1988 Fisher Mt Tam

[Joe Steel]

Or, as I like to call it, the Dirt Drop Commando Mt Tam

I really wanted to share this with you:

This project started with a "well loved" frame set that was rescued from the damp Pacific Northwestern US.

Gauging by the nicks and chips, it appeared to have previously enjoyed a full life of rewarding service

When it landed in my hands, the original finish had already been stripped away, exposing the beautiful hand-worked fillet brazing of Tom Teesdale

Over the winter of 2013 - 2014, I set out to build my adventure bike. Something I had been scheming about for years. A vintage fillet-brazed camouflage dirt drop "Commando".

I enjoyed the process so much, I was really sad when it all came together. Although I was really pleased with the end result.

If you have the time or interest, here's a blog post on the build process:
http://crankbased.blogspot.com/2014/03/ ... t-tam.html

If you made it this far down my very first and loooong RBUK post.... Thank you!

 

[mrkawasaki]

Monster!

 

[Joe Steel]

What I currently have as a build sheet:

 

[Shayne]

Re:

Wow! Quite the transformation.

Love the camo paint and Commando nod.

 

[Ductape]

Cool bike. Dig the LD. Welcome to Retrobike. Need to go straight to BOTM with this one.

 

[elite504]

^^ Classic. Lovely brazing from Tom, RIP.
What does she shred like?

 

[Mike Muz]

Re:

Fantastic !

I'd like to know how you did the paintwork

Mike

 

[raidan73]

Re:

I love that. Great work. I look forward to reading your blog when I get off the phone and into the laptop.

 

[yo-Nate-y]

Super cool--the camo idea is great as is drop bar'ing it. I really miss my Mt Tam. Great riding bikes and under valued, RIP to TET.

I didn't click through to the other build blog to see if you mentioned it, but how was the process with Clockwork for the stem? I've been curious about them.

 

[Joe Steel]

Re:

Thanks for the positive comments.

The paint was done by Rick at D&D. He's been painting bikes for decades. In fact, he painted the original Ritchey Commandos. I thought it was quite a bonus to have him local.

The ride is classic fillet brazed prestige. Well grounded, solid and smooth. (Although I do have video of me crashing on it I blame that on the tires.

I ended up with the stem in a trade with someone else so I didn't work directly with Joel to have it made. However, I have emailed Joel several times over the past two years for different things & I've found him very responsive. I wouldn't hesitate to do business with him.