pierce arrow folding bicycle?
03-15-09, 04:59 PM
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pierce arrow folding bicycle?
so i bought an old used folding bicycle yesterday... the sticker along the rear of the frame (below the seatpost) said 'pierce arrow' (past tense since i have since removed the cruddy stickers and cleaned up the frame) and it had additional stickers along both sides of the forks in an arrow shape, white with a black outline. additional proof that it was indeed a pierce arrow, and that someone didn't just slap pierce arrow stickers on some other manufacturer's bike, are the arrowhead-shaped decorative chrome fork toppers.
has anyone heard of this model? what year(s) was it produced? i'm not so interested in determining its value as its history... i've probably killed its vintage value upon removing its fenders, pannier rack and other heavy accoutrements i had no interest in preserving. in essence i stripped the frame bare and substituted parts from a bmx bike i recently rebuilt, making it a vintage/modern folding franken-bike.
i'll post some photos soon.
has anyone heard of this model? what year(s) was it produced? i'm not so interested in determining its value as its history... i've probably killed its vintage value upon removing its fenders, pannier rack and other heavy accoutrements i had no interest in preserving. in essence i stripped the frame bare and substituted parts from a bmx bike i recently rebuilt, making it a vintage/modern folding franken-bike.
i'll post some photos soon.
03-15-09, 06:33 PM
#2
holyrollin'
I've got a Pierce Arrow ten speed bike, it's got "MADE IN FRANCE" decals, and I figure mine was built in the early '70s, but I can't confirm it.
03-15-09, 06:59 PM
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FlatTop, I'd like to see some pictures. I had one as a kid, it was a hand me down from my brother. I'm pretty sure it was a rebranded gitane or motobecane.
The folder is almost certainly rebranded, I'll wait for pics.
The folder is almost certainly rebranded, I'll wait for pics.
03-17-09, 12:35 AM
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stripped the fenders, rear pannier cage, chainguard, and other 'fluff'... saved the old wheels for spares, and chucked on parts from my most recent bmx rebuild. it was a fun saturday 
center of gravity is really low on this bicycle... but since i'm 4'11" i find it quite comfortable.
there used to be lots of unnecessary sheet metal extras back here. now, nice and clean.
ye olde folding mechanism... wire ties make good cable stays.
mounted the rear caliper brake where the fender used to bolt on.
tight fit, required slight reshaping of the brake arm; drill and mitre saw with metal blade.
decorative chrome branding... pierce arrow motobecane trademark.
rides like a dream. more like a scooter with pedals than a bike.
center of gravity is really low on this bicycle... but since i'm 4'11" i find it quite comfortable.
there used to be lots of unnecessary sheet metal extras back here. now, nice and clean.
ye olde folding mechanism... wire ties make good cable stays.
mounted the rear caliper brake where the fender used to bolt on.
tight fit, required slight reshaping of the brake arm; drill and mitre saw with metal blade.
decorative chrome branding... pierce arrow motobecane trademark.
rides like a dream. more like a scooter with pedals than a bike.
Last edited by rekall; 03-19-09 at 04:32 AM.
03-17-09, 02:13 AM
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similar but not this bike...
70's-era bianci folding bike
bianci motorized, 1967... i'm referencing this one because it has
a similar chainguard as mine had (before i tore it off)
my chainguard said 'easy fold' on it.
70's-era bianci folding bike
bianci motorized, 1967... i'm referencing this one because it has
a similar chainguard as mine had (before i tore it off)
my chainguard said 'easy fold' on it.
03-17-09, 09:21 AM
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Motobecane. That leads me to believe the Pierce Arrow that I once had was one also.
https://cgi.ebay.com/Motobecane-Foldi...3286.m20.l1116
https://cgi.ebay.com/Motobecane-Foldi...3286.m20.l1116
03-18-09, 06:13 PM
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holyrollin'
The frame of mine is only partially lugged, and those lugs have the "M" stamped into them. I had assumed, maybe incorrectly, that the "M" stood for Manufrance, making the Pierce Arrow more of a department store level bike. Maybe it's a bit better than that.
03-19-09, 03:54 AM
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whoa, excellent digging/research.
looking at the photos of that ebay auction i can definitely confirm that the Motobecane folder is, except for the badge up front, utterly identical to my 'pierce arrow' folder; exactly the same caliper brakes, pedals, chainring, seat (san marco), handlebars, grips, ETC. and what sets it apart from the Bianchi, the shape of the rear of the frame and flip-up basket mount... the only thing that might differ between this and the pierce arrow -branded model is the chainguard which on the p.a. was larger still, leading all the way back to the locknut and with a sticker saying 'easy fold'
and yeah looking at the chrome fork tops a second time with this new knowledge, it IS a split-down-the-middle capital M.
looking at the photos of that ebay auction i can definitely confirm that the Motobecane folder is, except for the badge up front, utterly identical to my 'pierce arrow' folder; exactly the same caliper brakes, pedals, chainring, seat (san marco), handlebars, grips, ETC. and what sets it apart from the Bianchi, the shape of the rear of the frame and flip-up basket mount... the only thing that might differ between this and the pierce arrow -branded model is the chainguard which on the p.a. was larger still, leading all the way back to the locknut and with a sticker saying 'easy fold'
and yeah looking at the chrome fork tops a second time with this new knowledge, it IS a split-down-the-middle capital M.
03-19-09, 04:28 AM
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as a side-note i'd like to add that i had fun learning how to service a now-considered-obsolete Thompson bottom bracket; about as easy as an Ashtabula, really. only annoying part was that the non-drive-side spline had mushroomed out considerably with age so it took wedging a screwdriver into the crank and hammering to get it loose from the spindle. otherwise, it all fit back together fine once i applied new grease to the bearing cages.
