Dear Frank,
Further to my other email in relply to yours, I just spotted the following eBay item, a Harry Perry frameset:
The relevance is that Harry Perry was the frame builder for A Genner and Excel, and he built my Excel in 1951. The shop is still in existence in Woolwich, trading as Harry Perry Cycles - the current owner changed the name from Excel in memory of Harry Perry.
Some coincidence!
Best regards,
Neil Foddering
Weymouth, Dorset
>From: <vergrandis@tesco.net>
>To: "neil foddering" <neilfoddering@hotmail.com>
>CC: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
>Subject: Re: RE: [CR]Ebay: Waller; school me...
>Date: Tue, 9 May 2006 18:09:02 +0100
>
>Dear Neil,
>That Waller of Mr.Stone's was indeed the bargain of the century. I thought
>the Americans or Japanese collectors would have snapped it up, just shows.
>Expect they prefer the Italian gas pipe stuff. The name Fiorelli still
>makes me shudder frightful frames from the same period.
>I was in our local lightweight shop the other day and they quoted £265.00
>plus VAT for a similar re-enamel to the Kingsland, the only difference was
>the Stratton quoted had chrome tips.
>I started club cycling and racing in the 50's and I raced on most of these
>funny frames having owned some and borrowed others.
>Had a WRB Baines International TT model a fabulous machine and as you are
>probably aware Trevor Jarvis still makes this unique design. Bob Cary rode
>one as a Pro, what a rider.
>Have ridden Waller's both the Kingsland and Kingsbury one of which has
>curved tubes can't remember which now. A thing made by Higgins called a
>Calleva a real rarity. The Galibier, Bates Brothers, Hetchins and a maker
>from Hackney who made a frame with seat stays that met the top-tube bit
>like a modern GT.
>Out of all of them the Baines was the best SWB in my opinion, the Wallers
>were very lively but had a little bit to much frame whip for my liking.
>Of course it is hard to compare like to like because race conditions are
>not the same from week to week but have ridden my Baines on a float day
>and a curved tube Waller on a float on the same course. I was a minute
>quicker on the Baines both rides done with the same gear and similar
>equipment and both on Michelin "50's".
>I would say the stiffness of the Baines frame resulted in more energy or
>effort being transmitted to the pedals. Sure all that frame whip is a
>hindrance to power although the bike seems wonderfully and lively to ride.
>My PB look positively pedestrian by todays standards but we were rationed,
>that's my excuse.
>I am no expert but there are plenty on the list who are.
>Very much enjoyed your posting and it's very reassuring that there are some
>British cycling enthusiasts who are actually documenting all this stuff.
>It makes me so annoyed that the makers names become legends but the artisan
>builders who made them in the workshops are forgotten.
>Classic example Alf only had Jack building his frames what about all the
>others who worked there?
>Kindest regards Frank
>
>
>Frank Cohen Hoxton UK