Silver Eddie Soens

A big thank you to Rob of Chester, for sending in the photo's and info on his Eddie Soens bicycle.

I have been reading several references to Eddie Soens frames on your site, and also here and elsewhere comments from Mr Bill Soens about the history of the family and frame-making. I have an Eddie Soens, frame number 331, so I presume it was built by Bill. I have had it since 1972, having bought it second hand from Mr Bill Twiddle’s shop on Lawrence Road. I think it’s a beautiful and elegant frame.

A couple of photos are attached of the bike in its current condition. I am talking to C&G Finishes in Liverpool about restoring it, since it is almost certain that they did the original job!  Note the head badge. I am trying to source copies of this, but I suspect that it is hand painted, as is the name on the down tube.

The name ”J Dorian” is sign written on the left side of the top tube. I have failed to discover who he was – perhaps a club cyclist in the Sefton Park or Edge Hill  area. I would like to think that the bike was built and painted especially for him.

The original equipment (or rather, as I bought it) was as follows:

A badly worn Zeus Chainset and rings; Campagnolo Record gears and shifters (still working perfectly after all these years); Fiamme sprint rims on FF Atom hubs, with Wolber Junior tyres; Universal brakes with Wienmann levers; A Wienmann stem; and a Brooks Professional saddle. After several years of neglect, in 1990  I replaced the wheels with Mavic MA2 rims on Shimano 105 hubs, and inexplicably replaced the saddle with something more comfortable. I have regretted that since finding out the cost of replacing it with an original one again.

I don’t know if any of this is of interest, but I thought I would share it anyway.

Certainly a lovely looking bike.

Please contact us at merseysidebicycles@gmail.com

Single speed GPH

Colin of Ellesmere Port, sends the following info.

I wonder if you can help me? Last year I bought a GPH restored Clifton Bikes frame on eBay. Had it built up as a single speed and I’ve ridden it through the Winter. The freewheel is already showing signs of serious wear! So I’m planning on a new rear wheel at some point but I’m now thinking of having the frame resprayed/re-chromed too. Read your blog about Geoff Hughes and it was mentioned that he still has some original decals? I do go to the Eureka now and again but was wandering if you’re able to contact him and ask him if these decals are indeed still available for sale? The picture shows the bike when it had just been rebuilt, original paint job. There’s probably an argument to leave as is and on the whole, apart from the wheel set, that’s what I intend to do. However I’d like some bottle bosses adding and the cable guides/down tube shifter mounts removing, hence the respray and the question about the decals. There’s a name on the frame as well, it belonged to K.S.N. Orum of the Anfield BC, it’s a Reynolds 531 frame set and rides beautifully.


Anyone know KSN Orum, let us know at merseysidebicycles@gmail.com

Corrado

Thanks again to Roy out in Slovenia.

  Here are a few pics of the Corrado - it's a little too large for me, otherwise I'd definitely keep it as it rides lovely, it really does have that special lively, magic, something :-)

Corrado Custom Cycles appear to have been the last Merseyside frame builders, (unless you know any different) and gained a fine reputation while they were in business.

Please contact us at merseysidebicycles@gmail.com 

Red Whitcomb

Thanks to Ricky, for sending in some photo's of his lovely Bill Whitcomb.

I must say the Whitcomb looks stunning in red and chrome.

If you have any stories or information on bikes made in Merseyside, please contact us at merseysidebicycles@gmail.com

Long way from home

A big thanks to Roy, out in Slovenia. For sending photo's and information on his new project.

I'm writing to you regards an old Jim Soens frame that I acquired on a recent trip to the UK.
I've attached 5 pics but will send a few more in a separate email. Please accept my apologies for the low quality of the images.
I'm originally from Liverpool but have lived in Slovenia since 2002 (never lost my accent, always a scouser) so have  had a long interest in bikes from Liverpool builders, having owned a Harry Quinn, a Dave Quinn and a lovely Corrado which I've just sold.

Anyway, I bought this frame from a chap near Bilston and have just unpacked it today.
It appears to be an original Jim Soens going by the information I can find on the web. The paint may even be original and the remnants of the Jim Soens decals can be seen on the downtube. It has a small 'Soens Bros' decal with 'Liverpool' below with a Union Jack and Olympic style rings.
The head tube decal (J Bodman, Woodgreen) may have been a bike shop?
It has the nice fluted, almost wrap around, top of seat stays that I believe was a bit of a Jim Soens trademark, and the bottom bracket and lugs are Nervex.
It has a serial No. on the bottom bracket as well as other numbers which at first I thought were the frameset angles. The rear OLD is 116mm and I'm sure it would have had 27" wheels.
It's no lightweight and going by it's relaxed frame angles, I'd say it was a touring frame.
The splined bottom bracket has intrigued me as it doesn't look like any of the modern ones that I know of, so I'll have to investigate some more.

Incidentally, I came across your excellent website as I was trying to find out some info about the frame. I've bought wheels & a frame in the past from Pete Matthews so I was pleased to see the Jim Soens connection re. the same shop premises in Lower Breck road.

Hoefully Roy will keep us informed of his progress.

Wife's Fothergill.

Frame pre-restoration above.

A big thank you to Neil Jones of New Brighton Cycling Club. Who sent in the pictures of his wife's James Fothergill.
New Brighton Cycling Club have a facebook page, and a new website coming online soon.

RJ Quinn restoration

Many thanks to Vaughan Ward, for the pictures and info on his lovely RJ Quinn.

I used to live in North Wales in the 60s and started dabbling in 10 mile TTs.  My brothers' old Falcon that I was using weighed half a ton so with my first few months wages I treated myself to a bespoke frame made by R J Quinn.  Sadly, we parted company when I left N Wales to seek my fortune (in the RAF!).  Almost half a decade later, I decided to recapture my youth and start a project.  Via eBay, I purchased this old warhorse last winter:

  It was being used by a chap in Liverpool as an all-weather somewhat battered and unloved commuter.  Nevertheless, a starting point.  So I ditched the various bolt-ons that were different to my original and did my best from memory to replicate them, including the colour scheme.  I don’t remember RJ giving me a choice……it was blue and white.  Was he a toffee supporter?  I seem to remember brother Harry’s bikes were often red.  Is this why they fell out?  I digress.

So here is the ‘copy', having finished it last month.  

I took up cycling again on early retirement 2 years ago and have really embraced it with a couple of modern carbon bikes to help get me up the hills (I live in the Chilterns).  I took the beautifully running (if I say so myself) R J Quinn out last week with my usual club, in a mid-stream group I usually have no problem staying with.  My goodness me: what a salutary lesson as to how far bikes have come in that time.  To the uninitiated, a ‘racing bike’ (as we used to call road bikes) looks just like any other.  The basic triangle with a wheel at each end and a pair of pedals in the middle.  So what’s new?  But I had to work so very hard on the Mighty Quinn to try and stay with these carbon/alloy/titanium-mounted guys.  I still love it though.

When I research online, I seem to be able to find a fair amount of info about brother Harry’s bikes, but little about the Edge Lane faction.  Any RJQ tit-bits from your readership would be useful.

Regards

Vaughan War

Happy Owner - Amersham Road Cycling Club

So any more info on RJ Quinn. Contact us at merseysidebicycles@gmail.com 

Liverpool Mercury Cycling Jersey

A big thanks to Mark of Liverpool for sending in a picture of a early 70's Liverpool Mercury cycling club jersey, who at the time were sponsored by Harry Quinn,

We'd love to see any Merseyside cycling related memorabilia.

Contact us at merseysidebicycles@gmail.com

More Time Trial action

A big thanks to Paul Gittens for sending in a couple of nice TT pictures, Paul adds the following information.

"As you asked for racing photos I've attached a couple of me on proper Merseyside bikes, both taken by Bob Prince.  Perhaps Bill Soens might recognise the Eddie Soens, it was built for a lad from Wrexham called Arthur Humphries in around '62 who was introduced to Eddie's shop by the local Wrexham 'fast lad' of the day, Paddy Lloyd.  Eddie had taken Paddy 'under his wing' as he had done a couple of fastish rides on the local D1 course but he never really lived up to it and retired not long after.  Paddy had an Orange Eddie Soens time trial '55 Special', I wonder what happened to it?

The bike in the above photo is a Harry Quinn (what else!) bought in '64.  I rode it until '69 using it in TT's and RR's when in '69 I got a Bob Jackson for some godforsaken reason (must have been swayed by the advertising) which never had the 'feel' of the HQ. Did all (or most) of my best rides on the HQ including first time 'inside' and 4 wins in TT's and a crit at Alton Towers.  The photo I sent was taken on the finishing circuit of the West Cheshire TTCA 12hr in '65 when I was 18 and did 236 miles."

I must say Paul looks fresh and well in the above photo, after 236 miles, must be something to do with being 18.

Early 50's Fothergill Catalogue

Yet again a great big thank you to Mike Duffy, for searching out another catalogue.

As Mike explains, it's a bit difficult to fully date this catalogue.

   "I enclose my latest offering which is not dated, although I have compared prices in the 1952 and 1953 editions.


 Le Grimpeur JF/18  £17 17  6                 1953
 Le Grimpeur JF/18  £17 17  6                 1952
 Le Grimpeur JF/18  £16  5  0                   unknown year

 Le Routier    JF/15  £13  5  0                   1953
 Le Routier    JF/15  £13  5  0                   1952
 Le Routier    JF/15  £13  5  0                    unknown year

 Le Classique ladies JF/11  £11 11  0       1953
 Le Classique ladies JF/11  £11 19  6       1952
 Le Classique ladies JF/11  £11 00  0        unknown year

 Le Routier Massed Start  JF/16 £13 17 0  1953
 Le Routier Massed Start  JF/16 £13 17 0  1952
 Le Routier Massed Start  JF/16 £13 17 0   unknown year

  There are also models in this catalogue which are not listed in 1952 or 1953.
  North Wales lugged model JF/13
  Ekla lug model   JF/14
and three tandems, JF/19,20,21.

 Most of the prices listed under 'alternatives' are the same as in 1952 catalogue, but chrome plating is not listed whereas it is available in the unknown year edition.
  As you can see it is difficult to put an accurate date on it."

Thanks again to Mike for the catalogue.

A fellow blog reader has found out a old photo of Mike, racing at the Newcastle under Lyme track on a chrome James Fothergill track bike.

Hope you like the photo Mike.

A Brace of Quinns

A big thank you to Mark from Liverpool for sending us some pictures of his two lovely Harry Quinn's.
Mark adds the following information.

"Well here are some photos (the background isnt to good, with the bike leaning against the young fella's tramploline).

I was after a Harry Quinn for a while but in my experince there seemed to be more of the "Badged" bikes out there than the real ones, anyway I had a Colnago and a Terry Dolan so I was happy enough, if a Quinn came my way fine but my quest went hot and cold depending on what the Mrs, the Kids, the dog, or my old Norton motorbike needed. Then I heard there was a fella not far from me who was after selling his Harry Quinn, so I went over to have a look. my plan was to see if the frameset was ok and to do it up with modern components so I could go for a burn up at the weekend. When I seen the bike my eyes where on stalks, it was imacculate, it didnt look like it had been ridden, everything was sparkling the red paint, the chrome and Campag Nuovo Record throughout - Sold with no haggling.

The problem was, I just sat there staring at it, I wouldnt take it out, and I'd get rather cross if a spec of dirt landed on it, if I had my way it would be on the wall over the fireplace, but if I tried that, I'd get a belt in the gob from .... Herself

Fast forward a few years and another Quinn crossed my path, this one was used (but not worn out) and it had a selection of various components, it would be ideal to modernise, so I purchased it from a first class young fella from the Fylde, and the outcome is my Black Quinn which I ride all the time, I love it. (just managed to squeeze a 28-11 casette in the rear dropouts)

The frame number on the red Harry Quinn looks like Q2836, and the black Harry Quinn is Q1893 and thats all I know about them really, apart from the fact they are great fun. My Colnago may have been made on some misty mountain top in the Alps by 12 beautiful Italian women (supervised by Mr Ernesto Colnago himself) but as a Scouser I would rather have a Harry Quinn, made just a good (wind assisted) goal kick from Goodison Park, Home of the Blues."

So thanks to Mark for showing us his lovely Harry Quinns.

The Yellow Jersey

Congratulations to Bradley Wiggins and Team Sky, and thank you for making us very proud.

1946 Jim Soens Frameset

VCC member Jon Foster from Lincolnshire, has sent us in some photo's of his 1946 lugless Jim Soens frame. Jon was fully intending to carry out a full restoration on the frame, he had already purchased the frame decals. But due to a change of circumstances, Jon's afraid he is going to have to sell the frame.

So if any off our readers in interested in owning a nice early Jim Soens frameset, i can pass on your contact details to Jon.
 

St Mars d'Egrenne Cycle Race

St Mars d'Egrenne Cycle Race 13th June 1976

Friend of the blog Mike Duffy sent the above photo in with his 1972 Harry Quinn restoration pictures.
I asked Mike, what himself and his Harry Quinn were doing in France, and Mike gave us the following information.

 "In 1975 I travelled to Normandie to ride for a club based in St Hilaire du Harcouet. I spent three seasons there , riding over a hundred races, mainly in Brittany and Normandie.

  At that time virtually every village, at some time during the season, held a ' Fete ' which is a day or sometimes two of something like an english country fair. Fairground rides, 'ball trap' ( clay pigeon shooting ). a cycle race in the afternoon, and a ' Bal ' ( dance ) in a large marquee in the evening. The whole village would take part and people would come from all over the area. Races were held on a circuit  which passed through the centre of the village every lap.Signing on for the riders was usually at the local cafe bar. The race was usually between 100 and 150 kms and the circuit length between 10 and 15 kms so you would pass through the village maybe on 10 occasions. Lap 'primes' were collected from the crowd and were fiercely contested each time over the finish line.

   You didn't have to finish the race to be eligible for any 'primes that you may have won.
After the race you would collect the cash from the cafe bar. The prize money that you had won by being placed in the race was allocated to your licence number and at the end of the season you would receive a cheque for the total amount won during the season.

   St Mars d'Egrenne was just one of these races, hosted by virtually every village and organised by the local cycling club. Back in the day it was possible to ride  3 or 4 a week but sadly this is no longer the case and the number of races is now greatly diminished.

I should point out that when I say that I rode over a hundred races, that was the total over three seasons. I don't think that I would still be here if I'd attempted a hundred in one season.

 Some months I'd ride 6 events, other months 7 or 8. I wasn't good enough to race 4 times a week, didn't recover quickly. The good riders, ( which I wasn't ) travelled widely to find races and the best rider in France at that time, Daniel Leveau, an ex pro who had ridden for Freddy Maertens' Flandria team, won 53 races in one season. You can imagine how many events he must have started. I was just an average club cyclist who wasn't in the same league as the good guys, but I tried my best which is all I could do. Took some real hidings."


I'm sure Mike is being modest, and he proberly did better than 99% off us would have done and well done to him for getting out there and giving it a go.
 


Please contact us with any pictures or memories you may have related to Merseyside bicycles.
                                     Contact us at merseysidebicycles@gmail.com

1972 Harry Quinn Restoration

As always a big thank you to Mike Duffy for sending in a lovely selection of photo's, of his recently restored 1972 Harry Quinn.
Mike adds the following information and rebuild specifcation.


             I have recently finished rebuilding my 1972 Harry Quinn, mostly with the original parts. To order the frame I had cycled from Wrexham to Birkenhead, took the ferry over the Mersey and arrived at Harry Quinn's shop. A vivid memory is of leaning my bike outside the shop, walking in, and being told to bring it in. I can't remember who I spoke to, but it was probably Harry Quinn as on asking for a new frame to be built I was asked what I was going to use the frame for and all the details were sorted out.Originally it was finished in royal blue but I had it resprayed around 1980 at C & G's in Liverpool.

Frame and forks : 24 3/4 " Harry Quinn, Reynolds 531 db tubing
Wheels : Zeus l/f hubs on Mavic Route rims, Hutchinson tubs
Brakes : Universal levers, Universal 68 calipers
Chainset : Campag. Nuovo Record 42/52 170 mm with matching bottom bracket
Pedals : Campag. Record, Christophe toeclips, Binda straps
Gears : Campag. Nuovo Record front and rear
Gear levers : Campag. handlebar control
Freewheel : Suntour Ultra 6, 13-18
Handlebars : Cinelli 65-40 with cloth tape
Stem : Cinelli 1A
Saddle : Unica Nitor leather covered
Headset : Shimano 600 Arabesque
Bottle cage : T.A. steel
Seat pin : Campag. 2 bolt





Early 1980's race action on his Harry Quinn

We'd love to see your restorations, contact us at merseysidebicycles@gmail.com