Dahon Classic III
 

I have never been interested in folding bikes but I recently was given the Dahon Classic III. I have it in my shop with the shifter and cable removed soaking in power steering fluid hoping to free the cable. Is this bike worth fixing?
There is some surface rust and the bolts have some rust but not a lot. I put some polish on the wheels and they come out looking pretty good but I can tell the rust spots are still there, just smaller.
The wheels are true but the front wheel is not quite aligned with the back wheel. I am sure I can make it ridable so I intend to keep at it but I am not sure if I want to keep it. I'll ride it awhile before I decide.
It is a three speed internal shifter.
Well what do you think? :)
Steven

If it's worth it or not to fix up is really a matter of personal opinion. If you can find a use for a folder, and it won't cost you much to get it running, it might be worth the effort. BTW, try a brillo pad on the rust spots with a little soap and water.

Juan

When my father was ill for a long period of time, I used to reclaim, clean up, and use old bikes. One bike in particular, an old 1968 Raliegh Phillips, I absolutely liked so much after I lived with it for a while that I modified or selected my 3 new folding bikes to be like it. Perhaps after you live with your old rust bucket, you might grow to like it too.

There are people who fix up and ride these older Dahons. It should be fine for a short distance, get around town type of bike. If you like fixing up old bikes, it may be worth the time, but it's probably not worth spending a lot of money on replacement parts or upgrades. Of course, you have to decide where "a lot" starts.

More recent makes and models of folders, including the current Dahon models, have gone far beyond these older Dahons. If you decide you don't want to keep this one, you probably won't be able to sell it for all that much, even if it's fixed up nicely. That's another consideration when deciding how much time and money to invest in it.

re:Dahon classic III
 

I use mine almost daily to work and back (4 mile round trip, so pretty short). I would love to really test it on a long distance trip. Does anyone know how far someone has gone on one?

Thanks.

Rob in Oregon

Ask Keith St Johns in the Dahon forums. These older 16" Dahons are all he's ever ridden.

I have just also been given an old Dahon Classic the day after I bought one on Ebay. The ebay one is a sweet ride albeit a bit on the heavy side. The older is a bit rusty and rough around the edges, but I plan on giving it a good scrubbing with (Iread this on the net) diet coke and a crumpled piece of aluminuim foil. http://www.flickr.com/photos/vindica...7603812006903/

well ... fix it up and enjoy it dont spend a whole bunch of maoney into it, as they are not ( quite) yet collectors items..... The newer ones are tons better especially for longer rides... but sometimes not everything has to be absolutely perfect to make the owner proud and give him fun using the bike ( and thats what it is all about )

10 years ago anybody sane would have laughed into your face if you suggested that a raleigh 20 would fetch 300 plus dollars on ebay ( continuesly even)

Enjoy our bike :-)
Thor

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2276/...b5731144aa.jpg

Speaking of old Dahons, we saw this beautifully preserved Dahon IV at one of our Dahon group rides, owned by an elderly gentleman who was at the beach park for a leisurely ride.