Difference between revisions of "Hercules"

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Having built bicycles for many years, Germany's '''Hercules''' produced its first motorbike in 1904.  Following the Second World War, Hercules concentrated on smaller [[two-stroke]]s with engines from [[Sachs]].  The firm began to build up a large range of bikes during the 1950s, notable among them its first twin-cylinder model, the 318 (which oddly enough featured a 247cc engine).  The 318 was billed at being a luxury tourer, and produced 12 bhp.   
Having built bicycles for many years, Germany's '''Hercules''' produced its first motorbike in 1904.  Following the Second World War, Hercules concentrated on smaller [[two-stroke]]s with engines from [[Sachs]].  The firm began to build up a large range of bikes during the 1950s, notable among them its first twin-cylinder model, the 318 (which oddly enough featured a 247cc engine).  The 318 was billed at being a luxury tourer, and produced 12 bhp.   


In 1969 [[Sachs]] took control of the firm and the Hercules name stayed, most notably used in association with the W2000 of the mid 1970s  - The world's first commercially built Wankel rotary engined motorcycle. Hercules took on a very Japanese-look in appearance looking much like the venerable [[Honda CB750K]] from forks to fuel tank and seat. Its 294cc or 882cc (depending on how you measure) motor produced a claimed 27 bhp at 6,500 rpm and gave a top speed of almost 90 mph.  But the rotary, which was marketed under the [[DKW]] brand in Britain, did not sell well, and recent production with the marquee has been limited to two-stroke motorcycles smaller than 100cc. 
==Models==
*[[Hercules W2000]]


==1976==
[[Image:1976-Hercules-W2000-Red-6891-0.jpg|left|thumb|1976 Hercules W2000 in Red]][[Image:1976-Hercules-W2000-Red-6891-1.jpg|left|thumb|1976 Hercules W2000 in Red]][[Image:1976-Hercules-W2000-Red-6891-2.jpg|left|thumb|1976 Hercules W2000 in Red]][[Image:1976-Hercules-W2000-Red-6891-3.jpg|left|thumb|1976 Hercules W2000 in Red]]
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[[Category:Motorcycle manufacturers]]
[[Category:Motorcycle manufacturers]]

Revision as of 16:12, 4 July 2010

1974 Hercules W2000

Having built bicycles for many years, Germany's Hercules produced its first motorbike in 1904. Following the Second World War, Hercules concentrated on smaller two-strokes with engines from Sachs. The firm began to build up a large range of bikes during the 1950s, notable among them its first twin-cylinder model, the 318 (which oddly enough featured a 247cc engine). The 318 was billed at being a luxury tourer, and produced 12 bhp.

Models

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