Dahon Mu P8 frame latch/hinge problem
 

Hi guys,

Hope someone can help, been browsing the forums looking for similar but unable to find it.

Dusted off the bike after not riding for close to a year (terrible, I know). After a nice ride, went to fold my bike and it became stuck. Closer inspection revealed that the screw/pin on the side was bent. Managed to coax the hexagonal bit (not sure what it's called) with my fingers and got the bike to fold.

Been mulling it over and after looking online (CHWHITE) it seems an awful waste of money to spend £30+ on the repair kit if I don't have to.

My question is this: can I simply replace the screw or is there more to it? Is this a symptom of something more serious?


https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...0dd249ace8.jpg

Screw/Pin is bent at an unholy angle...


https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...799e6c7fbe.jpg

Thanks in advance!

Need to find the Root Cause. I suggest to obtain the proper repair kit. I heard your statement about the price. Sometimes you don't have a choice.

Safety is Paramount.

Find the Root Cause.

Probably not the recommended advice but I'd be tempted to disassemble the whole mechanism, clean and regrease etc and then bend that screw carefully straight again and any sign of weakness/damage to the metal of the screw replace it. I think both my Paris Explorer and Muddyfox folding bikes have similar latching mechanisms. If you need to replace the screw perhaps spend some time measuring it accurately and then see if you local hardware shop can supply one if its anything non-standard. I keep a jar of old screws that hasn't failed to provide me with any screws I need even if I have to cut them down occasionally. You can zinc plate/galvanish on the cheap if the screw you find/buy is likely to rust.

Seein how bolt bends, it seems its a simple misstight of the bolt that leads to the bend.
i think its farly simple yo find another one in same specs on local hardware store.

Remove the screw/bolt and replace it. It doesn't matter you order a whole new kit, or just replace the 1 part. DO NOT STRAIGHTEN IT OUT!!! It's already suffering from fatigue from being bent, and it's weakened enough to be a danger.

TDS is right, internet jockeys advising a rider to straighten a bent and fatigued bolt on a folding bike should stop doing that. This is a singletrack vehicle operating on public roads, it needs to be safely maintained with functional mechanical systems so the damn thing doesn't collapse at 15mph. Buy the repair kit.

I might have a spare repair kit, if you're based in the uk. But yes, it appears you just need a bolt

Thank you very much guys, really appreciate it.

Thank you, very kind! I'll PM you.

Some investigating led me to believe it's an M4 screw (mainly based on THIS), so had been searching online for one that's 18mm but proving elusive...

Yes I probably shouldn't have written that but in my experience I've straightened many steel bolts and screws where replacements were not available and had no issues. However going to a hardware shop and buying a similar screw made of the wrong material and not matching the specification is also a safety issue and a possible failure of the component. If you are doing everything to the maximum safety level you would only replace with the exact correct part not improvise a replacement and even that might not be sufficient if there is a flaw in the design. In that instance why are you even on a Dahon bicycle with a long history of recalls and safety problems and with a aluminium frame with a finite life and fatigue that always gets weaker with time. It's perfectly normal and expected for a aluminium frame to fail after years of use and most manuals give advice to maintain a watch for possible cracks that indicate this.

Anyway an interesting blog about Dahon's here although unfortunately the advice given only really helps those with steel Dahons. The comments in it reinforces my view that Dahon bikes are junk, unsafe and best avoided.

Bruce Teakle's Pages: Fixing a wobbly Dahon frame hinge

Oh FFS, that's just trolling. I advised the guy to buy the repair kit and I stand by it. A properly maintained and repaired Dahon is as safe as anything with a hinge and two wheels on a road can be.

Totally agree!

Thanks everyone.
I went to my charity/community LBS who offered me a selection of screws from old bikes and one of them fit nicely.
Test ride was good so I have no excuse to ride now, lol!
Thanks again. You guys are very knowledgeable and offer your advice freely, muchas gracias.