Bent bolt on stem post hinge (folder)
 

Today I noticed that the stem post hinge on my Dahon Boardwalk S1 was loose and wobbling, so I "tightened" the hinge bolt further into the hinge nut, which I now know was counterintuitive, as it gave the hinge even more play. However, before I realized this, I had attempted to fold my stem post back into operating position, and in doing so, the end of the bolt was bent by the frame underneath the hinge due to the fact that I had tightened the bolt so far.

Now I have a bolt that is bent right at the end of the threads of the hinge nut. I tried using downward force with a tool to bend the bolt back, but I have so far been unable to do that. Until I am able to either straighten or cut and replace the bolt, I am unable to ride the bike, as the stempost won't fold up. Any ideas how to remedy this situation? I'd greatly appreciate it.

It would seem that you're grounded until you replace the part. I'd call or email Dahon for a replacement part, and once I had it in my hand commence to removing the bent one. Removal may call for a hacksaw, or cut off grinder. Cut the bolt above the nut, clean up the cut, and work it out forward so you don't jam it trying to back the bent area out.

BTW- while your ordering the part, also order the part it threads into, as you might damage the threads while trying to get the bent bolt back out.

I was afraid that you'd say that, but it's not surprising. Thanks for your help.

If you can remove whatever is holding the other end of the bolt, you may be able to rotate the bolt 90 degrees so that the bend in in the same plane as the axis of the barrel it's threaded into and then push/pull on the bolt to straighten it.

That's unfortunately not possible; the other end of the bolt appears to be inseparable from the hinge it's connected to. The only way to remove the bolt would be to remove the entire hinge lever. I took the bike in to Performance and got them to order the part. We'll see how the installation goes.

While your're waiting for the replacement parts, you could try unscrewing the long bolt (it has hexagonal flats, I think) with a Crescent wrench. It would be easier to do if you removed the bolt from the hinge assembly (you'd have to drill out the pin and replace it with a new one or a similarly sized threaded bolt and nut). The bolt is made of soft steel and even if slightly bent should back out .

At the far end of the upper link in the photo there appears to be a clevis pin with a retaining ring on one end. If that's the case, it'd be a simple matter to remove the retaining ring, the pin, and free up the link to be able to rotate the bolt. That pin could also be cut and removed and then replaced with a bolt and stop-nut.

Thats a model we dont always have all the bits and pieces.... measure the length of the adjusting rod and email me .... I might be able to help
thor