Gameson cycles

[Claribel]

Can anyone tell me anything about Gameson cycles, I think they were made in Aston somewhere.many thanks Clive

 

[nigelgameson]

hello, i think we might be able to help you regarding your question to gameson cycles

 

[dennis]

Hi Clive,
I once owned a Gameson track frame that I used to ride on Salford Park cycle track,colour was red,but as it was so long ago 1950s, I'm afraid I cannot remember where I bought or what I paid for it. well made though.
Sorry I cannot be of help
Dennis

 

[Claribel]

Thanks Nigel and Dennis,

My interest is I remember Gameson cycle frames being sold in Dykes cycle shop in Winson Green Road in the late 40s early 50s. And one day my father took me to see an old friend named Alf ?? in Aston somewhere, that he used to work with at New Hudson cycles and Alf was then working at the company that made Gameson frames. My father was at that time working in Coventry at Coventry Eagle as a frame maker.

 

[nigelgameson]

Hi Clive

what do you want to know about Gameson frames
Bill Gameson was our father we are three sons who all live in Redditch the factory was in gt brook st aston.

 

[Claribel]

Thanks for the info Nigel, I just wanted to know where in Aston that the frames were made.

 

[tony smedley]

I bought a Gameson cycle frame for my then girlfriend around 1948-1949. My wife still has it. It was of the then not common "lugless" costruction, all the frame joints being carefully filed to fit and brazed together without the usual socketed lugs. The result was a very strong and lightweight frame. I cannot now remember very much about the premises, but if it was a shop it was a very small one! I have a hazy recollection of visiting a house in Aston.

Tony

 

[vandays]

Have just found the items about Billy Gameson. The first quality cycle that Tommy Godwin, double bronze medal winner at the 1948 London Olympics had, was built up using a track frame built for him by Billy Gameson. A picture of Tommy on that machine on the Paris track in 1947 appears on the ClassicLightweight web. In the early 1950`s Billy built a special road frame for Tommy bearing the number 234. Tommy has given me this frame which I am about to refurbish. I wonder if any of Bill Gamesons sons have any information on dating this frame more accurately?.

 

[horsencart]

Can anyone tell me anything about Gameson cycles, I think they were made in Aston somewhere.many thanks Clive

In 1955 they were in Great Brook St

 

[oldbrit]

gp to www.classiclightweights.co.uk they have a page all about Gameson John Crump

 

[oldbrit]

Hi Your wife still have the Gameson, I would love to see a photo of it, I owned and raced on one in the 50s Thanks John Crump oldBrit

 

[Graham]

Tommy Godwin riding his original 1948 Olympic track bike at Herne Hill in 2010! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5od4mA-A_k&feature=player_detailpage#t=17s

 

[Astonian]

HI CLARTIBELL
It was the late fiftys and very early 60 the dykes family bussiness for there fantastic expensive bikes on winson green rd set up shop
it was a small double fronted shop more or less just facing the smiuths arms pub on winson green rd just short of the number 11 bus stop going to handworth direction
mr dyke had a good collection of racing bikes and he certainly had a good loking daughter whom i knew personaly as soon as he moved in she looked like one of panns people pop dancers with the wearingof the lates dezigners clothes just like thre latest dezigner bikes sjhe was a friend of my girl friend named yasmin whom was a coupe of doors away from her shop
selling ladies clothes and baby wear her name was yasmin and she was also the friend of mr dykes bikes yasmin clothing shop on winson green rd
facing peel street but i do not think they stayed to long because we all thought that he was in the wrong area for selling expensive bike and that really meant
that his cycles was top of the range and way out of the local commutity to buy those were the days claribell best wishes astonian

 

[Claribel]

Hi Astonian, I remember Dykes cycle shop very well as I used to live in Wellington St, as well as the bikes and bike frames that he sold he also had a section of his window just for Dinkey Toys, used to stand outside the window and just look and wish that I had enough money to buy one. I also remember Yasmin's dress shop looked like a nice shop but I never went in.
My interest in Gameson frames was that my father used to work for the Coventry Eagle cycles,as a cycle frame maker he used to get a lift from outside the Smiths Arms at 06.30 every morning. Before working there he worked for BSA and before that The New Hudson cycle factory. He had a friend Alf Shuck that he used to work with at BSA and one day he went to see him and took me with him and he worked for Gameson. Your right when you said Dykes sold very expensive bikes and way out of my league but he always seemed busy. Oh I dont remember his daughter but I do remember his son.

 

[blue1772]

I have Gameson cycle frame cannot see where the number is any one know where they put it would love to know it's history

 

[BernardR]

Is it not under the part of the frame where the cranks are fitted. Ashamed that proper name evades me (bottom Bracket?).

 

[oldbrit]

I rode and raced a Gameson for years, it was a 21" frame light blue with dark blue panels my Midland C&AC club colours. I THINK? the # was under the bottom bracket. www.classiclightweights.co.uk has a page o Gamesons. I would love to see a photo of your bike, maybe its mine? send me a message and I will give you my email add. John Crump OldBrit. Parker.Co USA

 

[blue1772]

here is picture unfortunately I have to sell it now it is in classic lightweights this month

 

[oldbrit]

Barry I tried to bring up photo no joy. Can you email me the photo [email protected] have you listed it on Ebay and what size is the frame? I may be interested in buying it. John Crump Parker. Colorado USA

 

[BernardR]

John do a search on lightweight classics + Gameson lots of info.

Sent from my HTC Desire X using Tapatalk 2

 

[oldbrit]

John do a search on lightweight classics + Gameson lots of info.

Sent from my HTC Desire X using Tapatalk 2

I have lots of info about Gamesons BUT are you trying to sell yours? What size frame is it? can you Email the photo? I have all the Lightweight classic info is this the same as Classicleightweights the Peter Underwood web site? John Crump Parker. Co USA

 

[Grab1956]

Hi, I volunteer at a cycling charity on the Wirral, that supports people with disabilities. We recycle donated bikes to raise funds for new equipment etc. Sometime ago we had a Bill Gameson donated by a Colin Taylor, a brummie. I recently rediscovered it in an outhouse, which was quite exciting. I've spent a few weeks trying to find a good home for it, but have failed, so it looks like it will be going on eBay. The frame is in excellent condition, and the serial number is 204. We think this is from between 1956 and 1960 as Bob Witton one of Colin's friends has number 207 which he bought in this period. Apparently Colin bought his 204 off a famous midlands cyclist, he thinks his name was Charlie but can't remember more.

 

[oldbrit]

Great looking bike to big for me,I ride a 21" frame, but I am sure it will find a good home. Photo is me at Butts in Coventry with my Gameson that I had him paint in Midland C&AC club colours light blue dark blue bands,My Mom knitted my sweater also in club colours

 

[Grab1956]

Hi, that's a great picture, I'd have liked to have ridden then on the quieter roads. This Gameson has a 57cm / 22.5" top tube, and is quite tall. I'm not sure if it was to get a more relaxed ride or it was custom made.

 

[Grab1956]

Hi Clive

what do you want to know about Gameson frames
Bill Gameson was our father we are three sons who all live in Redditch the factory was in gt brook st aston.

Hi Nigel, I have a Bill Gameson bike that has been donated to a cycling charity that I volunteer at. The person who donated it is not very well these days. He's a brummie who moved to the north west many years ago. His wife thinks he bought it from a famous cyclist called Charlie who had ridden the tour of France, which can't be true. So I'm thinking the only cyclist in the midlands of this sort of stature would be Tommy Godwin! The frame number is 204, and I'm wondering if there is any kind of register that records who frames were sold to? A friend of his has frame number 207 and thinks he purchased it between 1956 and 1960, which gives an approximate date. Regards Graham

 

[oldbrit]

Hi Nigel, I have a Bill Gameson bike that has been donated to a cycling charity that I volunteer at. The person who donated it is not very well these days. He's a brummie who moved to the north west many years ago. His wife thinks he bought it from a famous cyclist called Charlie who had ridden the tour of France, which can't be true. So I'm thinking the only cyclist in the midlands of this sort of stature would be Tommy Godwin! The frame number is 204, and I'm wondering if there is any kind of register that records who frames were sold to? A friend of his has frame number 207 and thinks he purchased it between 1956 and 1960, which gives an approximate date. Regards Graham

Maybe is MINE?? I raced a Billy Gameson for years, 21" frame light blue and dark blue bands. By the way there is a Gameson page with all kinds of info at www.classiclightweights.co.uk By the way Charlie is Charlie Holland who was in my club did ride the TDF in 1937? , but I do not think he ever rode a Gameson John Crump Midland C&AC now in Parker.Colorado USA

 

[Grab1956]

Maybe is MINE?? I raced a Billy Gameson for years, 21" frame light blue and dark blue bands. By the way there is a Gameson page with all kinds of info at www.classiclightweights.co.uk By the way Charlie is Charlie Holland who was in my club did ride the TDF in 1937? , but I do not think he ever rode a Gameson John Crump Midland C&AC now in Parker.Colorado USA

Hi John, thanks for the info, it sounds like it may possibly have been owned by Charlie Holland as lots of things seem to fit. Alan MN who has contributed to the classiclightweight pages says he rode a Major Nichols at some point. The Gameson I have has 23.5 seat tube with a 22.5 top tube, and looks like it would have been used with mudguards. So I'm thinking a training or touring bike maybe. The frame number is 204 approximately 1956 to 1960, which I believe was at the end of Charlie's cycling career. I'm really enjoying this research, so any other nuggets of information you have will be gratefully received. Best wishes graham

 

[Grab1956]

The Bill Gameson I have is currently on eBay and has a bid of £229 on it (which will all go the charity), the bidder is a local,wirral guy who also has a Major Nichols, so going to a good home by the sound of things.

 

[Grab1956]

Hi John, thanks for the info, it sounds like it may possibly have been owned by Charlie Holland as lots of things seem to fit. Alan MN who has contributed to the classiclightweight pages says he rode a Major Nichols at some point. The Gameson I have has 23.5 seat tube with a 22.5 top tube, and looks like it would have been used with mudguards. So I'm thinking a training or touring bike maybe. The frame number is 204 approximately 1956 to 1960, which I believe was at the end of Charlie's cycling career. I'm really enjoying this research, so any other nuggets of information you have will be gratefully received. Best wishes graham

Ps, did you ever know a Colin Taylor, who moved to the Wirral.

 

[oldbrit]

Billy Gameson had a shop on Golden Hillock Rd that I went to a lot in the early 1950s This is where I had him build my frame and forks