Goodday all I just got off the phone with Dave Southam whose grandfather made & raced bicycles & gas engines circa 1905 in Toronto. below is a photo of the shop with a very unusual "bike" He has other bike photos to share soon. Thanks Dave! ! !Larry
Submitted by Ron Miller on Thu, 01/05/2012 - 12:54.
Someone named Kay made bikes in the 30's 40's or 50's. I wonder if it is the same K as in the photo. Maybe one of those kids. Very interesting Photo. More please. Ron
Thomas L. Southam was a former machinist at Thomas Fane's Comet Cycle Co., while Alexander Kay had been employed in a similar position at the Toronto Bicycle Exchange. Some time during 1886-1887 they decided to set up their own shop which was located at 134 Church Street and is the location of the subject photo. The arrangement was short lived, as they were operating separately by 1898. Southam retained the Chuch Street location and operated a bicycle shop there until at least 1904. Kay opened up a new location on Berkley and the following year relocated to 320 Queen St. E where it was a fixture for decades. After the split, Kay's bicycles used the OK brand and later added Kay and King. While Kay's bicycle business survived the early 20th century bicycle recession, Southam decided to venture into gasoline engines and by 1905 it was his prime business at a new Queen St location.
photos to share soon. Thanks Dave! ! !Larry
Wow! That is cool!
Indeed that's quite something! Thanks to Larry and Dave for sharing the photo. I look forward to seeing the others.
Someone named Kay made bikes in the 30's 40's or 50's. I wonder if it is the same K as in the photo. Maybe one of those kids. Very interesting Photo. More please. Ron
I would like some more information on Kay cicyles.
I have been trying to identify this bike out in BC I was callikg a ''Royal''
It was a K royal by the decal on the seat tube.
Turns out it was made by Kay in Toronto
Ron Miller who frequents this site figured it out.
Goodday Lawrence How about some photos of your find???? Larry
Thomas L. Southam was a former machinist at Thomas Fane's Comet Cycle Co., while Alexander Kay had been employed in a similar position at the Toronto Bicycle Exchange. Some time during 1886-1887 they decided to set up their own shop which was located at 134 Church Street and is the location of the subject photo. The arrangement was short lived, as they were operating separately by 1898. Southam retained the Chuch Street location and operated a bicycle shop there until at least 1904. Kay opened up a new location on Berkley and the following year relocated to 320 Queen St. E where it was a fixture for decades. After the split, Kay's bicycles used the OK brand and later added Kay and King. While Kay's bicycle business survived the early 20th century bicycle recession, Southam decided to venture into gasoline engines and by 1905 it was his prime business at a new Queen St location.
Oops, typo alert. Above should read 1896-1897, not 1886-1887. Sorry!