billytwosheds 

So the story goes that a gentleman was selling this bike on behalf of his girlfriend, whose previous husband had ridden the bike in a couple Ironmans in the 80's. A tall guy. He passed away about five years ago.

I don't know much about him other than that we share a name (he went by Bill), and what I can glean from his Ron Cooper.

The seat tube measures 65cm center to center, 66cm center to top, which is probably how this frame was measured by the master. Serial number 666. Top tube is a modest 58cm center to center.

It's beautifully constructed, and looks like it was locked up to a rack or poles many many times -- I assume it was ridden everywhere. The top tube has a ding and some rust I would worry about. The rest of the frame is in good shape all things considered!

It looks to have been mostly Super Record and then, like several bikes I have come across, went in for a tune up in the mid 90's and emerged with some budget replacement things like the chainset, bottom bracket, saddle, pads, etc.

And yes the seat post binder bolt is missing...the post itself moves a tiny bit but will need some finesse to remove. Stem check tomorrow.

Cheers, Billy.

mstateglfr 

Thats quite the short top tube for a 65cm c to c frame. I like the lug cutout with C in the middle. Shame to see the dent.


Whats the plan?...ride as is? take care of rust and ride? repair dent and have it repainted?

Kilroy1988 

Beautiful frame! That rust spot looks like something you'd find on an old aircraft crashed on a tropical island... Oh, yeah. Right.

-Gregory

billytwosheds 

It's far and above my size (prefer a 57 or 58cm square) but I plan to swap in a post that I don't mind dropping all the way down, and at least give it a ride around the block.

Beyond that I'm offering the frame up to my extra tall friends (there aren't many in Hawaii) and then if no takers it'll be on the frame swap thread. Maybe the bay if there's no interest on BF.

merziac

PM sent

machinist42

Congratulations on your Cooper acquisition!

Could you please post photos of all aspects of the underside of the BB? Three pictures should do, from between the chainstays to where the downtube joins the BB shell.

Given the portacatena holes on the rear DS dropout, this frame should be from the very late 70s or maybe very early 80s.

The serial number is irrelevant. Cooper only ever used three digit serial numbers. He'd get to 999 and start over again at 001. He made thousands of frames over the course of his long illustrious (yet humble) career.

British, he would have measured from C-T and it'd be in inches, so a 26 incher.

I never tire of seeing his handiwork, so if you could post additional closeup photos of the brazing, including the stay end finishes, and tang work inside the forks, and anything else... I know I won't be the only appreciative onlooker!

If you examine the inside of the forks' blades, you may find clues to the tubing he used. If you pull the fork the steerer may also provide information.

Thank you!

John E

That looks like something one of our local bike-riding celebrities, Bill Walton, would ride.

billytwosheds 

Wow that's so much useful info, thanks machinist42 !

Here are some more.

machinist42

Orientation of the "729" on the '75ishy Cooper's BB next to me here suggests yours is "999."

Could you please take a picture from the other side, the chainstay side of the BB shell, as well? Also, the chainstay bridge, the tang of the other forks' blade, the finish of the forks' stayends. and ...? if you don't mind?

Thank you ever so much for the additional pictures, sir!

Edit: Clever, austere, spartan, spare and elegant fender/rack attachment point. This must be one of his "Touring" efforts, which were really more Sports Touring. Are there attachment points on the forks ends? I see a slightly longer wheelbase. How much tire clearance is there?

DiabloScott

Did all his decals have the rainbow upside down?

bikingshearer 

I've already got my big-boy Cooper - you can have this one.

billytwosheds 

There is some clearance both front and rear for wider/bigger tires or fenders, but probably not both.

Here are a couple more.

Kobe 

[QUOTE=billytwosheds;

Beyond that I'm offering the frame up to my extra tall friends (there aren't many in Hawaii) and then if no takers it'll be on the frame swap thread. Maybe the bay if there's no interest on BF.[/QUOTE]

I lived on Oahu for a year in the 80"s. I remember walking thru Ala Moana mall (back when malls were packed) and at 6'6" being able to see all the way to all the way to the other end over top of the heads.

billytwosheds 

Many people over 6' tall have had a similar experience here! Similarly, bikes 60cm or larger tend to sit for sale, whereas anything in the 50-52cm range will move in a matter of days.

Were you in the service?

Kobe 

No, just out of college and I thought it would be a great place to live. I just didn't realize how expensive it was and hard to find a good job. You're definitely lucky you live Hawaii.

scarlson 

Beautiful Cooper! Those eyelets are neat.

I'd say 999 too, because mine's got a serial in the 700s and is definitely older than yours, based on what I have seen of the evolution of his building style.

uncleivan 

I have the same eyelets on mine as well. No eyelets on the front, different lugs on both frame and fork.