Exploded Hub

I just picked up a Chiorda Safari folding bike, with I coaster hub and I believe 16″ wheels, and a leather seat.   Made in Italy, and has a decal from a Hudson,  NY bike shop.  I havent really done a lot of research on this bike yet but I think its from the early 70s.  I’ll try to track down more info when i get a chance.  I bought it off a Puerto Rican gentleman who resides in the south end.  He said it was his son’s bike, and i don’t know how old the son is, but amazingly I — all six foot plus of me) can ride this bike with ease.

vintage folder bikes make me really happy, I can  hardly explain it.  When was in Europe last summer I was fascinated with them and couldn’t stop photographing every one I saw.  Then one day I was walking through a flea market in Frankfurt and spotted a yellow one with 24″ wheels, made in ‘West Germany.'(photos here)  Had to have to it, and had a huge smile on my face every time I hopped on it.  But the time I got to Prague I knew it that schlepping it from city to city, much less flying it home, would be impractical, so I left it with a buddy over there for him to enjoy.

Ever since I let go of that Kalkoff, there’s been, well, a void in my life.   UNTIL NOW!!  Yesterday I brought my mom into the bike shop and we were strolling thru the streets of the south end (which by the way is like a really nice historic neighborhood. like the back bay, but bigger.  that was news to me), when I spotted in the distance in front of a public housing development an unexceptional kid’s bike with a ‘for sale’ sign on it. But next to this bike, was another bike, and for a moment I thought I saw a Brooks saddle, so went over to get a closer look, and  it wasnt Brooks, but when I saw the bike … my heart skipped a beat.  a vintage folder, with an integrated rear rack, and looking more closely, made in Italy.  The resident came out of his home and said that bike wasnt for sale, but he would check with his son.  I gave him my number, walked away, and got a call back 10 minutes later.  The sale was good to go.

Today I came back with the cash during my lunch break, and then I rode it up the street back to the shop, and I came in the shop grinning and sort of making pleasure-induced grunting noises; “guys, look!  yeah!?! right? huh?”  Another mechanic we have, who is always being hilarious without intending to, looks up, nonplussed, and says with sincerity, “oh you found it in the trash?”

It needs an overhaul, and maybe i’ll think of something more creative to dowith too, but I’m pretty happy with it as it is.. It will be project #3 behind getting an early 80s Ross Gran Tour up and running as my primary commuter, as well as overhauling Swedish-made Crescent I picked up last month as a rain bike.  So I may not get to it for a while.  but man is it going to be sweet to bomb down Mass Ave on this.