New old 3-speed: Dahon Classic III

1988 Dahon Classic III

Meet a Dahon Classic III folding bike, fresh from Craigslist. I always like making bike finds of this sort; virtually unused time capsules that have spent decades in storage out of the elements. This bike could not have been ridden more than a couple of miles since new, some 28 years ago. It had a film of grease and dust, incidentally protecting the finish, as well as mostly dry bearing assemblies. A bit of time with some rags brought back its gleam, and a date with some tools and a tube of grease will take care of the bearings. It has a pristine Sturmey-Archer 3-speed AW hub, date stamped 87-8, for August of 1987.  I'll get to know the hub much better, as I rebuild it to ensure it is functioning optimally after a long period of disuse. Best of all, in short order there will be one more vintage 3-speed back on the road.

This bike isn't mine, as I found it for my mom who plans to bring it with her in a mini RV for wide ranging travels in the near future. However, I was surprised that at my height of about 74 inches, I could extend the saddle and handlebar enough to ride it comfortably. So could Big Sis, who at a foot and a half shorter than me, was an eager test rider.

I'm somewhat familiar with newer folding bikes, but was surprised at the quality of build and engineering incorporated in this bike, a design that originated nearly 40 years ago. Newer versions are lighter, faster to fold, and offer more features, but Dr. David Hon really nailed it when he envisioned this catalyst for intermodal transportation. If you're in the market for a folding bike and don't want to spend a lot of money, you can't do much better than an older Dahon like this, provided it's in good condition.

Below are some photos of the bike to dwell in the cloud in perpetuity for anyone searching out details of a vintage Dahon Classic III.

Ready to ride...

...and folded, for comparison.

Sturmey-Archer shifter in great shape.

Note the asymmetric design of the handlepost brace.

The Lee-Chi caliper brakes on chrome steel rims function remarkably well. 

Folding crank arm on the drive side. 

The head tube is just a squat cylinder. Wheels are 16-inch. Everything is stock original.

Serial number stamped on the top of the bottom bracket shell. Directions on how to interpret the date codes are here.

Shiny Sturmey-Archer AW 3-speed hub.

A little caster wheel folds down so that the bike can be rolled when folded.

Bottom of the headpost assembly, with a hinge that folds to the left side of the bike.

An astonishingly narrow front hub. I haven't yet measured it, but I've never seen one so narrow. 

Badge above the reflector on the rear fender.

Right side of the bike, when folded. Note the caster wheel.

Right side of the folded bike. 

View as folded from the rear, or front, depending on your philosophy.

Folded, from the top.

Approximately 56" tall rider.

Blurry pic of the new owner.