Well, I had a lovely weekend in Kent in the end... went on the bike as originally planned and all was well.
I did post a thread about it here, should anyone be even vaguely interested
Last edited by Martylaa; 11th October 2021 at 17:19.
Last edited by boundary546; 11th October 2021 at 21:19.
Yes it does, it does appear to be a few of the lacquered ones that it seems to affect, but fair play to them it does appear they have resolved those issues, luckily for me the Blackout frame is powder coated.
I'll be fully checking it over whenever i get it and all i can say is i can't wait...
That smacks of a workforce who dont care and poor quality control.
When youre paying you whack for a bike, youd expect those building it to take pride in their work and highlight any blemishes. You certainly wouldnt expect the painter to carry on regardless.
A few shots from last weekend in Wales, from around the centre down to the Brecons:
Well I’ve just got back from a visit to Bolton to CCM, decided to go and see them all in the flesh and have a good look at them up close and see the different styles.
Initially I had wanted the Blackout but when I initially enquired I was told they had gone and to have a look at the Street Tracker, so I put a deposit down on one and then had doubts. They then contacted me to say they had a cancelled Blackout so I swapped my order over.
However the last week or so I’ve had doubts, will I be going off-road on the bike, do I need that second seat and also I really need to sit on them both and see how they feel before deciding.
So I turned up today and got talking to a member of their staff called Craig (top guy to talk bikes with) told him my situation and dilemma. Then spent a good while looking over and sitting on the bikes, listening to them start up with that glorious engine/exhaust sound and also had a look inside the factory.
All I can say is my mind is set now, I have no qualms about the bikes or any potential issues and also they were more than accommodating when I asked to switch my order back to the Street Tracker, it’s gorgeous up close and felt the better more comfortable bike when I sat on it, pleasantly surprised how comfortable the seat is on it as well.
Unfortunately couldn’t take any pics in the factory but the place looked well run and setup nicely, lots of bikes at different stages.
Anyway here’s a few shots of the bikes in the showroom.
The one i have gone for in the end.
Also looks like another motor fanatic is interested in their brand as well, they said he called in last week.
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Last edited by Martylaa; 12th October 2021 at 14:47.
That particular bit of welding is not great, but tig welding is by hand so there will be some variation in quality.
The corrosion is something CCM are putting right under warranty. Either a strip down & re-lacquer, or paint (which might be a better long term solution than lacquer) or in some cases I believe they have swapped the frame.
Requires a trip back to the factory either way.
I have a couple of small rust spots on my frame - doesn't spoil my enjoyment of the bike in the least.
Andy
Wanted - Damasko DC57
They may be prepared to get if powder coated for you if you ask as its probably the cheapest option for them.
that bottom weld should not have got through inspection on what is supposed to be a premium handbuilt bike , any welding ive done in the past would have been laughed at and thrown back at me looking like that.
if they have offered to put it right for free then its all good.
So now you need a CCM reg plate , nearly every one I see is xxxx CCM. I guess the lead time allows you to peruse the DVLA section . A lad I know runs a company that manufactures PPF kits for CCMs . He bought a very early flat tracker and created cad files from that.
Here is a link to his website which also has some spitfire type graphics via his e bay site
https://armourfactory.co.uk/
No affiliation other than I have been to his unit which is usually full of exotica being wrapped or ppfd.
Steve
Gonna stick my head above the pavement.
But I really can't see what the CCM thing is all about. I really can't.
Underpowered, impractical and overpriced old tech...looks kind of Ok...but that's about it.
Great for a second or third bike to pop to Starbucks maybe, but a bit of a nightmare for anything else.
I get that, it would be a boring world if we all had the same taste, but for me they really are a thing of beauty and sound amazing as well, tbh mine will be a second bike for leisurely relaxed rides out, I have a Ducati Multi which has all the bells and whistles on for when Im wanting that extra zip and going away for days.
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Last edited by Martylaa; 12th October 2021 at 21:20.
I agree it's definitely a second bike and as long as I can ride it I will keep my Blade, but if I could get a second bike in under the radar it would be a CCM.
I saw one a couple of years ago I think (it was on a club bike ride so must have been before lockdown), when they were perhaps more basic than now, and I loved it albeit it did have a "built in my shed" charm about it.
I think the power is spot on for what it is...definitely on my want list (that will no doubt remain sadly unfulfilled like most things )
Its an ideal bike for many things but not suited to others.
You certainly wouldnt want to go touring on it or any great distance but for a Sunday morning ride out or a track day on smaller tracks, it would be a hoot.
Its definitely horses for courses but we really dont need big bikes on the road these days.
Looks like Saturday is going to be lovely weather down here in the south east, so I'm going to take a ride out to the Silver Ball Cafe in Royston for a spot of lunch. If anyone fancies joining me just drop me a PM or text.
I did around 50 miles, and to be honest it felt much like my 18 month old version. One thing that came up though, was that it reminded me of how crap the triumph final gearing is. The gearing is a total mystery to me.
Standard its 17t front and 37t rear. This gives a theoretical top speed of 144 mph on a bike that is restricted to 112 mph. Its so high geared that you just cant use 5th and 6th on country roads.
My own bike is geared 16t and 39t and is so much more usable, it pulls harder in the mid range, and also does more MPG as you can use 5th and 6th a lot more.
Had a slight change of heart with the Streetfighter and ended up picking this up today.
Nickname is fat arse!
Wow! That is lovely. Tuono is the top of the game.... Still prefer my Streetfighter though because its fully analogue without any digital wizardry! You actually ride how you ride!
Yep agree but i need the help!
Plans for it to date are replacement seat in black.
Wheels off over winter and powder coat in anthracite or black.
Tail tidy already fitted so new plate ordered.
New pillion seat to aid with luggage other than that it will stay off the bike.
Thats about it for now,maybe a new Akra slip on but initial thoughts are the stock pipe sounds bloody lovely.
Last edited by waiteu2; 14th October 2021 at 21:58.
Edited
Last edited by Lammylee; 14th October 2021 at 22:51.
Wow what a good looking retro bike Kawasaki have just released.
Ill be very interested in seeing the ride reviews on this one.
Kawasaki Z650 RS.
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Yeah, spoke to our local Kawasaki dealer and he said they are expecting them to be a good seller, said hed already sold two and they dont even have them in store yet?
I was out at Whitby yesterday and passed these two bikes, original and new model.
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Kawasaki have done a very good job of reincarnation of a pivotal bike in history.
I think CCM are using the old 600/610/630 series Husqvarna engines that were from the era when BMW owned Husqvarna- I might be wrong but I think it’s the same motor as may be doing the rounds in the SWM trail/enduro bikes currently on sale, not sure if the motors are built in the old BMW funded Italian factory or Far East. Quite old tech.
One thing they are not, is the current (and fabulous) KTM/Husqvarna LC4 engines of 693 cc and approx 74 bhp that are found in the Husqvarna 701e/sm and KTM 690 enduro.
Husqvarna and KTM are one and the same these days of course.
Last edited by GOAT; 15th October 2021 at 16:03.
I very nearly pulled the trigger on one of the new Z900RS' - lovely bike that offers all of the power one would ever need with such a cool modern twist on a classic aesthetic.
Then i decided to buy a Gixxer and a Ducati Diavel... sometimes motorbiking just makes no sense lol.
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Thought you might appreciate this, but a neighbour of my Airbnb hosts in Kent had clocked the absence of a lock on my bike (I forgot to sling the bag it lives in over my shoulder when I set off) and insisted on lending me one of his; he also asked so nicely if I’d like to share a beer or two in his garage that it would have been rude to say no. And what a garage it was too, with not only a couple of old Bonnies (one complete with sidecar) but an all-original and absolutely immaculate Kawasaki H2 from the early 70’s. He rides it regularly, too.
^^^nice looking H2
I had a GT750 kettle back in the day, always wanted the H2 though
You may owe your life to that kettle. That H2 was savage for the day, but what set it apart in my book was its (lack of) braking power and/or feel. Fine today no doubt in the hands of the more settled riders we have become, but back then it was really a widow maker, especially on the wet. I was similarly fortunate although riding then the less sophisticated 500T, a mere twin 500 eyeing with envy the 3 cylinders because as we all know the grass is always greener
'Against stupidity, the gods themselves struggle in vain' - Schiller.