Bicycle manufacturers in Birmingham

[Phil Gundy]

I worked at Hercules Cycles in Rocky Lane Aston Cross in 1945 (I packed disassembled cycles in wooden crates for export), I was 15 and left when I joined the RAF in 1948. Later on in years I remember a specialist cycle factory in Greet, I think the name was 'Dawes' and specialised in lightweight racing bikes. this would be in the 60's. I believe BSA made cycles about that time too. There was a company in either Pritchett St or Phillips St, Aston called Phillip's who made various bits and pieces for cycles such as pumps, saddles lamps etc.... Eric

My father worked there just after the war when he was demobbed. He studied welding and moved on to Birwelco which was nearby

 

[RRJ]

A family photo of my GG Grandfathers bicycle business in Erdington with one of his sons.

He also set an early record (1870) riding 13 miles 600 yards on a Penny farthing in an hour.

https://olympics.com/en/athletes/victor-louis-johnson

 

[mikejee]

This was presumably at 22 station road, where he is listed in the 1900 Kellys

 

[Brookfields Lad]

A family photo of my GG Grandfathers bicycle business in Erdington with one of his sons.

He also set an early record (1870) riding 13 miles 600 yards on a Penny farthing in an hour.

https://olympics.com/en/athletes/victor-louis-johnson

View attachment 170519

What a fantastic picture. Where about in Erdington was the business?

 

[Pedrocut]

February 1898, Harborne Herald.

(Note the 31 years experience)

 

[RRJ]

This was presumably at 22 station road, where he is listed in the 1900 Kellys

I have 22 Station Rd as his residence but want's sure of the exact location of the business itself.

 

[mikejee]

As Kellys shows the business at 22 station road, that is presumably where it was based. I would guess it was the small outbuilding at the back (red on the 1950s map), accessed from the alley off Osbourne road

 

[Tinpot]

As Kellys shows the business at 22 station road, that is presumably where it was based. I would guess it was the small outbuilding at the back (red on the 1950s map), accessed from the alley off Osbourne road

View attachment 170523

It looks like they extended over the back wall into the alleyway in the photograph. Very enterprising.

 

[jmadone]

A trade catalogue for Halfords in 1910

 

[oldbrit]

Can someone show a map of where Bill Gameson's shop was please

 

[Lloyd]

Can someone show a map of where Bill Gameson's shop was please

About where the red star is near the middle of this map.

 

[mikejee]

To be more exact on 1950s map, in red:

 

[mw0njm.]

A Joy Tricycle Chain Drive, 1925 Unique & Unity Cycle st stephen st Bham

 

[Morturn]

I had a trike just like that, minus its mudguards, chain guard and lights of course. Solid runner tyres, I rode it to death.