Folding Bikes - Good candidate for fixer upper?

Heres a "PORTA III", saw another one in a different thread (will reference)

on local classifieds, ~40 bucks obo. Just wondering if anyone knows much about these things, and if you think it would be simple to fix up and use it for a winter commuter.

http://img1.classistatic.com/cps/kj/091201/952r8/77924a2_20.jpeg

http://img1.classistatic.com/cps/kj/091201/953r6/4009ee0_20.jpeg

http://london.kijiji.ca/c-ViewAdLargeImage?AdId=172287985&back=-5&ImageIndex=3

http://img1.classistatic.com/cps/kj/091201/954r7/0458gdf_20.jpeg

i know the pics suck, i didnt take them.

do you think its too beat up to fix? I know i want alum rims, so i think i would need to find a new wheel, would upgrading this thing be too much $$, am i better off getting a different bike?

-Aaron

I say go for it. Looks like a great candidate for some TLC. Unique, interesting, and useful!

Most of the rust in those pics will completely disappear with treatment with a chemical rust remover (phosphoric acid). They will appear as new, especially items like the mudguards and chain guard. You will be amazed. :thumb: Just don't be tempted to try steel wool or something abrasive. You can also try rubbing with aluminium foil wetted with WD-40 - also works wonders.

So yes, a rust bucket like that will return to showroom condition just by rust treatment. Cheap so far.

Then you can decide what you want to replace, such as wheels. Be warned: From this point forward it will cost quite a lot of money.

i want to ride this thing in the winter, and ive heard that alum wheels are a huge improvement in braking ability. Can anyone give me an idea of how much $ replacement wheels would be?

You should be able to pick up a cheapie generic front BMX wheel for very little, perhaps $10-20.

Rear is more of a problem; if you want to use the same hub obviously you will need to find a rim with the same # of holes and then get the wheel rebuilt, I would expect $50 at least all up.

One problem not mentioned you will face is rusty spokes which will break. Rusty spokes are the bane of old steel bikes. They become weakest link as far as reliability goes. As they corrode the break because they under a lot of tension and the area diminishes.

I agree with poster recommending you replace the front wheel with a BMX though you may have to spread the forks to do that. If you want to use your 3 speed hub than rebuilding the wheel with new rims and spokes becomes a must.

As for rust bronze wool with WD-40 works OK on chrome. For painted steel and chrome I like oxalic acid. You must dip the item in a solution of oxalic acid and water. It will remove the rust and leave the paint and decals without harm. It is cheap and unlike phosphoric acid, it does not blacken the steel.

Cool looking bike. For $40, I don`t think I`d be able to pass it up. Unfortunately, after I got it home and bathed, I probably wouldn`t be able to refrain from pouring a bunch more into it- glad it`s in your neighborhood and not mine :D

I would spend $40 for it.:thumb: I build my own wheels most of the time, so it is pretty cost effective for me. I use oxalic acid for rust removal, mix up a batch at 5% or so and throw the rusty stuff in for a few hours, rinse, wash with soapy water and polish. I avoid using things like steel wool because it will scratch and even remove the very thin outer layer of chrome.

Aaron:)

Thats a good looking bike. I think the wheels are the same as the ones I had on my Orange Puch MiniSprint.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c296/Alecw35/84orangebike.jpg

Ive stripped that of some parts and given the bike away to the second hand bike shop. Getting rid of most of my stuff.

I think your folders had some work on it. IE the gold rear caliper, probably from an 80s BMX.
Looks to me that the rust is like spots on a teenagers face. So might be too far gone for chemicals to get them nice again.