A method of assembling an axial flux machine comprising a clutch mechanism, the method comprising: supplying a clutch mechanism, the clutch mechanism comprising a cup-shaped clutch basket having radially inner and radially outer surfaces, the radially inner surface of the clutch basket comprising a first set of one or more clutch plates extending radially inwardly and the clutch basket having a first engagement surface for coupling torque in or out of the machine, and the clutch mechanism comprising a clutch plate bearer comprising a second set of one or more clutch plates and having a second engagement surface for coupling torque in or out of the machine, the clutch basket and clutch plate bearer being mounted for rotation about an axis of the machine, and the one or more clutch plates of the clutch plate bearer being arranged to be selectively driven in and out of engagement with the one or more clutch plates of the clutch basket; attaching a first rotor to the radially outer surface of the clutch basket, the first rotor comprising an annulus having a hollow central region and having a set of permanent magnets disposed circumferentially at intervals around the axis of the machine; applying a spacer to the surface of first rotor comprising the permanent magnets, wherein the spacer has an axial thickness that is less than the desired air gap between the first rotor and the stator of the assembled axial flux machine; arranging a stator co-axially and radially outwards with the clutch and adjacent the first rotor such that the spacer is contacted axially on one side by a first side of the stator and on the other side by the first rotor, the stator comprising a stator housing enclosing a plurality of stator bars disposed circumferentially at intervals around the axis of the machine, each of the stator bars having a set of coils wound therearound for generating a magnetic field, and the stator housing comprising first and second radial walls and cylindrical inner and outer walls to provide an annular shaped housing forming a hollow region about the axis of the machine, wherein the set of permanent magnets face towards the stator, and the clutch basket sits within the hollow region of the stator; and pulling the stator axially away from the first rotor to provide an airgap between the stator and first rotor to release the spacer from between the first rotor and the stator. supplying a clutch mechanism, the clutch mechanism comprising a cup-shaped clutch basket having radially inner and radially outer surfaces, the radially inner surface of the clutch basket comprising a first set of one or more clutch plates extending radially inwardly and the clutch basket having a first engagement surface for coupling torque in or out of the machine, and the clutch mechanism comprising a clutch plate bearer comprising a second set of one or more clutch plates and having a second engagement surface for coupling torque in or out of the machine, the clutch basket and clutch plate bearer being mounted for rotation about an axis of the machine, and the one or more clutch plates of the clutch plate bearer being arranged to be selectively driven in and out of engagement with the one or more clutch plates of the clutch basket; attaching a first rotor to the radially outer surface of the clutch basket, the first rotor comprising an annulus having a hollow central region and having a set of permanent magnets disposed circumferentially at intervals around the axis of the machine; applying a spacer to the surface of first rotor comprising the permanent magnets, wherein the spacer has an axial thickness that is less than the desired air gap between the first rotor and the stator of the assembled axial flux machine; arranging a stator co-axially and radially outwards with the clutch and adjacent the first rotor such that the spacer is contacted axially on one side by a first side of the stator and on the other side by the first rotor, the stator comprising a stator housing enclosing a plurality of stator bars disposed circumferentially at intervals around the axis of the machine, each of the stator bars having a set of coils wound therearound for generating a magnetic field, and the stator housing comprising first and second radial walls and cylindrical inner and outer walls to provide an annular shaped housing forming a hollow region about the axis of the machine, wherein the set of permanent magnets face towards the stator, and the clutch basket sits within the hollow region of the stator; and pulling the stator axially away from the first rotor to provide an airgap between the stator and first rotor to release the spacer from between the first rotor and the stator.