Since sending my first post on the subject of KR this morning I've done some more digging on the www and info is easier to find than I thought...
It seems that my 'Ken Ryall' purchased in 1972 or 73 may have been one of th e Stan Pike build. Still wish I had it now though...
I have no definite proof of this except that another web-site covering the h istory of that particular marque states that Ken's Staines Road shop was pur chased in the mid-70s by Holdsworth which means that when I met Ken he had p robably already started outsourcing his frames. It was supplied to me with t he later 'block' sans serif downtube lettering rather than the script logo w hich is shown (faintly) on the current ebay listing in Vermont - and indeed as on my own 24" KR track bike.
Ken also seems to have supported a number of British pros during the early t o late '60's under the "Ryall Raxar" and "Ryall Weldwork" banners. Quite a n ice depiction of the latter jersey is illustrated here:-
http://www.memoire-du-cyclisme.net/
On the separate but connected subject of Keith Mernickle - I then did a goog le search on the name and find that he is (probably) now running guest lodge s in Canada, the chap in question certainly matches the description / dates I\u2019ve found elsewhere anyway.
I remember reading somewhere in the cycling press that he had moved there wh en he retired from the pro ranks and when last heard of was a Vets Runner an d was earning his living is a builder. I might send Keith an e-mail to see i f he can fill in any info about his days as a British Pro and as a KR rider. ..
More info on Keith's pro career can be seen here:-
http://www.sini.nl/
Ian Briggs
Luton - UK.