1978 Hercules Wankel 2000 Rotary

Please kindly note that this motorbike will be available for viewing by prior appointment in Dortmund: please contact [email protected] for booking.

Although it would eventually prove a technological blind alley, the rotary engine seemed full of promise for automotive applications in the early 1970s. Three major motorcycle manufacturers released models using rotary engines: Suzuki, Norton and DKW. Introduced to the UK market in 1973, the latter's offering was the W2000 (marketed as the Hercules Wankel 2000 elsewhere), which was powered by a single-rotor Fichtel & Sachs snowmobile engine displacing 294cc. This fan-cooled unit drove via a six-speed transmission and was suspended from a tubular spine frame, while the rest of the cycle parts were entirely conventional for the time. It goes without saying that its rotary engine was vibration-less, but the little W2000 possessed other virtues: excellent build quality, superb handling, BMW-like rider comfort, and the convenience of an electric starter. Top speed was around 95mph. "But even ignoring the novelty value of the unconventional power unit, it's an outstanding machine in its own right," declared Bike magazine.

Currently displaying a total of 5,516 kilometres on the odometer, this Hercules rotary comes with a 2001 purchase receipt; German Fahrzeugbrief (registration document); copy instruction manual; and a copy of Das Motorrad magazine featuring the model. The engine turns over.
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