Harry Quinn Cycles
The Harry Quinn Cycles company was a family owned high-end English bicycle manufacturer located in Liverpool, England. The business began in 1890 as Coronet Cycles, and Harry Quinn was the son of the founder (Also named Harry Quinn). Initially, the company was based on Walton Road, Liverpool. Harry worked in the Walton Road premises for his father, alongside his brothers and sisters. When Harry senior retired Harry junior obtained the business, with his brothers Ronnie and Jack he set up Quinn Bros Cycles in Edge Lane, Liverpool.
Influential bike builder
Harry soon became an influential figure in the British cycling scene, also training frame builders Terry Dolan and Billy Whitcomb in his Liverpool premises. In 1977, after Harry lost sight in one eye, the business was sold to Frank Clements, with Harry kept on as Master Frame Builder.In 1980, the shop was closed and the business was sold to Falcon Cycles. Falcon was allowed to badge their bikes as ‘Harry Quinn’ but did not carry the original Harry Quinn frame numbering system, Bottom Bracket stamped Q following 3 digits (Qxxx). The Falcon frames used Q following 4 digits (Qxxxx).Unfortunately Falcon could not live up to the same frame building quality standards, apparently Harry became very appalled with this poor quality, so in 1984 or 1985 he decided buying back the HQ division, with his son Peter. Back to producing high-end frames (in Wales, UK) and back to the Original HQ frame numbering (Qxxx)!!!
So please note: If you have a HQ bike that has a Bottom Bracket stamp Q with 3 digits it is an original hand built Harry Quinn.
The Harry & Peter Quinn company was wound up in the mid 1990’s.
Harry Quinn frames in competitions
Cyclists to have ridden competitively on Harry Quinn frames include John Atkins, Alan Ramsbottom, William Moore, Colin Sturgess (who won the world professional pursuit title on a Harry Quinn) Gordon Singleton (World Keirin Champion 1982), Sid Barras, Kevin Apter, Dave Penketh, Terry Tinsley, Frank Lyons, John Clewarth, Graham Daniels, Phil Roberts, John Atkinson, Brian Pownall, Bill Bradley (who won the Tour of Britain in 1959 on a Harry Quinn), Pete Chisman (Milk Race winner in 1963) And when Reg Harris made his comeback in 1975 aged 54, he asked Harry to build his bikes.
Reynolds 753
HQ hand-built bikes were known for their short wheelbase and steep angles, often custom built on riders request. In 1979 he was one of only three frame builders qualified to use 753 Reynolds tubing, the others being TI Raleigh and Bob Jackson. Harry Quinn has been building frames for 45 years. His interest in bicycles started as a young boy when he learned the basics of frame building from his father.
Harry Quinn died on 1 October 2009, aged 92.