SLHS: Pashley Cycles

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History

Pashley’s describe their own history thus..

“In 1926 William Rathbone 'Rath' Pashley founded 'Pashley and Barber' in New John Street West, Birmingham. Pashley and Barber declared that they were 'Manufacturers of every type of cycle' and that 'Birmingham produces the Finest Cycles, these are Birmingham's Best'.

The model range included everyday roadsters, clubman's racing machines, tradesman's carrier cycles and 'the famous Pashley tandem'. 'Rath' had been apprenticed to the Austin Motor Company before the first world war and saw military service as a dispatch rider. These occupations in his early years gave him both engineering knowledge and skill, and a lifelong interest in two wheeled transport.

Competition in the cycle trade was very fierce and after a short while 'Rath' Pashley realised that success would come through identifying a market niche. A new company, Pashley Carrier Cycles, was formed to concentrate on building tough carrier cycles which were designed to withstand the abuse thrown at them by errand boys.

In 1936 the company was incorporated as W. R. Pashley Ltd. and moved to a spacious new factory (over 30,000 square feet) in Chester Street, Aston [see right]. As prosperity returned after the depression the company increasingly focused on delivery and vending tricycles - for dairy products, ice cream and general deliveries. In the 1930s Pashley made almost every single part of their cycles in their own factory - for the frames, only the tubing and lugs were bought in. Frame building, brakes, wheels, sheet metal work, polishing and enamelling were all done in-house.

The 1960s was a pivotal era for Pashley. Rath's son, Dick, took control of the company on his father's retirement. Dick had recently moved to Stratford-upon-Avon, and took the bold decision to move the company from Aston to brand new premises on Masons Road, Stratford.”

Further Information..