Porta-Silk, Porta-Cycle Folding Bicycle with "Praying Mantis" type, transversely spring-loaded handlebars. This is a unique bicycle indeed.

16" x 1 1/2" balloon tires. Three-speed, SSS (Shimano), fulcrum-thrown, Japanese hub. Rear-only "TOKYO", triple-chrome,heavy steel, drum brake; Chromed steel Westwood pattern front rim could only mount an old-fashioned, rod brake set up, and so, there are no front brakes at all. Made in Japan with obvious pride. Massive, cast & chromed wing nuts with substantial, tool box-type, folding latch, securing the breechblock mechanism for joining the bicycle sections.

It rides beautifully once the rider becomes accustomed to the spring-loaded, shock-absorbing, "floating" handlebars "flapping" up and down, as weight is applied, and isolating the rider's hands from front axle-transmitted shocks. The application of more weight can easily bottom the handlebar suspension when conditions call for enforced control,leaving the front end shock absorption task to the balloon tires alone. This strategy turns out to be very useful to the experienced rider as he can instinctively morph the bike from "joyride mode" to serious control in less than a second. The robust, right side, folding, cottered crank handsomely transitions from storage mode to ride mode with the aid of a single, wrench-tightened nut & bolt. Glossy, black laquer paint over red primer from the factory with a painted, sheet metal chain guard. One inch (25.4mm) seat post. Weight (with air in the tires): 27 pounds. Not a toy, this machine seems to enjoy going down the road nearly as much as I do when I'm on it. I smile whenever I ride this bike!