10-18-17 Update: And just like that, this bike has sold!
10-18-17 Update: 20 months later, reader Bob K notes that this bike is back up for sale with a $100 discount. It looks like since the last feature, the bearings (I’m assuming wheel?) have been repacked. Everything works and it comes with the original air pump. Current mileage is 5,406. You can find it here on Craigslist in Denver, Colorado for $1,900.
In the US, Hercules is probably best known as the first company to sell a Wankel-engined bike to the public – the Wankel 2000. The firm started building bikes in 1904 and was sold to ZF Sachs in 1963, eventually becoming part of the Zweirad Union. As you could probably guess, before the ’63 sale, Hercules wasn’t doing particularly well in the market. Around this time, they were using Sachs two-stroke engines, which presumably had something to do with the sale itself. Here’s one of those small two-stroke bikes, the Hercules K100. Can you guess what the displacement is?
Impressively, this example (VIN: 1678639) is all original and the engine works as it should. The 2-stroke, 100cc engine is paired with a 3 speed twist-grip transmission and the seller will help you with shipping by crating and taking it to a local transportation depot for free.
Find this Hercules K-100 for sale in Longmont, Colorado for $2,000 here on Craigslist.
This bike-uriousity brought to you by Bob K and Tom S!