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09-13-10, 10:13 PM
At long last, my latest folding bike, my Fusion, is now ready for it’s close-up. This bike was in development since it’s June purchase and rescue from oblivion. It is now spiffy & flashy-a rather metallic shimmery coppery brown, just begging for all of my global fans to enjoy. So... gather round your computer screens, grab some hot buttery popcorn:popcorn:popcorn:popcorn, and enjoy the journey of self-discovery of a long forgotten gem of a bike and it’s transition into the 21st century.
Recap
After I cleaned off the heavy grime, some rust, and neglect of this bike, I began to see that this bike was little used, if at all, by the previous owners. The original pedals looked like they were just put on yesterday, not almost 40 years ago. And later, during it’s overhaul of the Bottom Bracket & Headset, the bike’s parts also showed no wear. Good as I was saved an additional 100 or so dollars of parts replacement which was directed for other things..
The Path Chosen
I decided to do a “fusion” approach of melding or blending the proven 40 year old technology with the newer much improved present day one for folding bikes. I decided to explore then pick the best new parts upgrades and other parts taken from the Dahons before being sold or donated. With a few minor exceptions (MKS Sylvan pedals & a double prong kickstand to be added later this month or early next month), the bike is finished for now. The final work order/price tag list is as follows:
Headset Rebuild
BB Rebuld
2x brake recable
2x tire/wheel install
hub adjust
Labor 53 dollars
One 20” wheel BMX
2x 20” rims changed out
Brake cables, etc.
New Parts Not transferred From The Dahons 67 dollars
Discount For Month Long Wait-well worth it-10 dollars
Total Price $120 US Postal Domestic Money Order (better than being too dependent on credit cards)
Rationale:
Instead of reusing the steel hubs or even the rims, I opted to replace them with the AW hub, handlebar shifter, rear cog, and chain from the Dahon Boardwalk. The Piccolo donated funds to pay for the fusion upgrades by it’s sale plus it’s saddle I bought for it. The Brompton provided a means to determine how to best proceed with this project, a realistic assessment of it’s potenial as a foundation for the eventual creation & growth of the Brompton brand & company itself.
I sewed another Denim bag especially designed for this bike ( and used it to transport the bike back to the shop when the brake pad was rubbing the rim).
I cleaned up the bike myself to gain some familiarity of it as it did not come with an instruction book. I learned how to fold it up, get the parts unstuck before I took it to the bike shop. Thus allowing the mechanic to concentrate on the more important part of salvaging this bike.
Bike Shop Selection
Enjoy the photos! This beautiful “Fusion” bike was professionaly upgraded by Flying Pigeon-LA @ http://www.flyingpigeon-la.com/ This shop specializes in real Dutch, English, Scandinavian, and similar bikes actually built within these countries of origin besides the Flying Pigeon brand. And they do work on oddball vintage bikes that most shops scratch their heads over-that is why I picked them to bring back my Raleigh from oblivion. They know about the various anachronisms not too well known in most modern bike shops in North America like internal hub gears, cotter pins, rod brakes, and the like.
So....the next time you are in the Southern California area, stop by and see absolutely no spandex, matching helmets, and some real sanity toward using bikes as a true alternative to the private motor vehicle. No Lance clones here! Besides how many bike shops do this annually: http://www.flyingpigeon-la.com/2010/09/parking-day-2010-at-flying-pigeon-la/ (http://www.flyingpigeon-la.com/2010/09/parking-day-2010-at-flying-pigeon-la/)
More Photos at my auxillary Flickr Website http://www.flickr.com/photos/world-of-folding-bicycles-too/
Recap
After I cleaned off the heavy grime, some rust, and neglect of this bike, I began to see that this bike was little used, if at all, by the previous owners. The original pedals looked like they were just put on yesterday, not almost 40 years ago. And later, during it’s overhaul of the Bottom Bracket & Headset, the bike’s parts also showed no wear. Good as I was saved an additional 100 or so dollars of parts replacement which was directed for other things..
The Path Chosen
I decided to do a “fusion” approach of melding or blending the proven 40 year old technology with the newer much improved present day one for folding bikes. I decided to explore then pick the best new parts upgrades and other parts taken from the Dahons before being sold or donated. With a few minor exceptions (MKS Sylvan pedals & a double prong kickstand to be added later this month or early next month), the bike is finished for now. The final work order/price tag list is as follows:
Headset Rebuild
BB Rebuld
2x brake recable
2x tire/wheel install
hub adjust
Labor 53 dollars
One 20” wheel BMX
2x 20” rims changed out
Brake cables, etc.
New Parts Not transferred From The Dahons 67 dollars
Discount For Month Long Wait-well worth it-10 dollars
Total Price $120 US Postal Domestic Money Order (better than being too dependent on credit cards)
Rationale:
Instead of reusing the steel hubs or even the rims, I opted to replace them with the AW hub, handlebar shifter, rear cog, and chain from the Dahon Boardwalk. The Piccolo donated funds to pay for the fusion upgrades by it’s sale plus it’s saddle I bought for it. The Brompton provided a means to determine how to best proceed with this project, a realistic assessment of it’s potenial as a foundation for the eventual creation & growth of the Brompton brand & company itself.
I sewed another Denim bag especially designed for this bike ( and used it to transport the bike back to the shop when the brake pad was rubbing the rim).
I cleaned up the bike myself to gain some familiarity of it as it did not come with an instruction book. I learned how to fold it up, get the parts unstuck before I took it to the bike shop. Thus allowing the mechanic to concentrate on the more important part of salvaging this bike.
Bike Shop Selection
Enjoy the photos! This beautiful “Fusion” bike was professionaly upgraded by Flying Pigeon-LA @ http://www.flyingpigeon-la.com/ This shop specializes in real Dutch, English, Scandinavian, and similar bikes actually built within these countries of origin besides the Flying Pigeon brand. And they do work on oddball vintage bikes that most shops scratch their heads over-that is why I picked them to bring back my Raleigh from oblivion. They know about the various anachronisms not too well known in most modern bike shops in North America like internal hub gears, cotter pins, rod brakes, and the like.
So....the next time you are in the Southern California area, stop by and see absolutely no spandex, matching helmets, and some real sanity toward using bikes as a true alternative to the private motor vehicle. No Lance clones here! Besides how many bike shops do this annually: http://www.flyingpigeon-la.com/2010/09/parking-day-2010-at-flying-pigeon-la/ (http://www.flyingpigeon-la.com/2010/09/parking-day-2010-at-flying-pigeon-la/)
More Photos at my auxillary Flickr Website http://www.flickr.com/photos/world-of-folding-bicycles-too/