CCM Double Bars

Howdy folks..........Around about what year did CCM start producing the infamous double bar? When was the last year for the doublebar before the switch to the "camel back" single bar? Am I correct in thinking the doublebars were pre war?

8 Comments

The double bars were available as early as 1924 and continued until at least the end of the 50s.

John

The Motorbike style, double top tube frame was introduced in 1918. I'm not sure on it's last year, but it was still available as late as 1958. CCM never switched from the Motorbike to camelback style frame. Both styles were produced concurrently for over two decades.

yes i have a 1940 dubble bar cleveland real nice bikes i just got it done over real nice raider i will post pictures later

While looking through CCM catalogues for Bikelady I found some Information on Motorbike models.  

The "Motorbike" first appears in the  CCM dealer catalogues in 1921  as does the "CCM Flyer".    BUT   the first mention of the motorbike is in the 1917 catalogue in the handle bar section. In 1918 the motorbike is mentioned in the handle bar and the wood rim sections.

T-Mar you said it was introduced in 1918.   Where did you see that, in the dealer catalogues, in the Brochures or another source?  Maybe in "Vim" ?

In  1920 the  "Curved Bar"  was introduced and lasted  at least into the 60's.  It was sometimes called the  "curved truss frame" or "curved truss bar" .    The name camel back was never used by  CCM as far as I could tell.   Does any one know wher it came from?   Hopefully it will return.

Hope this is usefull.    Ron

 

Ron,

While it is not illustrated, the 1918 catalogue, page 4, paragraph 2, states, "We introduce this year two new models, a sturdy Road Racer, model "T" and a Motorbike type, model 'W"."  The Motorbike and/or model W are subsequently listed on the pages for Massey, Red Bird, Perfect and Cleveland models. The catalogue alternates between calling it a Motorbike and  Motor BIke.

Other sources do mention 1917 as the first year for the Motorbike. Not owning this catalogue, I was unsure if this may have been a typo, as the statement in the 1918 catalogue would  appear to be definitive. 

 

Thank you T-Mar  I completely missed that page. I guess I was reading the pictures only.  Those front pages are frequently  Company propaganda but not that one.   There is nothing like that page in the 1917 or 1916 catalogue. I will try to be more thorough in the futuire.       Ron

What I find interesting is that CCM introduced two, new models during the Great War. Normally this would be a time of material conservation efforts and reducing product lines. While bicycles were a necessary and vital mode of transportation for workers, one would not expect frivilous models such as Motorbikes and Racers to new introduced. Certainly, the extra top tube, longer reach handlebars and truss forks that are typical of a Motorbike consume a lot more material that would be better suited producing another roadster frame. It's not a case where the end of the war was in sight at the beginning of 1918.

After the USA entered the war they introduced legislation to control bicycle manufacture and conserve raw materials. Each manufacturer was limited to four models (two men's, one ladies' and one commercial). Racers and juvenile models were specifically prohibited. Rubber hand grips were eliminated, as were Mororbike tanks, truss forks, drop sided fenders and kickstands. They were restrictions placed on saddle styles (two men's, one ladies') and tire sizes (two only). along with several other concessions.  

The American consolidation within the industry is more representive of what we saw with CCM during World War II and it's quite perplexing that the 1918 CCM product line was being expanded and the catalogue contains such a wide range of products and accessories. It's quite possible that a lot of these products may not have have been actually available due to the war and CCM did have a disclaimer to this effect but it seems strange to have such an extensive offerings this far into a war with no end in sight. It's almost as if it 's a ruse, to keep the moral high on the home front, with an illusion that nothing has changed. If anybody has insight as to why CCM's marketing appears to be diametrically opposed to logic and policy elsewhere, it would be greatly appreciated.

Good points T-Mar.

Although the 1916 catalogue does not list a Motorbike model, it does show handle bars for both a Motorbike model and  a Juniror Motorbike model and describes them as being made in the company's factory. I wouldn't think it likely they made the handle bars before they made the bike, but like I say there's no Motorbike listed.