Kingpin conundrum

[FrankCrank]

I know there are a few KP buffs in this parish, maybe someone could offer an opinion on this one.

Two are for sale on a well known auction site, one from the 70's......

.....and another listed as 1986

I'm curious as to the repositioning of the hinge, especially as the earlier version would give a better fold in half than the latter version.

 

[EltonFrog]

I don’t know why Dawes redesigned it, but I do know that the latter design is susceptible to bending. I was talking to a cycle shop owner a couple of years ago who stated that they returned the later folding Kingpins back to Dawes because it was a bad design.

 

[CXRAndy]

The first photo, the bikes down tube has better triangulation bracing. I would have thought that would be stronger is the pin assembly is in good order

 

[FrankCrank]

My other reaction to the redesign, apart from the fold being less compact, was to do with weight distribution.
On most bikes, about two thirds of the riders weight is at the rear, so having the hinge that far back seems to be just asking for failure.
Anyhows, thanks for the replies