Folding Bikes - A Kangaroo in a dumpster

I just found in a dumpster a nice strange thing (bike?) called Asama kangaroo. There is a long fabric basket in place of a top tube. The frame has the giant company logo. It was apparently crashed (by a snow plower ?) I'm no expert but maybe the fork rake is now slightly wrong.

https://www.webdepot.umontreal.ca/Usagers/contandd/MonDepotPublic/Picts/DSC00015.JPG
https://www.webdepot.umontreal.ca/Usagers/contandd/MonDepotPublic/Picts/DSC00014.JPG

I like this bike a a lot so I'm going to repair it. I asked for advice on Fixed Gear Forum as where to find a fork with a very long (10" or more) 1" threaded steerer tube for 18" inch wheels with cantilever studs and someone suggested that people here could know.
Also I am not sure if I should go with a 18" as the original or rather with a 20" fork and wheel. So any link to a not too expensive 20" fork with a very long 1" threaded steerer tube and cantilever studs would do.

congrats on your find.

Here are two sources for 20" forks:
http://www.gaerlan.com/bikeparts/frame/forks/fork.html
http://www.nycbikes.com/catalog.php?item_type=Forks&item_cat=WAREHOUSE

You may have to buy or have the LBS install a longer steerer though.

Good luck!

Thanks a lot SesameCrunch... There is a 9$ 20" supension fork on nycbikes site that looks great. I can arc weld so I'll weld the old steerer to the new one as an extension... I'll post picts if it works

Looking forward to seeing it fixed up! That frame pocket is a really cool idea - you could keep fish in it!

That frame basket looks awesome. Please, when you get it fixed let us know how it rides, and whether the basket is useful, or too small for any good, or gets in the way of pedalling.

I can arc weld so I'll weld the old steerer to the new one as an extension...
I gotta learn how to do that one of these days!

We want to see pictures when you're done!

+1 on the frame basket. I've never seen anything like it before. very cool

Looks like an early version of this (http://www.yuhjiun.com/htm/products/VD-0501.htm). Quite fun how they've managed to make the kangaroo concept quite sporty looking. I wonder how many they sell - quite a practical idea for a mini-cargo-bike concept.

I see the brand Asama cycles on the bike.

When the pounch is full, you can say,

"Asama's been laden."

:D

I see the brand Asama cycles on the bike.

When the pounch is full, you can say,

"Asama's been laden."

:D

Very corny, and I'm ashamed to say I laughed at it...:o

"Asama's been laden."

:D

LOL,

I luv bad, corny jokes,


Juan

I wonder if that was a work bike for in a factory or something?

Thanks a lot SesameCrunch... There is a 9$ 20" supension fork on nycbikes site that looks great. I can arc weld so I'll weld the old steerer to the new one as an extension... I'll post picts if it works

nycbikes: 9$ for the fork and 26.89$ for shipping... so it was a no go. Fortunately my LBS had a 20" fork (chromed so I won't have to paint the fork plus the bike) 10$... Short steerer but as planned I cut the old steerer and arc welded it as an extension. Worked nicely. Dismounted all the bike including all bearing and everything is now tuned and greased. Now waiting for a wheel and then I'll post pictures.

PS: The rear wheel of that bike is a strange thing. Drum brake on one side, a never seen before free-wheel on the other. Bearing with 10 small balls on the drive side and 9 larger balls on the brake side. Different cones on each side. Plus the fact it is 18" in size... that won't be an easy replacement when it brakes...

So the Kangaroo is on the road again... a new 20" wheel in the front, a chromed fork with a the old steerer tube welded as a steerer extension, a double extension seat post (the red tuble slides inside the frame and the seat tube inside the red tube) so now the bike fits people 4' to 6' tall.... The new fork being longer it give the ride a smooth relax feeling... fun bike
https://www.webdepot.umontreal.ca/Usagers/contandd/MonDepotPublic/Picts/tout.JPG
https://www.webdepot.umontreal.ca/Usagers/contandd/MonDepotPublic/Picts/zoom.JPG

Sounds great Pilagou - wishing you many happy rides in the future. That cargo bay looks big enough to stow a big bottle of champagne for the official maiden voyaget (test runs withstanding).
If you get a chance for some snaps of the new fork setup the folder pr0n voyeurs here are likely waiting with baited breath... :)

Sounds great Pilagou - wishing you many happy rides in the future. That cargo bay looks big enough to stow a big bottle of champagne for the official maiden voyaget (test runs withstanding).
If you get a chance for some snaps of the new fork setup the folder pr0n voyeurs here are likely waiting with baited breath... :)

In fact there are picts... but my server is sllllllloooooooooowwwwwwwww today so it takes a while to load

It looks great! I am envious.

Has Asama been laden yet? ;)

Hello, I am new to posting, but have been researching folders for sometime. Does anyone know anything about this bike and model. I can find nothing on the net, not even a hint.

This would be a perfect folder for my needs if I could find another

rod

Hello, I am new to posting, but have been researching folders for sometime. Does anyone know anything about this bike and model. I can find nothing on the net, not even a hint.

This would be a perfect folder for my needs if I could find another

rod

To the best of my knowledge those were not distributed outside Japan (maybe elsewere in Asia ?) and this model in not in production anymore (it is from the 90's). This frame was designed by Asama but built by Giant. Asama still make one kangaroo but still only in Japan (look there (http://www.yuhjiun.com/htm/products/VD-0501.htm)). And while I find this bike very cute and fun I am not convinced that it can compete with current models by Dahon or Giant...

Rod, while it's a neat bike, I don't think it folds.

But looking at the frame configuaration, it's very similar to a "Twenty". So I've been trying to figure out how to add the upper bars without messing up the fold.

Nice work Pilagou!


So I've been trying to figure out how to add the upper bars without messing up the fold.
Just a thought, but do you really need the bars? Wouldn't it be enough to have a short cross-bar at the head tube (or a rotating one at the steerer (rotating, so it won't rotate when you steer)) and a short cross-bar at the seat tube? And then either reinforce the bag, or just use some strings between the two bars for side support of the bag.
If you make the bag (and maybe side supports) removable, you could maybe add one or two sholder straps to the bag and sling it over your sholder/wear it as backpack when the bike is folded.

Looks great Pilagou.

If I owned a place in NYC that delivered, I would want a small fleet of those. Seems like the perfect ride for a NY restaurant delivery man,

Juan

I wish they still made them.It would be good for running to the store etc.

I've seen them used for transporting small pets (maybe even your premature baby! LOL!)