1981 Hercules "Folda" Folding Bike Restoration Project

In this video I restore my 1981 Hercules "Folda" Folding Bike. This bike was made in Italy by Guizzardi, who at the end of the 1970s and the end of the folding bike boom in Italy, sold their frames to Raleigh Industries. Raleigh rebadged these frames and sold them under their "Hercules" brand.
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[@RichsRidesandRestorations]

This video was a long time coming. I had more than 10 hours of footage and wanted to try doing a single episode format instead of a multi-part series. What do you think of the result?

[@ashpunting]

Another good vintage bike was saved from the bike grave yard. Nice 1 Rich 👌

[@RichsRidesandRestorations]

Thanks! 😊

[@jimleitch4437]

I think this format is great a lot of information in an hour can't beat it 46:56

[@RichsRidesandRestorations]

Thanks!

[@LennyTim]

Great job!

[@RichsRidesandRestorations]

Thank you!

[@keefwales]

Hi Rich,I have a BSA 20,similar but not a folder,I can definitely recommend fitting a bigger back sprocket to improve your riding experience,you do have to fit a longer chain but it makes the bike much easier to use,good work,glad you broke the saddle,looked painful😊

[@RichsRidesandRestorations]

Thanks for watching! I took it out for a test ride at the weekend and definitely agree about putting a bigger rear cog on. Can just manage a short, shallow hill in 1st but 3rd is definitely only usable going downhill! 😅
The new saddle is a definite upgrade and super comfortable compared to the plastic one. I’m still puzzled about how it broke while left unattended. Maybe it was softened by the Evaporust?

[@GreenJimll]

Nice job! I bought an old 2nd hand folding bike for £50 in December 2019 and, whilst a different brand, it looks very similar to this design. Bizarrely it only came with a front brake - I had to ad a rear one myself.

[@RichsRidesandRestorations]

Thanks for watching! What brand was your folding bike?
Raleigh did their own version of the “U-bend” frame type folding bikes, but you can differentiate between them and the rebadged Italian frames by the tapered ends of the headtube and seat tubes and the sturdier, more integrated rear rack of the Guizzardis.

[@GreenJimll]

@@RichsRidesandRestorations It's branded "Chelsea", though I suspect that might be a bike shop badging.