Harry Hall

[Ridefatboyride]

I know very little about this frame. Any info gratefully received.

It had at least 3 different colour schemes at one point or another, and other than the lugs and general layout, I know nothing.

Help !

 

[Nob]

The frame builder Harry Hall was an enthusiastic amateur racing cyclist who opened a shop in Manchester in 1957 and started producing custom built frames which were used by many of the top cyclists of the time. Harry gained a reputation as a top cycle mechanic and he and his shop became famous for providing a neutral service vehicle (a mini) at many UK events. Harry was also mechanic to Tom Simpson during the ill-fated 1967 Tour de France. Harry retired from the shop in 1989, started racing again and amongst his victories included the British National & World Age Related Championship. Sadly, Harry died in 2007, but his shop “Harry Hall Cycles” still exists in Manchester and is run by his son Graham.

https://www.harryhallcycles.co.uk/

 

[Old Ned]

TBH Nob, I don't think Harry actually built any frames himself. At times he had a builder working in his basement (Harry might have filed the lugs etc.) or he bought them in from good builders locally or of repute elsewhere.

Here is an advert from 1972 showing Harry in the background filing a bottom bracket with, I think, Roger Kowalski doing the building.



I remember riding one of my first road races around 1963 or '64 (Circuit of the Meres, Ellesmere) alongside Harry who was a bit of a legend even then. Bob Thom Junior also rode it.

 

[Nob]

TBH Nob, I don't think Harry actually built any frames himself. At times he had a builder working in his basement (Harry might have filed the lugs etc.) or he bought them in from good builders locally or of repute elsewhere.

Here is an advert from 1972 showing Harry in the background filing a bottom bracket with, I think, Roger Kowalski doing the building.



I remember riding one of my first road races around 1963 or '64 (Circuit of the Meres, Ellesmere) alongside Harry who was a bit of a legend even then. Bob Thom Junior also rode it.

Agree but did hear he did the occasional frame.....as he certainly did good lug Work preparation

 

[Old Ned]

You could well be correct Nob - and me totally wrong! (won't be the first time........ ) To possibly confirm this I also have this ad from Feb 1960 which does say 'built personally by HH'.