jar351

I'd been looking for a vintage 650b bike for a while when I snagged an '85 Raleigh Portage (just last week). Now it's time to clean/fix it up! Any advice you all may have in this process will be of help to me.







The previous (and original) owner is, sadly, guilty of bike abuse but, thankfully, not of the worse kind. He left it outside for years but at least had the presence of mind to put a tarp over it. Still, we live in a pretty moist climate (SF Bay Area) and as a result, all of the hardware is quite rusty and the wheels and cranks barely spin (even though the hubs have sealed cartridge bearings). The good news is that the core of the bike is in pretty good shape under all the dirt. The frame is structurally sound, although it has a couple of smallish rust spots, and the components only have light rust. It came with a shot inner tube and I don't have any 26" ones on hand, so I haven't been able to test ride it yet, but I think everything works okay. The seatpost isn't stuck and neither is the stem, thank goodness!

jar351

All done:

OTS 

Nice work, beautiful finish.

XLR99

Nice! I'm liking that color combination!

illwafer

sweet. it looked pretty good to start with, but you add some nice touches.

what's going to be its purpose?

-holiday76

Nice! I think you'll really like it. At least, I really like mine.

BluesDaddy

So what do you think of those shifters, jar351? I had some on my Shogun 1500 but they drove me crazy. They were either too loose and slipped gears, or when tightened, making the lever effort higher than I like. I also had that Deer Head rear derailleur on there, but it was making very lazy shifts. It has no B-screw, and I think there was not enough chain wrap and no way to adjust for more.

ColonelJLloyd 

Nice work!

auchencrow

Great work! Just one look at that rig makes me want to load up 90 lbs of luggage and go climbing up the steepest hill around!

(Well, almost. )

jar351

Thanks for the feedback, everyone!

Holliday, I love the look of your Portage. That's a TA cyclotouriste crankset, isn't it? I really dig the white pump and mudflup as accents. What sort of front hub is that? Interesting choice on the bar tape. The bike already looks super classy, but personally I think some black Brooks tape would really put it over the top, in a good way.

Speaking of which, I actually ordered "burgundy" bar tape online and what I got was this light, bordering-on-pink red. I'm not really happy, but it's a lesson learned. Not worth ordering bar tape online to save a few bucks. I know it doesn't look all that bad, but I had something a little different in my head.

As for the technical questions... It's funny, I just took the bike out for a test ride after posting the photos and noticed the same thing about the shifters. Either too tight or too loose with no in between. I'm going to try dripping some tri-flow in there to see if that makes any difference. Of course, I also have an old set of SUntour friction barcons sitting around just begging to be used. And while I have the bars unwrapped, maybe I'll head down to my LBS to pick up some of that maroon Newbaums cloth tape.

As for the bike's intended purpose, I'm a little ashamed to admit it but I plan to sell it since I have too many bikes at the moment. Plus, at 58cm it's rather big for me. I normally ride a 56.

AZORCH

Looks very nice - my compliments! So how's she ride?

jar351

I have the tires inflated to about 35 and 45 psi and the ride is really cushy.

-holiday76

yes, that's a TA, and yes, black leather will happen at some point. For now, the green is what I had around. thanks for the compliments.

DCycle

Nice! Really like those Raleigh Portages - used to have one in college. I don't think that's a 58cm though, it looks more like a 60 - 62cm.

illwafer

you fixed it up way too nicely for a flip.

mkeller234

Looks great! I'd love to find something like that in the future. I want to see what the 650B madness is all about but I am to cheap to take the plunge.

jar351

I also wanted to see what all the fuss was about regarding 650B's. Unfortunately, I couldn't afford GB Hetres or I would haver given those a try as well. Yeah, I fixed it up too nicely for a flip because some part of me really wanted to keep it. Luckily my more rational side won out and I'm letting it go, if I can find a buyer that is. And it's definitely a 58cm or 58.5cm (ctc). I guess it looks bigger than it is because of the smaller wheels.

Force 

Can you describe the quality of the ride? The chainstays are really long - does that make it more sluggish? I'm interested in 650b and the Portage seems like a good entry into 650b, but it also seems like it may ride more like a loaded tourer. I've got a loaded tourer and am looking for a 650b that is lighter and feels quicker. I understand the Portage was spec'd at 27 pounds. Seems like you could lighten it up a bit, but is it ultimately going to still feel like a heavy touring bike? I'd appreciate your comments.

-holiday76

well, it IS a loaded tourer. So yeah, it rides like one. It's not light either. Of course when its not loaded it isnt going to feel like it does when it is, but you also can't compare it to a racing bike.

Force 

Thanks. I figured as much. My 650b search continues . . .

mudboy

Find a sporty road bike and put 650b wheels on it.

Force 

Looks like that'll be what I do. I'd like to try Hetres and not sure I have the clearance with my frame, need to figure that out. The idea of a vintage, reasonably priced 650b bike was alluring.

kiwigem

I hate you just a little.

boatsinbottles

That's one bike I've always wanted to find. I didn't realize, though, they had Deer Head deraileurs! My favorite!

realestvin7

What are the seat tube and top tube dimensions?