Lee Cooper

On the 12th May 2009, my Mom died following a short illness. During her life she had suffered with severe arthritis and had taken a series of medication that had the potential to reduce her life expectancy.

One of the side effects of the drugs was lung fibrosis, which is a horrible disease. After a short bout of the illness, the medics informed Mom that there was nothing further they could do and she took the brave decision to cease treatment.

Having in my youth wasted 18th and 21st birthday presents, I wanted to build a bike that I would be a keeper and more importantly a bike that I would ride a lot and remember this period for positive reasons (her strength, courage and positive outlook).

I started to look around and decided that I wanted to get a Lee Cooper (it was always going to be steel!), thinking that I would get one made. With money tight this was going to be a slow build. However, on this site on popped up, in great nick and a few days later the build started.

The bike then started to be built. There are a number of issues re the bike the first was that the fork's steerer was not that long so I have to use a BBB extender and the other was there was no cable guide for a fd, it was designed to be a single up front.

So the build started. The frame was near perfect.

First went in the bb and probably my best photo. this was a campy record bb and nearly the only bit of carbon.

The headset, the crank, fd, brakes are campy record.

The bike as started to take shape, the final bits to get were a nice set of wheels and the rear.

The wheels are a set of Electons with Record Hubs.

I then choose to go with Athena and Chorus. The Rd and cassette is Chorus and the Ergos and seat post are Athena. The stem and handlebars are Cinelli and wrapped with Brooks and the seat is a Sella Itallia from around the 1998-2000 period.

Now this is what my new pride and enjoy looks like.

I have had taken it out for a quick spin and feels great. The bike and has come in at 19.5lbs, which for a steel bike is great.

Hopefully this will bring me years of enjoyment.

Full Spec Sheet as follows:

Frame: Lee Coope 531 and 631, 531 tandem down tube

Fork:Steel 531

Headset: Campy Record
Stem: Cinelli Groove
Handlebar: Cinelli Anatomic
Bar Tape: Brooks

Brake Levers/Brifters: Campy Athena 9 Speed
Brake Calipers: Campy Record
Brake Pads: Campy Record
Brake Cables: Campy Record

Shifters: Campy Athena 9 Speed
Front Derailleur: Campy Record
Rear Derailleur: Campy Chorus
Derailleur Cables: Campy Record
Cassette: Campy Chorus 9 Speed - 13-16
Chain: Campy C9
Cranks: Campy Record Ultra Drive 53/39
Chainrings: Record Ultradrive 53/39
Bottom Bracket: Campy Record
Pedals: Time RXS

Rims: Electron
Hubs: Campy Record
Hub Skewers: Campy Record
Nipples:
Spokes:
Tyres: Vittoria

Saddle: Sella Itallia
Seatpost: Campy Athena Aero
Seatpost Binder: Campy Record

Weight: 19.5 lbs

Great build and stunning paintwork.

Good for you and I hope it helps make you smile. I see where youre coming from, tough times, similar happened to me this year.

Take it easy.

Nice ride BTW...

good job man

Thanks guys. I need to get a rear seat drink carrier as the frame has no bottle mounts!

Ridden it for a short 5miles and was great, hoping to go out tomorrow and test the wheels. Same as Pantini road over the alps in record time - just like me (not!)

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Lovely bike, I really like the paint colour. I'm a sucker for anything Orange.