Friday, October 23, 2009

Harry Quinn RIP



No, my daily beater bike still is fine, thanks, but I just discovered that the man who very likely built it passed away about two weeks ago. Very sad. Apparently Harry Quinn and his brand was quite legendary, judging by the number people who rode his frames to numerous victories both on the track and road (Gordon Singleton above, legendary Reg Harris etc.), as well as the people who learned the art of framebuilding from him or worked with him.

"Harry Quinn - Top Frame Builder

News Posted: 8 October 2009

Harry Quinn, the man behind one of the country's best know and longest-standing cycling brands has died at the age of 92. The Liverpool based dealer and frame builder was a pivotal figure in the Merseyside cycling scene up to the nineteen eighties and touched the lives of many of the top riders through his prowess as a frame builder.

Amongst the top riders who used Harry Quinn frames were Bill Bradley, the 1959 Milk race winner and legendary sprinter Reg Harris. Harry also designed and built frames for other brands, including Viking.

Harry's business was located in Walton Road in Liverpool. His frames were generally shorter of wheelbase and steeper angled than those of other manufacturers and in an era when frame builders possessed almost mythical qualities for riders, to own a Harry Quinn framed bike placed you at the top of the equipment pecking order.

There's an interesting thread on Harry Quinn on the Veloriders forum, including some images:
www.veloriders.co.uk."



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