Please Note: All motorcycles as part of the 2nd Annual Bullpen Cycles x Iconic Motorbikes Auction will be available for physical inspection at Bullpen Cycles, 143 W. Palm Way, Edgewater Florida, during their Open House during Daytona Bikeweek, 10:00am to 4:00pm, Monday March 2, 2026 through Thursday March 5, 2026, or until the close of each auction. Other times available for inspection by appointment any time in February 2026. Call 484-788-9550 with any questions or to make an appointment.
In the early 70s, Suzuki, Norton, and DKW all brought rotary-powered bikes to the market, but DKW was the first. Outside of the UK, it was sold as the Hercules Wankel 2000 (W2000), and while the engine was unconventional, everything else was as you’d expect. Bike magazine called it “an outstanding machine in its own right”, even ignoring the novel powerplant. Now we know that rotary power barely went anywhere, but this was a real breakthrough in the industry at the time.
The engine was actually a single-rotor air-cooled snowmobile engine built by Fichtel & Sachs. Displacing 294cc, the engine produced 23 horsepower (although that was later increased to 32.) Cooling was taken care of by a large fan that you can see in front of the engine. Build quality was supposedly excellent, and the rotary engine barely yielded any vibration. It was supposedly very comfortable to ride, even up to the top speed of about 95 miles per hour.
This example is VIN: 480000602, Engine #: 7586574.
The odometer shows 3,865 miles.
“I bought this bike from Jess Stockwell at Rotary Recycle before he closed. He closed in 2014. Later I would buy his entire inventory of Hercules stuff but this was one of two bikes I purchased from him before then, probably around 2012. I bought it as a non-running project bike. So, it’s been well over ten years. The other bike I purchased then is long gone. My records show that one was titled/registered in Ohio in 1994. It is now Pennsylvania titled in my own personal name. This particular bike is one of a dozen project Wankel/Hercules that I still have. This exact same one was the one featured on my Bullpen Cycles YouTube Channel as I pulled it from its sleep. I did a number of repairs to it in the hopes of getting it running. I replaced the entire rear wheel because it was wrong. I put a new chain, I think also a countershaft sprocket, a neutral safety switch, rebuilt the carburetor, fixed the side-stand, put on a re-pop taillight, and probably more. I oiled the rotary chamber in the hopes that it might start. but I only managed to get it to sputter a few times. The e-start works, the lights work, everything is correct and normal (except the front turn signals are wrong) but compression is low, which happens especially when the bike has been sitting for as long as this one has. The seals need to float freely on springs in the rotor, but they often get gummed up, with carbon, rust, unburnt dirty oil, whatever. The seals did not free up, so the chamber will have to be opened, which is not hard to do. There are many YouTube videos on rebuilding these motors. The snowmobile guys have it down to a science. If it does not sell, I may plan to do it myself, but I have 13 more of these, so it does not matter to me which one goes or stays.
Continuing the story, new seals if they are needed are tough to come by if you need them, but don’t rush out to buy new seals. Measure them while the out and chamber is open and be careful not to break them. Often you just need to clean them, Or you can cannibalize seals from a used snowmobile motor. Other folks have sourced seals from overseas. Some say even Norton seals are the same, but I do not know.”
Maintenance:
“The disc brakes do not work. I did not rebuild them, They’re original Grimeca. Master cylinder kits are common to Moto Morini in the same era. Caliper and cylinder kits are available in Europe. The airbox intake rubber is shot. The tank has rust inside, exterior scratches, the chrome is pitted. The seat cover has tape over a tear. The CEV switch gear (turns, starter, kill, etc.) seems to be working (these are common to some Ducatis) The tires, well I call them “exempt” from disclosure because they’re older than 25 years! And probably a host more. This is a titled project bike. Manuals are available online, you can download books from the Hercules W2000 Facebook group. There are resources out there, including me, that can advise you, but this bike is being offered as-is. I just have too many to do them all.”
Modifications:
“The front turn signals are wrong, I think just the housings. The original signal housing are common to BMW. Its missing the rubber strap for the luggage rack and does not have its original tool kit.”
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Dunlop tires that have aged out.
The sale includes 1 ignition key.
PLACEHOLDER: PHOTO OF KEYS/EXTRAS
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album in the “Photos” tab for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
Currently located in Edgewater, Florida, this Hercules is offered on a clean Pennsylvania title. Have any W2000 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
Please Note: “This bike is titled in my personal name. Mileage is marked EXEMPT. I’m selling the bike here personally and not through the dealership. This bike is not part of the dealership inventory. Plan to pay sales tax to your home state. The title will be reassigned to the owner upon payment and pickup, i.e. no open titles.”
