mine had a LH kickstart which I never successfully used. They also had a habit of knacking the electric start sprag clutch when the engine kicked back. I started mine by pulling in the decompressor, spinning the engine up and then releasing the decompressor. To stop I used the decompression lever.

 

[Shox Dr]

BIL bought a new CCM bobber at the NEC show last yr. Had loads of problems with it.

 

[mtt.tr]

BIL bought a new CCM bobber at the NEC show last yr. Had loads of problems with it.

That's a real Shame.

I realy wished the adventure bike worked out that they made, was the most cutting edge thing theyve built

 

[cheb]

There's a book about them, Rolling Thunder.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rolling-Thunder-CCM-Motorcycles-Odyssey/dp/0981727026

 

[Rannsachair]

There's a book about them, Rolling Thunder.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rolling-Thunder-CCM-Motorcycles-Odyssey/dp/0981727026

I have bought bikes for less than the cost of that book

 

[dobbslc]

@Matchless what was that 0W01 like? I've always fancied one!
Here my "mini" one

FZR400 RRSP.

 

[Matchless]

Never rode it, too many gears, It was a stolen recovered that the police had in storage in London for 10 years, I bought it when I was a salvage dealer as a std. bike direct from Norwich Union, £800.00, maybe less, very long time ago, only 1000 miles on it, sold it to my brother in law who rode it for a while and then highsided it, he let the insurance take the salvage away! DOH

 

[dobbslc]

£800!!!!
Ffffsake! Why can't I fall on one like that?

 

[a111r]

anything post 1941 is a bit of a mystery to me, well I know a bit about 50's AMC but not much.... once owned an OW01 though.

Got three nice little AMC manuals for le 4 temps 125 / 175 blocs moteurs serie G, if you'd like them?

 

[tom2207]

I’d love one but the price puts me well and truly off

Get a run on one first , I found the whole super moto thing a bit of a let down , I had a KTM 640 and sold it in about a month and went back to Ducati , I bought it on a whim as gig transport and just didnt get on with the big single thing , would have shaken the fillings out of your teeth , and wouldnt have pulled a soldier of yer sister .
Six teeth up on the back , and one down on the front and it still wasnt very exciting ,, may suit some but get a go on one before spending.

 

[stuvy]

Get a run on one first , I found the whole super moto thing a bit of a let down , I had a KTM 640 and sold it in about a month and went back to Ducati , I bought it on a whim as gig transport and just didnt get on with the big single thing , would have shaken the fillings out of your teeth , and wouldnt have pulled a soldier of yer sister .
Six teeth up on the back , and one down on the front and it still wasnt very exciting ,, may suit some but get a go on one before spending.

I had a ccm 604 years back it was a great fun commuter but the main thing is it slowed me down

I commuted on fireblades and my R1 but can’t stop myself opening them up or looking for a few miles an hour more exiting a corner

 

[Shox Dr]

I love big singles they come into there own offroad, especially deep mud. Oodles of torque. Raced a 450 yam for a while. (I owned a Maico as well but thats a TOTALLY different Beast)

 

[Matchless]

£800!!!!
Ffffsake! Why can't I fall on one like that?

I was a happy bunny , then my brother in law wanted it so my profit evaporated, he also worked for me at that time I had quite a few modern bikes but rarely rode them, too heavy, uncomfortable, too many gears! dropped a K100 or maybe an R100 RT I had just finished refurbing, doing a U turn, it fell over!

 

[Matchless]

Got three nice little AMC manuals for le 4 temps 125 / 175 blocs moteurs serie G, if you'd like them?

could you send me a picture, Pat

 

[Ruffian]

1973 bultaco left hand kick start.
Kick it right foot stood to the left of the bike with it cranked over.

Love the big thumped type bike.
New 1200 scrambler xe is such an enjoyable toy!!!

 

[James1979]

There was a South African bike mechanic who worked for Gavin Hockey in Colchester. Dunno if it’s the same guy, can’t remember his name. He wasn’t very capable.