mstateglfr 

The '85 610 frame is triple butted cromoly. The fork is Mangalight per the catalog..
https://www.ragandbone.ca/PDFs/Miyat...logue%2085.pdf

But if its 1024, its really a difference without distinction for your use/needs. Both are perfectly fine for a fork. Basically, the tubing will just be .1mm or so thicker. It will add a few ounces to the fork. The fork is high quality, even if its made with 1024 tubing because it has front rack mounts mid fork and dropout mounts for both a fork and fenders. Its a well designed fork that shouldnt be dismissed just because its a few ounces heavier than cromoly.

BikeWonder

+1 on Raliegh Portage.
I've been wanting to get my hands on that bike for a bit but they are not for sale here in Canada. I'd grab one as soon as possible if given the opportunity. Why spend a ton modifying a bike for 26 orn700c into 650b when you already have a great candidate frame like the Portage?

I'm sure it handles really well and with 650b becoming known for it's versatility (handling characteristics of 700c and 26 inch, but the strength of a 26 wheel), and a great, but expensive set of 650b tires now available, I don't see why not.

The Golden Boy 

With all the awe inspiring touring bikes I lust at- I would seriously throw down on that Raleigh Portage.

Egginahole

Well I picked up the Raleigh Portage tonight. Not a bad ride for being 34 years old. I test rode it a few times before negotiating on the price. Even with some old dry rotted tires it was smooth. Possible down side for me is it's the 23" frame. I was told it was the 25". The dimensions are similar to my tadem which is also slightly undersized.
Next step is a serious cleaning, disassembly, more cleaning then put it back together. My hope is to get it set up to factory like specs to decide if I'll keep it or not.
Thanks ladies and gentlemen for your feedback. I'm sure I'll lean on you more in the future.

Hobbiano 

What? No pictures?

Pcampeau

Great to hear and Congratulations! I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.

P.S.
I hope you get to 10 posts soon.

BikeWonder

In the wise words of Golden Boy,
"Pix or it didn't happen"
I think that's what he usually says

Egginahole

This is now post #8

Egginahole

Post #9

Egginahole

10?

Egginahole

Egginahole

Hudson308 

You done good!

RobbieTunes

I have a longish 56cm Klein Performance that is set up for touring. I ran it with a rear rack and front bag. That or a Cannondale ST would be my first pick. After that, the Trek 520 is an all-around gem.

Pure touring, Miyata has no slouch tourers, same with the Specializeed Expedition. Fuji and Centurion also had some excellent versatile models.

My Klein is available but small for 6’3”

ryansu

Looks like you picked up the Portage but the mid to late 80s is a sweet spot for touring bikes IMHO, In addition to the Raliegh and Miyata and Trek 520, 620, and 720 you have Schwinn, Nishiki, Univega, Specialized etc I have owned the Schwinn Passage, and currently have a Trek 520 and a Nishiki Cresta GT. Cresta GT below, welcome to the club.

Wildwood 

This bike looks small for someone over an inch taller than myself.

Salamandrine 

That's an interesting bike. Somehow I never heard of those in the 80s, cuz I ever worked in a Raleigh shop I guess. It must have been a royal pain to get 650B tires then. It simply wasn't used stateside. You'd have had to special order them from a distributor and wait.

Anyhow, I hate to be the first one to say this*, but that looks to be too small for you, traditionally speaking. 25" would be a better size for you. IHowever, if the top tube is around the correct length, this bike can be made to work. You'll need to swap out a longer seatpost and a riser stem. Raising those pieces above minimum insertion is a very bad idea. Even the marked min insertion is usually optimistic. If there's not enough post inside the frame, you can break your seat lug and ruin the frame.

Traditionally, a drop bar touring bike is/was set up with the bar height somewhere between level with the seat to about one inch below. That's still a good starting point. If you like the bike and get there with a riser stem, that's perfectly fine.

(EDIT * looks like i'm the second one to say this... )

Egginahole

I'm bummed it's not the 25". I just couldn't let it sit in Northern Wisconsin unused. It's to cool and unique! My plan as of now remains the same to clean and tune it.
Hopefully I will make a decision to keep it or sell soon. I still want a steel touring bike after all.
I understand for my personal use, I could increase the seat post as the one on there is definitely not designed for someone 6'3". Agree with the stem that it would need to be taller too.

thumpism 

I was given one in very nice shape. We had no extra space at the time so I passed it on and regret that. My size. Yes, finding 650B tires was a pain. We sold one new in Seattle to a kid from Alaska who set out to ride across the country on it and had to force him to buy a spare tire. I hope he did not have to appreciate what we did for him.

Egginahole

Here's that Miyata 610 I found for reference and ability to post pictures.

jlaw

That's a nice bike and it looks like most of the vintage components can be cleaned/greased/re-used in order to keep costs down without sacrificing functionality. The tires are a decent size and you might be able to fit slightly bigger. It's interesting to see an old 650b rim.

Re: the size - I suggest that you set the seat height properly for your leg length and then place a level from the seat toward the front of the bike. Measure the height from the 'leveled' level to the top of the headset. This will give the nec. stem reveal to get your bars level with your seat (assuming you want this). The Nitto Technomic 1" threaded stem is known to be one of the longer stem offerings and it has a minimum insertion that yields 160 mm of reveal (max.) above the headset.

This should give you some idea of whether you can make this 23" frame work for you.

https://www.amazon.com/Nitto-Technom.../dp/B001GSSI1I

Salamandrine 

Wow. You did the right thing, but the kid may have thought you were just trying to squeeze him for some more accessory money...

The weird thing to me is that 650B is or at least was the French 26" size. You'd think Raleigh would have used a good British size like 26 x 1 3/8" / EA3. IIRC early brit MTB's used 650B, which must be the reason they spec'd it.

escii_35

23in horizontal top tube touring bike at your size … yipes.

I'm only 6'1 with long femers and the smallest traditional bike I own is a 61cm C-T. The big problem for me is top tube length not seat tube. One I get out of the saddle my knees will crash into the handle bars.

Mid-late eighties are a price performance sweet spot for touring rigs. 27in wheels on some models is about about the only downer.

PS: In those pics it looks more like a converted MTB than a road bike. :-)

Cougrrcj

Three out of the four of my road bikes are 27". Yes, tires are getting harder to come by.

I used to say - "Well, at least there's WalMart" for an 'emergency tire' - But I actually looked at my local WalMart last weekend, and no 27" to be found.

If I were to tour today - I'd still take either of my 27"-tire triple-crank bikes -- but I'd have a folding 27" spare tire in my bag! Folding Pasela PTs are still available in 27x1-1/4 for less than $30 online...

uprightbent

Here's my 84' 610, all dressed up after a complete tear down and rebuild. Loving it.