Ron Cooper find.

[Bobby Maclean]

Thanks for the info everyone,just got chance to have a good look at it.
The seat post came off, plenty of grease still in the tube so no probs there.

 

[Yellow Saddle]

SABA sold things in the 70's with their name and logo on them. They also sponsored Ian Hallam (KP Crisps - SABA team). Their frames were made by Viner and I'm note sure if they actually made anything. They did clothing and accessories, titanium replacement bolts tec.

View attachment 440315

Portacatena were dropouts made by campag to hold a device which held the chain while changing wheels, needed a special lever, never really got off the ground..

http://www.classiclightweights.co.uk/components/portacatena-comp.html

Thanks for that. I found it interesting. I've never seen a portacatena nor even knew about it. It is a nice idea, I like it.

 

[rogerzilla]

Ron Cooper built Gillott frames for years before he did his own. No jigs, all free-built. There are rarely tubing stickers as he mixed and matched. Mine (1990-ish) is mostly Columbus SL although it originally had an SLX sticker.

20170907_173120 by rogerzilla, on Flickr

 

[Bobby Maclean]

That is beautiful rogerzilla.
Quite a lot of stuff on the web about Ron Cooper. Thought this self build bikes catalogue is interesting, including Bob Jackson frames and a lot of accessories on the back pages.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/zbillster/2772246678/in/album-72157606789001880/

 

[Bobby Maclean]

A few hours of wiping and rubbing and she’s

starting to twinkle.

 

[rogerzilla]

The Cooper fork bend is very distinctive.

 

[biggs682]

View attachment 440453 A few hours of wiping and rubbing and she’s View attachment 440452 starting to twinkle.

Just needs a few miles now

 

[Bobby Maclean]

Went up the road for a hundred yards, frightened the life out of me, didn’t realise I could go so fast on a bike on the flat.

 

[Ian H]

The Cooper fork bend is very distinctive.

He apparently claimed to be the only builder who knew the proper technique for bending Hetchins stays. Perhaps that knowledge died with him.

 

[midlife]

The Cooper fork bend is very distinctive.

Mercian also did a gradual taper rake fork