Dahon Stainless
 

Thought I would share this here, my new favourite bike! Has turned from something I bought for family trips to stand in for my road bike to the only bike I use. Most comfortable ride so far on distance. My friends literally laughed at me when I grabbed it for a ride from Toronto East to Niagara Falls and back (240km) but I was the only one not sore when we got there. Best upgrade so far has been the crankset, the original folding one weighed about 5 lbs. New tires made a big difference too. One thing I think people neglect to do when they get these bikes is to adjust and tighten all the screws and clamps, if you do so properly it isn't rattly at all. Also I found it was severely under-greased, particularly the headset and front hub. Here are some pictures from yesterday's ride:

https://i.imgur.com/hfOonkD.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/tHniJg1.jpg
[IMG]https://i.imgur.com/8rBixmt.jpg[/IMG]
https://i.imgur.com/VRy62zu.jpg

Beautiful bike.

Thank you! It will look nicer once I replace the cable housing but finances dictate that I take things one at a time.

I completely understand. Please post a few more pics when you get a chance to do the upgrade. I can't wait to see how it all works out. :thumb:

The only old Dahon really worth cherishing. Great pics! Look after the lower seatpost tube; it looks bent. A longer top section might be needed for more strength.

Yes I'm sure it is bent, the post goes down slowly. Luckily I have an alloy replacement post on the way that should knock off another pound, which would bring it down to 25lbs. Not bad for an old folder!

Great looking bike. Which IGH and which tires are those?

The shifter is for a 3 speed SA. Shape of hub looks like SA3

Thank you! Badmother is right and it is a Sturmey "Always Works" 3 speed. The gearing is great, with 3rd being a perfect "get around" gear, 2nd for starts and 1st for steep hills. The only thing missing is a 4th gear - I could push this bike a lot faster with one.

The tires are Chao Yang slicks. They are lightweight, easy rolling tires that have seen their fair share of sharp gravel and broken trails - no cuts or flats so far. They did have a bit of a sticky, squeaky feeling for the first few days but the first gravel trail seemed to get rid of it.

Very cool - looks like fun!

how do you like having only a front brake? Glad you are having fun with it

Thank you! Fun is actually how I would describe riding this bike overall. Some bikes just make you smile when you're riding them, it's hard to quantify.

To be fair I only actually ever use the front brake, old riding habit. Normally on a classic bike I keep both brakes for aesthetic purposes, but didn't see the point on this one. Also, try as I might with the original brakes and levers (they were "Wheeling" which was a great name because they didn't hinder the wheels from moving at all) were honestly horrific. I remember a few rides where I'd be flying along in 3rd, need to stop at a light a block away and just barely make it using a Kung Fu grip on both levers. With the current set up of the Tektro lever mated to the CLB with Kool Stops it stops on a dime. I love CLB's and find they have both great stopping power and modulation.

I'd probably go for the stainless model with the British/ISO bottom bracket rather than the Ashtabula.

Early 80's...

Still, most of the hardware is chromed steel , people who took those on their Boats found how salt mist in the air rusts things, fast.




..

I think you must have a different year than mine. All of the screws and bolts are Stainless, same with the handlebar and seatpost. The only chromed steel items are the quick release clamps, crank and chainring and both hubs.

Had to go and check with a magnet - for some strange reason only the clamp on the seatpost is chromed steel, the other two are stainless. Now I'm going to hunt down another Stainless clamp to replace it!

I don't own one but the shop I used to work in, sold them.

doubt the crank is not CP steel .. keep it dry

Hopefully this will show the difference.

Chromed steel quick release:
https://i.imgur.com/CxPh9tn.jpg

Stainless quick release:
https://i.imgur.com/7JGktZf.jpg

I certainly will. The moment it starts raining I fold it up and jump on the streetcar! The crank is my own replacement- it's a chromoly SR hollow tubular crank.

Used to have one of those chromoly SR hollow tubular cranks , nicest of it's type, ever.

Thanks I think so too - was very pleased to find one in the correct length on EBay. It is 660 grams, so I think I actually came out ahead if you figure it includes cranks, spindle and crank bolts. Even Nuovo Record would come in at around 700+ with all those. Of course there's the heavy steel chainring, but I wanted to keep the look original.

Awesome that you enjoy her.

240km on a three speed wow...

I remember the cromoly hollow cranks coming out for BMX in the one piece days. Great adaptation. As I recall they take 9/16 pedals too?

Thank you! I wish they were 9/16, 1/2" unfortunately. I stuck with the original pedals, I just ground off all the pegs because they were scuffing up the top tube during folding.

Nice you got it dialed in the way you like. 240km is a heck of a ride on any bike. I am not as skilled and comfortable with only a front brake as you are... I have had a few near misses and instinctlvely grabbed a handful of front and rear. I probably would of high sided with only fronts.

I am new to this classic Dahon having just purchased one... I do find a lot of enjoyment riding it. It definitely has a place in the types of rides I want to take.

Thanks for sharing this.