Fabled and invisible to date, the Pashley Guvnor accessories hinted at since 2008 have yet to see the light of day.
However, movement is afoot. In 2009 Pashley Cycles engaged the creative services of MA Product Design students at Birmingham Institute of Art and Design, specifically to design new accessories for the Guvnor.
Participants were given one of six accessory types to work on: water bottles, reflectors, tool kits, mudguards, bells and pumps.
Glimpse a fraction of the results here…
Flask by Alexia Delas
Bell by Anais Groisy
Toolkit by Fabien Rolland
Front mudguard by Xunbo Tang. Click to enlarge
Rear mudguard by Xunbo Tang. Click to enlarge
The exhibition as presented to Pashley Director Adrian Williams and team
Some ideas that may end up in development…
It seems not only are Pashley getting serious (at last) about Guvnor accessories, but these could be exactly the kind of products that emerge. What’s more, a graduate of the MA Product Design 08–09 course now works as a designer at Pashley. It all falls into place…
For more snippets and other fine projects follow the inspirational MAPD course director Graham Powell on twitter.
Oh, I nearly forgot, one of the prerequisites for course entry seems to be a moustache!
Well, how about that…Happy Easter!
{ 26 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m coveting that bike mounted thermos, and the rear lamp/reflector especially.
The bell is just a massive rip of Sogreni’s though, and doesn’t look as good as the standard Japanese dome bell, or Sogreni’s. Nice mud guards too, the shortened front one reminds me of my dad’s old 70′s roadbike which had teensy fenders fore and aft.
Let’s hope these cracking goodies come to fruition, but I do agree with Ben about the bell.
Perhaps the GOC could look at sourcing and selling these items to members? Maybe that’s already being planned!!
Safe riding ,one and all, Geoff.
Thanks for the posting James.
The bell is indeed a Sogreni, with a bronze disc for improved ringing qualities. The project was ultimately concerned with adapting existing products to better suit the Guv’nor… as are they all (if you look closely). A tricky brief for the students with lots of research into bicycle accessory evolution to back up their proposals. In all there were 22 offerings shown to Pashley.
It’d be nice to see something of the vaunted accessories from Pashley. I think I’ll still be investing in the Sogreni mudguards though – trip to Copenhagen in a few months too, so looking forward to hitting the shop.
I am become curmudgeon.
Whilst ‘cool’, many of these accessories are not very authentic-looking.
That front mudguard is fairly pointless, whereas some of the turn-of-the-century ‘guards seen in old photos look much better and would be far more functional – for instance, the ones that come well down at the back of the front wheel, but stop immediately in front of the fork crown. And who ever saw brass mudguards? Not me.
And a seat-tube mounted thermos?
But then I haven’t bought a Guvnor, preferring to restore a period bike, so I guess I am not the target market anyway…
Grumpy old man.
You’re right Al, though the guvnor already has sugino cranks and shimano brake levers both of which are nowhere near authentic, a plastic housed sturmey shifter which I doubt predates the 70′s and hub brakes (I don’t know the history of these, but I’ve never seen an antique bicycle with them) I think of the guvnor as the Morgan roadster of the bike world, a modern take on the past without being a replica.
The seat tube thermos is my favourite! All this water-drinking business is of little appeal personally, although I do secretly covet the L’Eroica water bottle as sported by Nils.
Al, you are right about authenticity of course. But aside from the even more mythical ‘original drawings from the 1930s’ of the Guvnor*, we have signed up to something altogether more complex than authenticity, although it plays a crucial role.
The Morgan comparison is exceptionally valid. I’m sure Pashley knew what they were doing when they named the Plus Four, as Morgan had a model named the Plus Four from the 50s, and the famed Plus Eight up until recently.
And Malvern-based Morgan are only 30 miles from Pashley in Stratford…
Anyway, back to the accessories. Thanks Graham for your generosity in helping put this together, and of course to the students for working on the project. If we get mudguards and at least one other interesting item out of Pashley in 2010 it’ll be a result.
James
*I will soon be on a mission to get hold of these drawings.
I think the Guvnor more in keeping with a Bristol than a Morgan, but that’s splitting hairs.
I too would love to see the 30s Pashley “Pathracer” upon which they modeleth the Guv.
That leads off into a whole debate about what a pathracer is, a lesson that was taught me on bikeforums.com… we will not go there
This is the debate we had at the beginning of the project… Nostalgia versus Retro.
The former being a retreat into the safety of the past (known and definable). Whilst the latter is a modern interpretation of appropriate elements to represent a pick and mix idea of history in the here and now. Both of course represent ‘Tradition’ over ‘Future’ during uncertain (economic) times.
You forgot to mention the Guv’nor’s Cinelli stem and alloy seat post too!
However I do agree about the length of the front mudguard and have already ‘fixed’ that for the Tweed Run… 12 miles of Retro meets Nostalgia. Should be fun!
Gentlemen,
Thoughtful comments. James, yes, I too covet the L’Eroica water bottle. As for fenders, I agree the aft section of the front is a tad short. However, brass–if indeed they are unprotected–after a period of time in the elements will look splendid with a nice patina. Living by the Monterey Bay, my bell now has a nice weathered look to it. Of course, June will be two years for my bell, so the fenders would look embarrassingly dandy for a while! Al, I checked out the forum you posted a few days ago. Yes, it’s safe to say the discourse I read on Path-Racers was conducted in grunts and clicks. I’m not sure why those blokes were so hostile.
Ride often and safely.
Gary
I think it’s tremendous that the good folk of Birmingham Institute of Art and Design have produced these prototype products for Pashley’s consideration…and to tempt us of course.
However, i’m intrigued! What were the remainder of the “22 items” presented to Pashley??
Was one of those items a front cycle lamp to match the rear reflector / lamp shown here? I know some lucky owners have found suitably styled front lights to adorn their Guvnors, but they are rarer than “hens teeth”.
If a front light is unlikely to figure as an accessory, i’d be grateful if fellow members could advise on an elegant front lamp, which compliments the Guvnor.
All the best, Nev
Nev aka ‘Surrey Guv’……….in response to your last point, have you checked out the ‘How to Light in Style’ section? I would recommend the Cordo Castor, see my post dated 20 Feb. ……….safe riding one and all, Geoff Baker.
Can anyone identify the rear light? Looks like an old Sturmey Archer lamp. Not dissimilar to this modern battery powered front lamp: http://bit.ly/cxVHGp
… which would, of course, turn out to be the Cordo Castor that Geoff recommended.
morgan………just to clarify, the lights I fitted and would recommend are the Cordo Castor for the front and the Soma Silver Bullet the rear. See postings in Comments and the Forum for more info. and where is source. I think both these lights suit the 1920/30′s Moderne, Art Deco style of the cycle.
I would like to post a photo. of these lights in situ, but unsure how to do it do this with my PC, or should it be my Babbage?
Safe riding one and all, Geoff ‘Duchy Wheeler’.
Hello Geoff,
Just thought the rear light on the Mythical bike reminded me of the black Cordo. Obviously it isn’t actually one, but it got me thinking, would it be crazy to fit the black Cordo as a read light, suitably reddened? A little oversized perhaps, but I believe they have a flashing function, and the scale would help in London traffic.
I have yet to see one in person, so I’m not sure the aesthetics are right. As for the Soma Bullet, I must say I’m not too keen on its looks, seems more like a 50s chrome tail-fin than a pre-war tail light. But maybe your photos could sway me. Perhaps you could post them in the forum, or try http://tinypic.com/ and post the “direct link” here?
Best, Morgan.
I wonder if I can fit an umbrella in that leather wraparound for the pump?
I fitted a small umbrella under the seat with homemade leatherstraps, looks pritty good:)
One & All,
Not wishing to ‘rain on anyone’s parade’ but I think these ‘Mythical Accessories’ will remain just that, a design exercise for MAPD.
Having spoken to my local Pashley dealer the other day, about ordering some Pashley leather tube protectors, I got the impression that Pashley aren’t really interested in selling accessories, their dealers have to pay a minimum carriage charge, so if the dealer isn’t in a position to place a substantial order or the customer is unwilling to pay the extra, it’s not worth them stocking or ordering these small accessory items.
It’s a pity, but there you go. Pashley are in the business of manufacturing cycles and they are rather focused at the moment with all these new models due soon?
Safe rides, Geoff.
Have to say that I agree with Geoff on this one. I’ve had some mudguards made by Liam over at Eastfenders, and a fine job he did too.
I doubt very much that Pashley will spring accessories on us after a two yearish wait.
One & All,
The answer from Pashley about these “Mythical Accessories” and more will be found in the Forum, The Members’ Club, dated 4:45pm, 7 March.
Safe rides, DW.
Dear DW,
Tantalising to those of us yet to enter the inner sanctum!
Please help!
Kind regards,
Alex
Alex McF,
Why aren’t you a fully signed up member? No rolled-up trouser leg or bared breast required! Yet!!
Anyway, these “mythical accessories”, according to the lastest from Pashley, aren’t going to happen. Do sign up so you can view The Members’ Club Forum, you will then be able to access my post ‘Pashley Q & A’ dated 7 March, to read the responses by Pashley to a number for points I raised on behalf of the GOC.
Safe rides ‘One & All’, DW.
Alex, has nobody told you about “the handshake”?
Gents,
Er, simple oversight on my part! I think I confused Forum membership with Club membership and assumed membership was by invitation only! So, I have enrolled and, barring any blackballing from fundamentalist single-speeders, look forward to seeing you in the Members’ Club as well as the Public House.
Tootle pip.
Alex
“Alex, has nobody told you about “the handshake”?”
The one that takes place whilst on a speeding bicycle? I thought that was never to be openly discussed?