The Hercules W 200 (1974-1979), the smallest Wankel
The Hercules W2000 is the smallest example of the greatest failure of a perfect concept: the Wankel or rotary motor. The theoretical weight gain was not fully achieved: the Hercules W200 weighed more than, for example, a Yamaha RD 350. A good to very nice copy now costs between the 6000-9000 euro. And if the block is not in order, you should never let a possible purchase go through.
Many of the parts used outside of that block come from the shelves where other German engine makers from that time also bought. For example, the controls and the Bing vacuum carburetor are identical to those of BMW.
The beginning
In 1960 Sachs showed a great deal of interest in Felix's Wankel brainchild. Sachs started making Wankel engines in stationary execution for industrial purposes.
In 1970 a prototype motorcycle was made with the characteristic 'turbine' or 'vacuum cleaner' configuration. That power source was linked to the gearbox of a BMW R27. The block delivered at only 3600 rpm a torque of almost 30 Nm.
The next prototype was another prototype that now delivered 25 instead of 20 hp. The secondary drive was provided by a chain and the styling was adjusted.
Then, in 1973, a pre-production series of 50 pieces was made. The big difference with the earlier ones was that the engine was no longer a supporting part of the bicycle part, but that it was under a double cradle. There was a Grimeca disc at the front and the exhaust system was double. Suspension and damping came from Ceriani. The torque was now approximately 35 NM at 4500 rpm.
Stagger on the circuit and on studs
The reliability of the whole was proven by tottering on the Neurenbergring 50.000 kilometer. The pre-series machines were distributed through selected dealers to equally selected customers. The block was smooth and vibration-free. And when closing the gas, it braked the engine as much as a two-stroke engine: hardly or not at all.
Because Hercules / DKW had an impressive terrain history, an off-road version of the Wankel was also made. In 1975, three of them were bet on the ISDT on Man. The machines did not make it because of overheating problems, a thing they were already sensitive to on public roads.
The actual production started in 1976
Soon after, it became clear that the Wankel Hercules W2000 was not going to be a sales hit. In the eyes of the conservative motorcycling world, he was the odd one out. Performance was fair to good at best. Fuel consumption was not such an issue at the time, but was above the norm. The fact that - from 1976 onwards, there was no longer any need for a mixture of fuel to save the story either. the nearly 300 cc Wankel cost about as much as a 500 cc Japanese four-cylinder.
All in all, a few thousand of them have been sold.
Norton takes over
After the Wankel vane had been ironed at Hercules, it was - but certainly not in the context of 'good example does follow well - Wankel happening warmly embraced by Norton. That resulted in very nice, but unsaleable engines and a government contract for a couple of Norton staggers in a police outfit. Which they meanwhile popular. The owner of the three specimens that have been on sale in the Gelderse Dieren for years is almost certain.
In the meantime, in Boekelo
All in all, the German Wankel is still a nice one that is really made and really sold. And recently we saw another one at a Guzzi specialist in Boekelo. That was just there for a maintenance.