Chater-Lea was going from far earlier than 1928 - I would have to check the exact date but it it would be the 1870s/80s. They moved from London to Letchworth in 1928. It was after this move that they concentrated on lightweight cycle components. They finally closed about 1988/9 though in their last 20 years mainly made parts for the motor industry.
Hilary Stone trying to cope with over 500 emails on the desk top in Bristol, England, after having spent a wonderful week in North Carolina
Chrales Kramer wrote:
> I have no particular reason to learn about Chater-Lea --- I don't think I've
> even ever seen a Chater-Lea part --- but industrial history interests me.
> Perhaps because of the company's short history (1928 to.... maybe
> 1950-something?) there's very little information about teh company out there.
>
> =========================
> http://www.glias.org.uk/
> The same year the Westinghouse Morse Chain Company was established and
> Chater-Lea started in 1928. Much of the workforce for Letchworth's industries
> came not from Letchworth itself where accommodation became too expensive, but
> from the surrounding villages. Transport to and from work was often by
> bicycle.
>
> =========================
> Subject: ***Velo-Retro Vint. Bike Catalogs***
> Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.marketplace
> Date: 2001-01-18 00:18:09 PST
>
> Chater-Lea Cycles & Tandems Catalog 1928 -- 16 pages, charming pen
> drawings of this English manufacturer of
> high quality cycle parts and bikes. B&W cover. $5
>
> Chater-Lea Catalog 1931 -- 22 pages, shows lugs, cranks, pedals,
> headsets, hubs for cycles, tandems and carrier
> tricycles from this famous English company. B&W cover. $5
>
> ==========================
> And of course this....
> http://www.classicrendezvous.com/
> which perhaps should be amended to show the start date as 1928 (not 1930).