Harry Quinn
Corporate brand
UnclaimedHarry Quinn was a Liverpool-linked British maker of hand-built, high-end racing and road bicycle frames.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Harry Quinn was the name attached to a respected British bicycle-frame maker whose roots lay in the Quinn family’s Liverpool cycle business. The enterprise began in 1890 as Coronet Cycles on Walton Road, Liverpool. Harry Quinn was the founder’s son and worked in the family premises with his brothers and sisters before eventually taking control of the business. His brothers Ronnie and Jack later established Quinn Bros Cycles on Edge Lane, creating a wider family presence in Liverpool’s cycle trade. Under Harry Quinn’s direction, the company became associated with individually built, performance-oriented bicycle frames. Its products were particularly recognized for compact geometry, including relatively short wheelbases and steep angles compared with many competing marques. The business served serious road and track cyclists and developed a reputation that extended beyond ordinary retail bicycle sales. Harry also designed bicycles for Viking Cycles and became an influential mentor in British frame building. Terry Dolan and Billy Whitcomb both learned frame-building skills at his Liverpool premises; Dolan later opened a workshop across the road and established the Dolan bicycle business. The Harry Quinn name was used by a notable group of competitive cyclists. Riders associated with the frames included John Atkins, Alan Ramsbottom, William Moore, Colin Sturgess, Gordon Singleton, Sid Barras, Kevin Apter, Dave Penketh, Terry Tinsley, Frank Lyons, John Clewarth, Graham Daniels, Phil Roberts, John Atkinson, Brian Pownall, Paul Sherwen, Bill Bradley and Pete Chisman. Colin Sturgess won the professional pursuit world title on a Harry Quinn frame, Gordon Singleton became world keirin champion in 1982, and Bill Bradley and Pete Chisman won the Milk Race in 1959 and 1963 respectively. When track and road cycling star Reg Harris returned to competition in 1975 at the age of 54, he asked Quinn to build his bicycles. A significant technical milestone came in 1979, when Harry Quinn was one of only three frame builders qualified to work with Reynolds 753 tubing. The other two identified builders were TI-Raleigh and Bob Jackson. This qualification reinforced the company’s position in the specialist and high-performance segment. The frames continued to be built using methods that Quinn had developed over decades, drawing on skills he first learned from his father and refined through racing and workshop experience before and after the Second World War. In 1977, after Quinn lost the sight in one eye, the business was sold to Frank Clements, the brother of Ernie Clements. Quinn remained involved as Master Frame Builder, preserving a direct connection between the brand and its namesake craftsman. The shop closed in 1980, and the business was sold to Falcon Cycles. Falcon continued to badge bicycles with the Harry Quinn name, but those products did not use the original Harry Quinn frame-numbering system. Quinn later reacquired the company with his son Peter, and the operation moved to St Florence in Wales. The company was eventually wound up during the 1990s. Harry Quinn died on 1 October 2009 at the age of 92. Although the company no longer operates, the name remains significant among enthusiasts of British hand-built bicycles and historic racing frames. Its legacy is also reflected in the careers of frame builders trained in Quinn’s workshop and in cultural references such as the title of Half Man Half Biscuit’s 1991 song “A Lilac Harry Quinn,” which refers to a lilac-colored bicycle.
History
The business associated with Harry Quinn began in 1890 as Coronet Cycles on Walton Road in Liverpool. Harry Quinn was the son of the founder and learned the cycle trade in the family workshop, working alongside his siblings. After he obtained the business, his brothers Ronnie and Jack founded Quinn Bros Cycles on Edge Lane. Harry developed the enterprise into a specialist maker of hand-built bicycle frames. His approach emphasized careful workshop construction and racing-oriented geometry. Quinn frames were known for comparatively short wheelbases and steep angles, characteristics that gave the bicycles a distinctive performance-focused feel. The company’s reputation was strengthened by its association with competitive cyclists, including world and national-level road and track riders. Colin Sturgess won the professional pursuit world title on a Harry Quinn frame, Gordon Singleton won the 1982 world keirin championship, and Milk Race winners Bill Bradley and Pete Chisman also rode Harry Quinn machines. Reg Harris commissioned Quinn to build bicycles for his 1975 comeback at the age of 54. Quinn was also an important figure in the development of British frame building. Terry Dolan and Billy Whitcomb trained at his Liverpool premises. Terry Dolan subsequently opened a workshop nearby, beginning the story of the Dolan bicycle business. Quinn also designed bicycles for Viking Cycles. In 1979 he was one of three frame builders qualified to use Reynolds 753 tubing, a high-performance material associated with specialist bicycle construction. His workshop methods remained broadly consistent over a working period described as lasting about 45 years. In 1977, following the loss of sight in one eye, Quinn sold the business to Frank Clements but stayed on as Master Frame Builder. The shop closed in 1980, when the business was sold to Falcon Cycles. Falcon continued to use the Harry Quinn badge, although the later bicycles did not retain the original Harry Quinn frame-numbering system. Quinn later reacquired the company with his son Peter, and the operation moved to St Florence in Wales. The company was wound up sometime in the 1990s. Harry Quinn died on 1 October 2009 at the age of 92. The company is now defunct, but original frames and the brand’s place in British cycling history remain of interest to collectors and enthusiasts. The name also entered popular culture through the title of Half Man Half Biscuit’s 1991 song “A Lilac Harry Quinn,” which refers to a bicycle without making cycling the subject of the song.
- 2009
Harry Quinn dies
[1]Harry Quinn dies on 1 October at the age of 92.
- 1991
Harry Quinn name appears in a Half Man Half Biscuit song title
[1]The title “A Lilac Harry Quinn” refers to a lilac-colored bicycle associated with the brand.
- 1980
Falcon Cycles acquires the business
[1]Following the closure of the shop, Falcon Cycles acquires the business and continues using the Harry Quinn badge.
- 1979
Reynolds 753 qualification
[1]Quinn becomes one of three frame builders qualified to use Reynolds 753 tubing.
- 1977
Ownership transfers to Frank Clements
[1]The business is sold to Frank Clements, with Harry Quinn retained as Master Frame Builder.
- 1975
Reg Harris commissions comeback bicycles
[1]Reg Harris asks Harry Quinn to build bicycles for his return to competition at age 54.
- 1890
Coronet Cycles is established in Liverpool
[1]The Quinn family cycle business begins as Coronet Cycles on Walton Road, Liverpool.
Products and positioning
Specialist British high-end and performance bicycle maker known for hand-built frames, compact racing geometry, and close association with competitive cycling.
Bicycle frames
Harry Quinn hand-built racing frames
The core Harry Quinn product was the individually built steel bicycle frame. These frames were associated with compact, racing-oriented geometry, including short wheelbases and steep angles. They were made for serious road and track cyclists and became known through their use by competitive riders. Original Quinn frames are distinguished by the maker’s construction methods and, in earlier production, the company’s own frame-numbering system.
High-performance bicycle frames · 1979
Harry Quinn Reynolds 753 frames
In 1979 Harry Quinn was one of only three frame builders identified as qualified to use Reynolds 753 tubing. Frames built with this material represented the high-performance end of the company’s specialist offering and reinforced its credibility among racing cyclists and enthusiasts of advanced British steel-frame construction.
Complete bicycles
Harry Quinn road and track bicycles
The Harry Quinn name was used on road and track bicycles built around the company’s frames. The bicycles served competitive and enthusiast riders, with the brand’s identity centered on hand construction and racing performance rather than mass-market volume. Falcon Cycles later continued to badge bicycles as Harry Quinn, although those products did not use the original frame-numbering system.
Brand decisions
1980
Transfer to Falcon CyclesM&ABackground
The original shop closed after the 1977 ownership change.
Action taken
Falcon Cycles acquired the business and continued to use the Harry Quinn badge.
Aftermath
The later Falcon-badged Harry Quinn products did not carry the original Harry Quinn frame-numbering system.
1979
Use of Reynolds 753 tubingProduct launchBackground
Reynolds 753 was a high-performance tubing option requiring specialist frame-building qualification.
Action taken
Harry Quinn became one of three qualified frame builders permitted to use the tubing.
Aftermath
The qualification strengthened the brand’s standing as a specialist British performance frame maker.
1977
Sale to Frank ClementsM&ABackground
Harry Quinn lost sight in one eye and sold the business after years of operating the Liverpool workshop.
Action taken
Frank Clements acquired the business, while Quinn remained as Master Frame Builder.
Aftermath
The brand continued under new ownership until the shop closed and the business was transferred to Falcon Cycles in 1980.
- Reacquisition and relocation to WalesStrategy
Background
After the Falcon ownership period, Harry Quinn re-acquired the company with his son Peter.
Action taken
The business relocated from Liverpool to St Florence, Wales.
Aftermath
The company was eventually wound up during the 1990s.
Sources1 sources
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