1975 Other Makes Hercules W-2000 Wankel

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1975 Hercules W-2000, Number 480000819, 31 Miles From Wikipedia: Hercules was a brand of motorcycle manufactured in Germany until 1992. The Hercules Company was founded in 1886 and began producing motorcycles in 1904. It was merged with Zweirad Union after being purchased by ZF Sachs in 1963. In the 1950s and 1960s Sachs was the largest European fabricator of two-stroke motorcycle engines. Many of these engines were used in the Hercules line of small motorcycles, scooters and mopeds. In 1974 Hercules became the first company to offer a Wankel-engined motorcycle for sale to the general public. A prototype was first shown in 1970 at the West Cologne Fall Motorcycle Show to a mixed reception, and the production bike was sold as a Hercules product except in the United Kingdom, where it was marketed as a DKW motorcycle. The W-2000 had a single-rotor air-cooled engine of 294cc that produced 23 hp, later increased to 32 hp. Cooling was by a large fan placed in front of the engine (and the slipstream breeze while riding) and engine lubrication was by manually adding oil to the fuel in the tank. In 1976 Hercules launched the W-2000 Injection in which engine lubrication was from a separate oil tank via a pump. It had 18-inch wheels, a front disc brake and a rear drum brake. According to a March 1976 review in Cycle World, the handling was good but the bike's low ground clearance limited its cornering ability. That review also declared the W-2000 to be a daily commuting bike, not sport motorcycle. Hercules introduced a rotary-powered dirt bike (the KC-30 GS Enduro) in May 1975, but the model failed to sell due to its high price ($2,900). Condition: This is as nice as you will find. This bike is a true survivor. It is a 31 mile original. Look at the photos and decide for yourself. One not this nice sold down under recently for 15K US. This is an EXCEPTIONAL example of a non oil injected bike. This bike has been properly stored as part of a large collection and will need only the most cursory service to make it road worthy. These bikes are very rare in the US and worldwide as total production was less than 1800. They are almost never seen in public and some in private collections are modified. The Wikipedia photograph W-2000 is a nice bike, but it is a custom. It is not even close to factory original. This is as close as you can get to stepping into a time machine and stepping back to 1975. The good news: It’s all good… just look at the photos. You will be hard pressed to find a better one anywhere in the world… period. The bad news: The bike will be sold on a bill of sale only. I cannot find the original title. Titles for old motorcycles can be obtained in most states, check with your DMV. You may also go to International title service and get a title through them. Terms: I will send a bill of sale as well as any paperwork that I have after payment has been made, via mail. I expect a 500.00 deposit through PayPal at the end of the auction, with the balance to be paid via cash or wire transfer. I will work with your shipper if you hire a motorcycle transporter. My schedule is fairly rigid, but I will do my best to make myself available for them to pickup. If you cannot come to my location personally to pick up your item, I ask that you make arraignments as soon as practical to get a shipper on task. I understand that folks are busy and will work with you, however, items not picked up within 30 days of auction end will begin to accrue storage fees. If you come to my location and find the vehicle is not as described, I will return your deposit with the exception of the EBay fees. Fair enough? I reserve the right to end the auction and sell locally. I will do my best to answer any questions. Thanks for looking!