My first 650B
 

I finally got back off my a$$ and worked on my Raleigh Tamarack. I haven't ridden it yet as I still need to adjust everything. But, it was nice outside today and, after I got it this far, took some pics before it got too dark.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_F...0/P1010129.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_F...0/P1010138.JPG

Golly - it looks minty fresh! Nice job Bill!

Wow, Bill! That's a cool bike!

That cockpit is killer, but there's no way I could resist trying it with drop bars.

That looks like a fun bike. Great Job.

I considered it and I still may try drops on it at some point. But I think those bull moose bars look so great.

I agree. It's not too bad, though, if you take the housing/cables along with the bar. Then it should be a quick change back.

Very clean build. Love the bull moose bars.

I'm curious to know how it rides with that geometry. Great job with the clean-up!

Looks Good Bill! Nice bike love the head tube angle. Was the Tamarack an early pre 26" tyre MTB? How did you get on for tyres?

("Confession: I put Bull Moose bars on my 650B randonneur in the mid 80s when I wanted to join the Mountain Bike craze! )

(ps BP: I cant respond to PMs unless >50posts. A=No!)

BillP, the 1984 Tamarack was part of the Mountain Tour series, a short lived mid 80's family sold by Raleigh America. I've found that there is not much info out there on these bikes. The bull moose bars are OEM.

After I bought new 26" Pasela tires for it it is when I discovered it was a 650B. So it now has a set of Panaracer Col De
Vie 650Bx38 tires. It should be a great commuter/rail-trail bike. It will likely end up with a rear rack and VO fenders at some point.


https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_F...84Raleigh2.jpghttps://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_F...84Raleigh1.jpg

Excellent find, very nice! Looks like it has a very nice set of components. I could see this turning into a fabulous all-rounder type of bike: fenders, racks, swept-back city bars, and wide-range gearing.

Love the look of that bike, especially bars, shifters and brakes. That's a fairly high ground clearance.

:thumb:

Nice looking bike!

That thing looks huge, with its giant clearances and super slack angles. Maybe you should try turning it into a "bobby bike" i.e. a DL-1 style bike, with fenders and swept-back bars.

Tamarack Questions
 

I recently acquired this 1984 Raleigh Mountain Tour Tamarack. It is obviously a bit beat, and in need of TLC. I would like to get a many original parts for this as possible. Any Suggestions? It was in my neighbors trash! I knocked on the door and he said I was welcome to take it!

jonnytracy79,

First, welcome to the forum!

As far as your bike goes, the components that I can see appear to be stock. Which ones are you in need of?

My guess is that the 650b wheels are about the same size as the original hybrid/mtb wheels. I'd expect Bill's bike to ride and steer about as it did with the original wheelset.

Bill, what tire and rim are you using? I really like the way that looks!

Ken, I installed the Panaracer Col de vie tires. 650b x 38.

@ CB400BILL : My Tamarack is in need of front rim, front break caliper, front gear de-railer, rear rim, rear gear de-railer, chainset (as it appears to be warped), crank arm center pieces are missing / broken. I will need to re-run the brake lines. Oh yeah and a seat!

Nice build, you will be surprised at the way the 650b handles and rides if this is your first one. A first rate city/trial bike.

Marc