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Vintage German Folder - 1980's department store bike

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Vintage German Folder - 1980's department store bike

Old 01-14-21, 07:48 PM
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Vintage German Folder - 1980's department store bike

Hello,

I have a German folding bike that has been sitting under a porch for 30-35 years.Seems my late brother and family were stationed in Zweibrucken(?) Germany in the late 70's, early 80's and he bought this bike for his daughter, my niece. It was found during an estate clean out. She asked if I wanted it. Of course.

I took it home, inflated the tires and rode it around.

Now comes the fun part and have done nothing at this point except to take pictures.



First time it has seen the sun in 30 years.






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Old 01-14-21, 07:52 PM
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Unusual reflector holder

Coaster brake

Olympic rings, missing front brake.

I plan to clean up some rust, but kinda like the patina.
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Old 01-15-21, 11:27 AM
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Thanks for posting. Many folders used that generic frame shape. It reminds me of my first folder, a early 70’s Italian number.

I was bike racing around K-town near where your family was stationed in the mid 80’s!

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Old 01-16-21, 06:47 PM
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Originally Posted by 3speedslow
Thanks for posting. Many folders used that generic frame shape. It reminds me of my first folder, a early 70’s Italian number.

I was bike racing around K-town near where your family was stationed in the mid 80’s!

They all seem to have the same 'loop' and seat tube configuration.
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Old 01-17-21, 10:34 AM
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mirfi

Have you checked the component names and size dimensions? My Cinzia elite has hard to find sizes which make it difficult to feel confident with my parts choices.

It would also be good for anyone else looking for info on these.
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Old 01-18-21, 02:47 PM
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Took some measurements and pictures.

Shimano coaster brake

Seat post 25.8, already ordered a 400mm one

O.L.D. front hub is 91mm.

Head tube 22.2
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Old 01-18-21, 04:53 PM
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More pictures



Rear O.L.D. 110mm, sorta.
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Old 01-20-21, 07:55 AM
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Coaster brakes are fun, although how could they define it as an 'exclusiv de luxe' with no front hand brake...

Does the coaster kick in within 1/8 of a turn and will it lock up the rear wheel and then release cleanly? I find the grease tends to dry out in the hub, preventing the mechanism from working cleanly.

Here's one of my folders, from and in Poland:


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Old 01-20-21, 09:00 AM
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Front brake was semi taken off it seems. You can see the post on the fork.

Nice clean looking folder Geepig.
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Old 01-20-21, 01:57 PM
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Originally Posted by 3speedslow
Front brake was semi taken off it seems. You can see the post on the fork.

Nice clean looking folder Geepig.
Probably because this one was stored in a dry garage rather than under a porch
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Old 01-21-21, 07:49 PM
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Geepig,

That's a nice looking folder, is it made in Poland? Would like to see more of it.

Thank you.

One more measurement.

Cotter is 9mm

or is it 9.3?
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Old 01-22-21, 05:00 AM
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Originally Posted by mirfi
Geepig,

That's a nice looking folder, is it made in Poland? Would like to see more of it.
Nothing easier: Tigger and Blue



As to cotters, it has always been my understanding that we do not measure the cotter - the cotter measures us: do we or do we not have enough of what it takes to remove it?
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Old 02-07-21, 08:44 AM
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I had some time to work on Exclusiv.

I needed to adjust the bottom bracket as it was loose. Tried tightening the nut, didn't work. TIL (Today I Learned), one loosens the nut and uses the 'dust cover' to hand tighten the bearing race. Ended up cleaning and re-greasing.


With the nut loosened





Dust cover indentation fits into the race face

Dust cover indentation fits into the race face


Then decided to do the coaster brake.




Took it apart from drive side

I need pictures to put it back together

I been doing this for 50 years and still get anxious about re-assembly.


Altogether with the new seat post



BB and CB back together and on bike. Need to ride and re-adjust.

Suppose to snow today, maybe I will give it a spin tomorrow.
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Old 02-07-21, 11:46 AM
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You do good work! Thanks for the update. You’re kinda ambitious with that saddle!
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Old 02-08-21, 04:11 AM
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That is what she needed!

Was the outer cone on the chainwheel side removable or welded onto the shaft? The ones on my bike are welded, and since I realized that I have added cleaning and greasing of the BB to my standard service items.

I also see you have those lovely long domed nuts - only one of my bikes has had them and I wish I could find more.
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Old 02-08-21, 08:27 AM
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Originally Posted by Geepig
That is what she needed!

Was the outer cone on the chainwheel side removable or welded onto the shaft? The ones on my bike are welded, and since I realized that I have added cleaning and greasing of the BB to my standard service items.

I also see you have those lovely long domed nuts - only one of my bikes has had them and I wish I could find more.
Yes the outer cone was welded to the shaft at the chainwheel.
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Old 02-08-21, 08:53 AM
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Originally Posted by 3speedslow
You do good work! Thanks for the update. You’re kinda ambitious with that saddle!
3,

You are welcome. The seat post just arrived and had to see if it fit. I had one of those 'faux carbon fiber plastic seat that I been afraid to put my butt on' sitting around, so I put it on for show.

It needs hi-rise handlebars and I'm hoping to get one, plus another saddle and rear fender this weekend at the Westminster, Maryland Bicycle Swap meet. Been wanting to go to the meet for years but the date always clashed with other family events.

STOP SWAP AND SAVE | The East Coast's Largest Indoor Bicycle Swap And Consumer Bike Expo
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Old 02-10-21, 12:38 PM
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Nice weather, took it outside for a little ride up and down the street.



Nice February day to take advantage of.


The good;
It feels so good. Gearing just feels so right. I have not checked the gear inches but must be 60. Could accelerate and go up the hill next to my house.

The not so good;
The 'faux carbon fiber plastic seat that I been afraid to put my butt on' is not very comfortable. And the EVO Kalloy Seatpost 25.8mm x 400mm is flexing, probably not designed for my 260lbs.
Next is cleaning up kick stand, replacing pedals with folding pedals.

And so it continues.

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Old 02-11-21, 01:30 AM
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No snow, very nice February day indeed!

It doesn't look like there is much length to support the seat post in the frame, will you be looking for carbon or aluminium to replace it?

I use a seat from a child's bike, which gives just enough comfort for me without being bulky. I dream of a Brooks, but I cannot see that happening at all.
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Old 02-11-21, 04:55 PM
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Geepig,

The seatpost is 400mm(about 16 inches), so it's long and is in passed the minimum. It's 6061 Aluminum and one review says it bent, so I'll be careful.
https://www.amazon.com/EVO-Kalloy-25...pe=all_reviews

I did find an old nasty seat outside that I stripped off a trashed bike last month. It cleaned up nice. I'm sure it will be more comfortable.


EVO Kalloy 25.8 x 400
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Old 02-18-21, 09:00 AM
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Note; I counted gears, 44t crank, 18t cog. 45.7 gear inches. It feels more like 60. Then again I didn't ride it more than a block. Looks like a 14t cog is on the way.
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Old 02-18-21, 10:37 AM
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Originally Posted by mirfi
Note; I counted gears, 44t crank, 18t cog. 45.7 gear inches. It feels more like 60. Then again I didn't ride it more than a block. Looks like a 14t cog is on the way.
What sort of top speed are you looking to get out of this thing?
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Old 02-18-21, 11:06 AM
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3,

Like 10mph
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Old 02-19-21, 12:56 AM
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Originally Posted by mirfi
3,

Like 10mph
Sounds about right.

I love to travel, but mostly to see things along the way. Wifie is quite the sprinter with her Nordic walking, so speeds up to 10 mph are just about right to catch her up.
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Old 03-01-21, 06:30 PM
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I visited the local co-op (Velocipede Bike Project) and annoyed the volunteer for a couple hours. Came out with a Pletscher rack, some plastic fenders and nice looking metal 'strip' fenders for skinny 700c wheels.

The rack fit like it was made for it, just bolted right up. Using wing nuts for now.

The fender needed a couple holes drilled and an old fender stay. It needs to be trimmed, but not using the cut-off wheel in the house.



Skinny fender

Needs a haircut. If I was a metal guy I'd give it a flip up.
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