Question about fork Dahon mu
 

Hallo, I have been trying to pack a Dahon Mu p8 ( 2015) into a 28" cheap suitcase, the ones that Samsonite makes to sell at Ross.
I followed the advise found in different threads here and removed :
* handldbar
* derailleur
* kickstand
* half of the handlepost ( it's the telescopic v radius)
* I removed the V-Brakes in the back too 😁

It will fit, but since I got this far disassembling should I remove the fork too?
That's my question to you? This being the very first time I play bicycle mechanic 😊 I really don't know what to expect if I just remove the screws on the post. There is no information about how to replace a fork in a dahon. Are there moving parts that will be damaged while in the suitcase being thrown around by the handlers at the airport?
I realize this might be an stupid question but this is all new to me and if it can be done, the transport/packing of the bicycle will be safer.
Thanks

I don't see a reason to remove the fork for packing in a suitcase if it fits otherwise.

Only thing to watch for - if the front wheel is removed, make sure you have a plastic spacer or some such to fit between the fork blades while it's in the suitcase. You don't want the fork getting crushed from a side impact.

Thank you, maybe I should refrase the question : " what is the degree of difficulty of disassembly the fork on a Dahon?

Gotta get the handlepost off before you can remove the fork on a Dahon. The procedure is probably not difficult if you know which bolts need to be loosened to remove it. If you don't, and you start loosening every bolt in sight on the handlepost in an effort to remove it to get at the fork, you're creating a headache you don't want, as it might take awhile to get everything back in proper adjustment.

So my advice is, unless you're replacing the fork or rebuilding the headset, don't go messing with fork removal. Perhaps Thor will chime in on degree of difficulty.

Here are images of my Dahon Mu XL when I took the headset apart to grease the bearings.
1) Remove the center bolt (this provides pressure on the headset bearings when the handlepost is reinstalled)
2) Loosen the side bolt and remove the handlepost from the steerer tube.
3) At this point you should be able to slide the steerer tube out of the headset bearings.

Replacement of the fork is the reverse. You will need to tighten the center bolt to provide proper headset adjustment before tightening the side bolt. You should be able to find the correct torque settings on the Dahon site.

I agree with those ^^ who recommend against removing the fork if it's not absolutely necessary.
Steve

More on Mu fork removal...
Pictures of further steps. The last image is what you get if you take apart the bearings themselves.:eek:

Note: I actually got the headset back together without too much trouble. This is my dedicated "winter" bike now. The astute observer will notice what appears to be a crack at the back edge of the weld at the frame tube where it joins the headset. My brother-in-law re-welded this spot for me and it's been fine since. The bike had 7,000 miles on it at the time; currently it's over 12,000.
Steve

@bargainguy thanks for the great advice.
@sweeks thank you for the pictures and explanation, I just hope that one day I will be able to contribute as you do to this forum. And point taken; I will let the handlepost alone; I don’t want to deal with headset, not my cup of tea. ��

There is a lot on Youtube on how to work on bikes.

Maybe take off the handlebar if packing is difficult or slide the upper parts of the stem out of the lower part.

Sometimes the best solution is to get a different suitcase.

that video is interesting, however did not show details about removing the fork.
indeed, there are videos on youtube, but none about Dahon on the subject of this thread.
the whole point about using the suitcase in question is to remain withing the airline limits.

It was the closest I could find. Just pull the stem off and under is the bearrings.

You can use a different suitcase with a different shape and still stay within the airline limits.

^^...what badmother said.

I have three different suitcases that I use for my various Bike Fridays: Carlton, Samsonite Oyster and Samsonite F'lite.

The first two are within 62" maximum airline dimensions, the last is slightly over....but that doesn't stop me from flying with it.

Couple things to keep in mind: Never, ever exceed the 50 lb. weight limit if you're using a slightly oversize case. Why? The minute you exceed, the agent will pull out a tape measure, and see if you can be socked for oversize in addition to overweight charges.

I've never flown where they didn't check the weight of my suitcase. But I have flown with the F'lite and they didn't measure size for whatever reason.

I've actually waited for the agent to become busier before approaching. The busier they are, the less likely they are to check size. And I've never been charged oversize on any flight with the F'lite.

Great advice! Thanks. The bicycle is packed, lots of disassemble, being the first time it felt like an impossible goal. Ended up using foam to accommodate the parts inside. Weigh below 50 lb and size within limits, let's see if it makes it a cross the Atlantic