Viva La Contortionista!
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member

Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,667
Likes: 2,411
From: Colorado Springs, CO
Bikes: 2015 Charge Plug, 2007 Dahon Boardwalk, 1997 Specialized Rockhopper, 1984 Nishiki International, 2006 Felt F65, 1989 Dahon Getaway V
Viva La Contortionista!
Just bought my first folder: a 2007 Dahon Boardwalk for $100 bucks. Seldom used, garage stored. Very little wear, very little tear. Nothing loose. Before I can ride it I have to clean and repack the rear bearings, replace a few rear spokes, one tire, and probably the tubes. Everything else looks and feels like new!
This is much less traumatic than when I joined the 50+ forum.
This is much less traumatic than when I joined the 50+ forum.
#3
55+ Club,...


Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 4,838
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From: Somewhere in New York, NY
Bikes: 9+,...
#6
Palmer

Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,169
Likes: 2,275
From: Parts Unknown
Bikes: Mike Melton custom, Alex Moulton AM, Dahon Curl
Dahon Boardwalk owner's rally:

Fun fact: The Boardwalk is Dahon's longest produced model, introduced in 2000. (There have been some spec upgrades along the way.)

Fun fact: The Boardwalk is Dahon's longest produced model, introduced in 2000. (There have been some spec upgrades along the way.)
#9
Thread Starter
Senior Member

Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,667
Likes: 2,411
From: Colorado Springs, CO
Bikes: 2015 Charge Plug, 2007 Dahon Boardwalk, 1997 Specialized Rockhopper, 1984 Nishiki International, 2006 Felt F65, 1989 Dahon Getaway V
Thanks, all! Update. Rear hub trashed. Unbelievably the local bike co-op had three 20-inch 7-speed wheels. Bought the best one for only $20! Rear v-brakes need cleaning and/or replacing, again, a cheap co-op fix. My concern now is that the derailer hanger is loose. What I'm thinking is the previous owner exceeded the weight limit and the rear hub seized. spokes broke and the derailer hanger got yanked. I hope it's not stripped.
After I get it running I will rebuild or replace the original wheel, get a front fender, other accesories and...as my other bikes will tell you, it never stops.
Here's the bike!

After I get it running I will rebuild or replace the original wheel, get a front fender, other accesories and...as my other bikes will tell you, it never stops.
Here's the bike!

Last edited by BobbyG; 06-08-21 at 08:58 AM.
#10
Palmer

Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,169
Likes: 2,275
From: Parts Unknown
Bikes: Mike Melton custom, Alex Moulton AM, Dahon Curl
Careful!
I see the occasional Boardwalk on the 'net that's optimized for touring, gran fondos or 'go fast'. Front derailleurs with dual and triple chainwheels, drop bars, cow horn bars, Brooks saddles, carbon fiber rims... The sky, as they say, is the limit.
One of the few proprietary parts on the Boardwalk in the rear derailleur, designed to stay tucked up and not stick out. There's nothing wrong with it, but sometimes a fella will get a wild hair to replace it. To mount a standard rear derailleur, you'll need an obscure but available part like this:
I see the occasional Boardwalk on the 'net that's optimized for touring, gran fondos or 'go fast'. Front derailleurs with dual and triple chainwheels, drop bars, cow horn bars, Brooks saddles, carbon fiber rims... The sky, as they say, is the limit.One of the few proprietary parts on the Boardwalk in the rear derailleur, designed to stay tucked up and not stick out. There's nothing wrong with it, but sometimes a fella will get a wild hair to replace it. To mount a standard rear derailleur, you'll need an obscure but available part like this:
#11
I be that fella that had a wild hair! Great upgrade! Are you sure about the year for your Dahon? It looks like mine and it is much newer then 07.
Ive changed mine up to 9 speed but now can’t remember what speed I finished up with.
They are great bikes and you, got a great deal.
Ive changed mine up to 9 speed but now can’t remember what speed I finished up with.
They are great bikes and you, got a great deal.
#13
Palmer

Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,169
Likes: 2,275
From: Parts Unknown
Bikes: Mike Melton custom, Alex Moulton AM, Dahon Curl
In 2000 the Boardwalk was fabricated from HiTen steel and had stamped sheet metal f/r dropouts. These days, the Boardwalk looks mostly the same, but is fabricated from higher strength chromoly steel and has forged f/r dropouts. The latches have been upgraded and the more modern Boardwalks have a height adjustable handlepost. Can't remember (if I ever knew) what year these changes happened.
#15
Thread Starter
Senior Member

Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,667
Likes: 2,411
From: Colorado Springs, CO
Bikes: 2015 Charge Plug, 2007 Dahon Boardwalk, 1997 Specialized Rockhopper, 1984 Nishiki International, 2006 Felt F65, 1989 Dahon Getaway V
Success!
Replaced the shifter cable and housing and adjusted the derailer and it shifts...all 7 gears! The front brake is perfect but the plastic on the rear v-brakes is trashed so braking is only so-so there. I rode around the block which includes a steep colorado springs hill and low gear is low enough. I didn't try for top speed till I get the rear brake fixed. I'm always surprised when my shade-tree tinkering works. There will be fine tuning and upgrades down the road, and I'm gonna relish pedaling to each one!
Last edited by BobbyG; 06-08-21 at 09:00 AM.
#17
I love that deep green our Boardwalks have! Does your frame have the clear paint protection patches still? They stop the cables from wearing patches in the tubes and head tubes.
Cheers!
Cheers!
#19
Thread Starter
Senior Member

Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,667
Likes: 2,411
From: Colorado Springs, CO
Bikes: 2015 Charge Plug, 2007 Dahon Boardwalk, 1997 Specialized Rockhopper, 1984 Nishiki International, 2006 Felt F65, 1989 Dahon Getaway V
#20






