A thumping big single motor, a sprinkling of quality running gear and the allure of the slightly left field choice are just some of the attributes attracting shed and pro-builders to the CCM marque. My potentially awesome but non running, electrical gremlin packed CCM that is currently masquerading as a garden sculpture and attracting raised eyebrows from my better half attests to my belief in their donor potential. Maybe one day it might look half as good as this stunning effort by Anson Classic Restorations.
The story of this machine began some 4 years ago (still time for mine yet then…) when Jason Blackiston acquired a 2001 Rotax R30 supermoto that had been used for hill climbing. After generally roaring around a few short circuits with it, he realised it needed something extra.
“I loved the works 640 Rotax motor that was powering the bike, but the chassis was as ugly as an exploded toad and did nothing for me. I thought the motor would go very well in a twinshock flat tracker style frame to give it a more classic look (we do a lot of classic track days here).”
“I loved the works 640 Rotax motor that was powering the bike, but the chassis was as ugly as an exploded toad and did nothing for me. I thought the motor would go very well in a twinshock flat tracker style frame to give it a more classic look (we do a lot of classic track days here).”
As the tale so often unfolds with personal projects based in busy workshops the CCM found itself put out of sight and generally forgotten about, until fortune intervened. A flat tracker frame happened to come Jason’s way and with it the project quickly forced its way back to the front of the garage.
“The plan was to use as many parts as we had here at the workshop and try to make or modify as many parts as possible to keep the build cost down. I wanted a bike that seemed to flow and all the curves matched, like every part had been made to fit.”
To begin with however, nothing fitted the way Jason’s keen eye required and so the fabrication processes began. The standard bodywork was consigned to the fate it deserved and Jason began the laborious task of constructing his vision of a swooping Triumph Hurricane inspired one piece seat and tail unit. His good lady had to put up with many nights of him returning home covered in the inevitable itchy, sticky residue of a day working with fibre glass but eventually his hands had crafted a unit with the lines his mind imagined. A wonderful thing it is too.
“The wheels needed to be a size that would accept a good range of tyres from sticky track rubber to the more traditional chunky style that are popular in the current custom bike scene. 18 inch rims seemed to offer the best compromise as there was a full range of classic race rubber that would fit. We sourced these from Talon (very helpful chaps)”
With the rolling frame and bodywork complete fabrication time was assigned to items such as catch tanks, the battery box, front mudguard, number board and a myriad of other bits and bobs. The decision was made to keep the machine as pure and simple as possible, that meant the bare minimum of daytime MOT requirements and as little wiring as possible. Any of the shitty OEM thread impersonating wire was binned in an effort to prevent the electrical issues that thwart mine and other’s CCMs.
The front forks and yolks were surrendered for the project by a Triumph Thruxton while the rear shocks are custom alloy items modified to fit. The total build took just under a year with near every part requiring some form of modification. Jason was keen to use as many donor parts from the CCM as he could to keep it the same bike so to speak.
The resplendent paintwork was all done in house, the graphics were hand painted and lined by Jon Leeson aka Letterknight – who used Palladium Leaf for the numbers which was then hand turned to give the “engine turned effect”.
“The bike was finally finished and fitted with Conti Classic Race rubber and tried out at the fantastic airfield circuit in Lurcy Levis, France . The bike certainly performs and handles well. After the test we added the larger Heidenau tyres to give it the right look.”
With about 65hp on tap and loads of torque Jason reports the finished article will pull your arms out as the front wheel desperately paws at the air. Excellent. Taking a shed load of inspiration from this Anson crew creation I may just pull the covers from my recalcitrant beast come the next day off and try to coax some semblance of life out of it… Until then I will continue ogling this machine and imagining just how good it could be…
Thanks go to Mat, Guy Butler Photography (Twinkle), Jon Lesson (Letterknight), and Jase’s other half (Pinky) for putting up with him coming home covered in fibreglass for days on end…
via The Bike Shed
