I have three photos, and am not entirely certain that I'll be able to insert them where planned in the text.

My Dahon Speed P8 came with the "the plastic ball socket thingies", and based on advice here Iordered the Tern magnetix. I was a bit puzzled by what was in the mounting kit, as there didn't seem to be a secure way to mount the smaller magnet. Poking around, I found the first photo on the Tern site:


What I still don't comprehend is that this magnet appears intended to slide in and out under the spring's marginal control.
Is this the case?

I also found a photo on a Euro site, showing what appears to be an alternate (earlier?) version.


Looking further, I found this site: https://tinyurl.com/zmsca3e

which has the last photo:


showing the Tern small magnet piece at a very distorted angle. This fellow didn't like the Tern magnetix, and switched to the Dahon socket system - just the reverse of what I want to do.

==>> Did he install it incorrectly, and if not - how do you keep the right-hand piece perpendicular with the mounting braze-on?

==>> How do you install the Tern E-clip so that it doesn't go flying? They only include one, and I've had similar parts disappear and/or break in the past.

I don't understand why someone would want to replace the "plastic socket thingies" with Magnetix. The plastic socket and ball system work a lot better and are way more secure that a couple of magnets.

I believe Thor has info on these.
I think he has posted before on the topic of fitting Magnetix on other bikes.

Well - Dahon dropped them and went back to the magnets, so maybe you should ask them.

This doesn't mean that they are superior or function better. I don't care about they're explanations. I've tried both systems and the plastic socket is way better.

until they break

I have tried both, too. All five of the Dahons that I have owned have had the magnets. I have an interest in a company that was an authorized Dahon dealer for 5.5 years. During that time we sold several Dahons with the plastic socket. My experience has been that the plastic sockets were difficult to adjust and broke easily. We replaced some plastic sockets with magnets. We did not replace any magnets with plastic sockets. That said, since the plastic socket is working well for you, I would not recommend that you replace the plastic socket with the magnet.

-HANK RYAN-
Norman, Oklahoma USA

I find it interesting that even with close to 150 views, my original questions are still unanswered.

what question? in regards to what picture ?

Quote:

Originally Posted by velotrain

... My Dahon Speed P8 came with the "the plastic ball socket thingies", and based on advice here Iordered the Tern magnetix. I was a bit puzzled by what was in the mounting kit, as there didn't seem to be a secure way to mount the smaller magnet. ...

I have no experience installing the Tern part on a Dahon. Perhaps you should use the Dahon part rather than the Tern part. I think ThorUSA has both available.

Quote:

Originally Posted by velotrain

... I also found a photo on a Euro site, showing what appears to be an alternate (earlier?) version. ...

This looks like the version that has been on all of my Dahons.

Quote:

Originally Posted by velotrain

... the last photo: showing the Tern small magnet piece at a very distorted angle. ...

This may be because something is preventing the bike from being folded so that the magnet and the metal plate line up better.

Quote:

Originally Posted by velotrain

... how do you keep the right-hand piece perpendicular with the mounting braze-on? ...

In the picture, the "right-hand piece" appears to me to be the magnet assembly. The spring around the bolt holding the magnet provides a small bit of flexibility. The circular plate attached to the front fork is mounted at an offset to allow some flexibility in the location of the plate.

Quote:

Originally Posted by velotrain

... How do you install the Tern E-clip so that it doesn't go flying? They only include one, and I've had similar parts disappear and/or break in the past. ...

Sorry, but I can't help you with this one.


-HANK RYAN-
Norman, Oklahoma USA

its a little tricky to get the circlip on there as the spring wasnts to pull the rod away, but its not impossible either. Havent seen a circlip loosen after it has been installed

main difference is that the tern is much stronger magnet

I may need to order a set of Tern magnets from you. My Dahon Speed P8 plastic thingy is cracked, and the magnets will be a huge improvement.

You can be the poster boy for the plastic thingy vs. magnet discussion!

I have 2 Dahon Speed bikes, and 1 has the magnet, and the other has that annoying clip. Here's a picture of both,... 1 is the Speed P8 in red, and the other is my custom Speed 3i (a former Speed Uno/Duo).