Hercules Werke AG, Nurnberg, Germany The German Hercules company was a completely separate bicycle and motorcycle manufacturer, with only the name in common with its British counterpart. They made bicycles, motorcycles, cyclemotors, mopeds, scooters, and cars.
Hercules 1937 MF100 Sachs Photo by History of the Marque In 1886 Carl Marschtz founded a company to build bicycles, and adopted the company name Hercules in 1900. The first motor bicycles were produced in 1904, most if not all powered by Fafnir engines. Production did not continue for long, and the company subsequently built, until 1928, trucks. Sachs was the largest manufacturer of two-stroke motorcycle engines in Europe during the fifties, sixties and seventies.
These engines were used by many motorcycle manufacturers, Hercules being the most important of them. In the late 1950s Hercules was absorbed by the Sachs group and Hercules motorcycles were sold under the Sachs or DKW brand in some countries, Australia for instance, and as in the UK in the 1950s. Perhaps the most interesting bike Hercules built was the W 2000, sold in some markets as the DKW W 2000. This was the first production motorcycle with a Sachs Wankel rotary engine. It produced 27hp. Hercules also built the Lastenroller scooter sidecar combination powered by a 48cc Fichtel & Sachs engine.
Their machines were rebadged for the UK market as Prior Viscount by Industria Ltd of London, and from there made their way to other Commonwealth and European countries including Portugal and Switzerland. Some Hercules machines were fitted with engines. Hercules models include: 1930s. Sun Jan 25 2015 campamentozirahuen at gmail.com Hercules in Mexico nurnemberg Hercules 212 I have a motorcycle Hercules 1951 and I want to restore it, do you have de motor and parts and send to Mexico? Mexico Mon Jan 05 2015 markotohver at hotmail.com Some 1930 Jap engine parts required.
JAP 300CC Hello and Happy New Year! I have in Germany built motorcycle Nurnberger Hercules-Werke AG with a JAP engine, which requires some spare parts.
JAP engine is 300CC (298) No:86711 A/W, manufactured 1930 in London. Can you help me with finding certain engine parts? I need to find new: magneto, carburettor, piston with rings and the cylinder with head. And one more question: how much should be oil level in this engine?
With kindest regards and thanks for advance. Marko Tohver London Sat Nov 09 2013 cswade418gmail.com Paint red,blue Hercules J Be Looking for information on red, blue and black colors Newark, Ohio Mon Oct 28 2013 stephb629gmail.com 1967 K80S Hercules Hercules K 80 S Trying to find any information I can as far as history and value of my Hercules K 80 S 1967 PA Sat Sep 07 2013 buntingmiestergmail.com hercules mo. K J-Jbe/parts-info hercules K would like to find parts and info on hercules model k j-jbe motorcycles/scooter. I have recently bought one in non-running condition, I think it is a late 50's model nc. Thu Jul 26 2012 chrssoderberg yahoo.com hercules motorcycle id hercules? Can anyone help with model and size, this bike is a 1967, next to typ it says 698? Homosassa fl Tue Oct 04 2011 bikermike188comcast.net service manual for a hercules 50m4 with sachs motor hercules 50m4 I am searching for a service manual for the hercules 50m4 moped with sachs motor pennsylvania.
Try this page: Mon May 30 2011 peabodl at comcast.net Moped for sale Hercules P1 Looking to sell. 1973 made in W Germany. ILLinois Mon Apr 25 2011 erbangonline.no For sale Herkules K 125 BW 1972 Ex. German military bike in very good condition. Runs perfectly, used in summertime only.
Norway, near Oslo Sun Mar 06 2011 scott-robinsonlive.ca barn find complete bike herculese w2000 this bike is complete it's a 78 w2000 been in storage for 27 years anybody know what its worth?? Ontario canada Fri Nov 12 2010 migueldiazfredesgmaildot com REPUESTO HERCULES K 175 NECESITO URGENTE BOBINA CHILE.
Wed Oct 20 2010 pwichmannoptonline.net For Sale Hercules K50 I have two K50s for sale. One 1965 and one 1966. The 65 has cafe handlebars. The 66 is stock both are missing tail light.
The 66 may need seals? The 65 runs well the 66 quits after a minute or two. Best offer for both bikes I have shipped bikes all over the world. Contact Paul Thanks for your page Sheldon New York Wed Aug 25 2010 jose.batista.roqueclix.pt Motorcycle Hercules jose Roque Would like to buy a hercules k50 RX dof 1971 Lisbo Portugese Sun Aug 15 2010 marc.descamps9wanadoo.fr recherche pieces hercules sachs 250 mc hercules sachs mc 250 1978 recherche pieces sachs hercules 250 mc 1978 resort de kik plaques laterales et phare avant pas de calais Sat Aug 07 2010 dennisusafryahoodot com hercules moped M4 w/sachs 505/1 eng Balboa looking for parts,covers for carb,and electrical,also breaks,part to hold chain off frame.kick stand. Tonawanda,NY Sat May 08 2010 campbellman-43701yahoodot com looking for 1958 sachs 100 engine for a JBE-K Hercules JBE- K 100 looking for 1958 sachs 100 engine for a JBE-K & wondering how much such item is worth( engine) Fri Apr 09 2010 jaderuechelnetnet.net k 100 j-be hercules k 100 Looking for any info on it green bay, wisconsin. Fri Jan 22 2010 oldriver66 at hotmaildot com I have this bike and want to know how much it worth hercules 1957 I have this bike perfect working condition mexico Fri Apr 23 2010 rsstill1967yahoodot com Want to sell hercules hercules I have 2 and am looking to sell but dont know the worth. One in good shape one in shipping crate Iowa Tue Mar 02 2010 miketsmfidot com value hercules 1958 k100 I am interested in the value of this bike.
My dad bought it new and Now We would like to know how to find the value Thank you, Mike. Mon Jul 28 2008 marsullyg at msndot com moped hercules hercules m4 I have this beatiful hercules m4 german moped with peddles,and a sach motor, but i have key foe it,n,what kind of gas or mixer I can try, I would like to have the manual for it, can you give some feed about this beaty. nj Fri Aug 22 2008 title, vin hercules m4 need help, on to get a vin or title both nj Fri Jun 13 2008 discoverer-25 at yahoodot com Tail light lens needed Hercules 1937 Liliput 98 I need only a tail light lens to make my 1937 Liliput 98 rideable. Any help appreciated. SC Wed Feb 13 2008 cvidal80 at msndot com HERCULES 175 50th k175? Carlos Vidal Chile, Santiago i just bought a bike wich its supossed to be an hercules k175. But to me seems more like 313 to 317, anyway i can find a picture with exactly the same model i need help.
IMG/IMG IMGIMGi wanna know where can i buy pieces and accesories thanx and help me please Santiago de Chile Mon Jan 28 2008 davidnielsen16 at hotmaildot com Piston reqd. Hercules 1973 175c.c. Sachs Looking for a piston for a 1973 Hercules with a 175c.c. Sachs engine it is marked as 59.713 Penticton, Canada Tue Jan 22 2008 5.0fan at live.ca decals hercules w2000 looking for w2000 decals for side covers left and right or any decals we can find ontario canada Try here.
Thu Jan 24 2008 miguelfa at rieder.net.py Tech advise Hercules R 200 I have an Hercules R 200 from 1959, some parts from the Magneto are missing and I wonder if you can help me to find Technical advise and spare parts Paraguay Wed Oct 24 2007 dmddmd1 at netzerodot com Tail light lens and chain guard parts Hercules K100, 1958 I need to find a few parts to finish restoring my 1958 Hercules K100 motorcycle. Any help is greatly appreciated. Florida Wed Oct 17 2007 rksmith46 at hotmaildot com rectifier, hercules jbe, sachs i am helping restore a jbe. Im doing the wiring and need to know how to tell which side of the rectifier is pos.
And which is neg., and if it makes any difference which way i hook it up. I have a factory wiring diagram, so i know where the wires go. The rectif is a square flat metal with a stud thru the center, and a wire on either side. It has to do with the magneto.
Thanks, bob Mon Sep 24 2007 pyrosqueek1999 at yahoodot com i want to repare my sachs 1964 herculese if any one has some info. On where to get a book or something to help me get it running agen let me know.
Try the page of resources for Mon Sep 24 2007 reblues at yahoodot com Hercules J be k100 Hi: Could you inform me of any Hercules clubs or dealers in th U.S. I would like to sell mine. Thanks, Veronica Miami Florida.
Fri Sep 14 2007 buckmazter420 at aoldot com Old Hercules I dont know what the model is for this hrcules. I have names and letters but I cannot find another bike similar to MI, USA, Stevensville Fri Sep 14 2007 buckmazter420 at aoldot com Old Hercules Hercules??? I dont know what the model is for this hercules. I have names and letters but I cannot find another bike similar to MI, USA, Stevensville Thu Aug 02 2007 dkb5 at netzerodot com Hercules Parts Availability J-Be Model K I have a 1958 100 cc Hercules. I am in need of parts sources. The motorcycle is a J-Be model K and has a three speed transmission shifted with the left hand grip. Any and all help is greatly appreciated.
Ohio Tue Jul 17 2007 retliredamigo at hotmaildot com Information on 1976 Hercules 330 1976 Hercules 330 Motor driven cycle Like to know where can get parts and manual on how it operates. Was given it needing work. Thanks for everthing. Tue May 15 2007 phantisea at aoldot com I need some info please!!!! 1965 sachs hercules k50?
Hi all I need some info reguarding a small motorcycle i have. It was made in 1965 and the name sachs appears on it as well as hercules prior and k50 5gears is printed on it. I was wondering where i can get info and diagrams for it that are in english? Are there any collectors in the us that are willing to help out? Any info I can get will be appreciated.It is an interesting style of bike and id like to tinker around with it. THANKS SO MUCH SUSAN NJ Tue May 08 2007 marcom2987 at yahoodot com Hercules KBE Model K Sachs 125 S I recently purchased a couple old bikes- one of which is a: Hercules Model K J Be The plate on the engine says: Fichtel Sachs 7HP Sachs 125S Serial/Model # of 327794. I need some information on this bike and would like to know how rare, and what this bike is worth.
Any information you may have will help. Sun Apr 29 2007 americobor-31 at hotmaildot com sachs k125s 1974 modelo k125s gostaria de saber se tem peras e como me porem aqui em portugal pois tenho uma e gostaria de vela a andar falta-me essencialmente o conta kilm.e rotannes escape e um motor ou cambota. Maia, porto Wed Apr 11 2007 ericpochet at skynet.be Recherche de pieces Hercules KBW Je suis a la recherche de pieces pour ma k125bw de 1979,pouvez vous m'aider dans la recherche de sites ou d'adresses en Belgique Merci de votre collaboration Belgique Tue Jan 23 2007 jose.baptista.roque at bancobpi.pt Hercules K 50RX 1971 Can you informe how can i get a model like those above, obviously a used one? Lisbon Sat Dec 02 2006 tom.holthe at monet.no Engine Sachs 50s Is there anyone out there that can tell me about a hercules motorbike with a 50ccm engine sachs type 50s with not 5 but 6 level gears. What is this engine called on Hercules.
Is it possible to buy one today. Wed Nov 15 2006 jayincanada at hotmaildot com W2000 Wankel 99% all there, needs TLC & restoration.
Any ideas on where to find a buyer? Also have a spare engine and box of seperate parts. Calgary, Canada Thu Nov 09 2006 robinmiller8644 at sbcglobal.net moped hercules hello.
I bought my son a used moped last week, which is not running. I was told it needed a pitcock? The only # I could find is DECEMBFR1976.can you please help us.thank you Sat Oct 07 2006 Frank1946 at aoldot com For Sale 1978 Hercules 175 Enduro Original owner, 600 miles on speedo, mint, all pieces original, in garage for 30 years now.
Colorado Sun Sep 03 2006 gerritkranenberg at kpn-officedsl.nl F&R Fenders N.O.S. Sachs (hercules) MC 250 1978 Hello, I am looking for my MC 250 Sachs 5 speed for 2 n.o.s. Original bleu mudguards f&r Falk made. Who can help!!
NL 6951 Dieren Sat Aug 05 2006 jokeboy23 at hotmaildot com parts Hecules (older model) I need the 17 pt. Sprocket for the chain.
Is it possible to get this part? Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Tue Apr 18 2006 ptmoore at charter.net Hercules 103s I have a 1966 Hercules 103s. I didn't see a photo of one on your site.
These cycles are rare in the USA. What is one worth in Europe? I did have it running but it ihas points / spark issues. Thanks SC, USA Please try this page for valuations: Wed Apr 05 2006 madmechanic71 at hotmaildot com HELP!! 78' Hercules GS 175 Hi, i have a hercules enduro and i really like this old bike because its unique, all of my buddies have honda's and Yamaha's and here i am with this vintage Hercules. I am in desperate need of a kick starter gear, any help will be GREATLY appreciated.
Any leads to parts, contact me any time at 1-913-731-1305, thanks, Clint Kansas Sat Mar 04 2006 mtjoe at montanasky.net Correction: Hercules K103s I would be interested in selling my very new looking beleived to be 68 Hercules (almost museum quality) bike. Call Joe 406-892-7210 US Montana MT Sat Mar 04 2006 Hercules bike I own a beautiful Hercules (no restoration needed). I acquired the bike several years ago. I only collect old Yamahas flattracks. Will sell this nice bike.
Joe 406-892-7210 MT Mon Feb 13 2006 si2shu at eurociber.es intake and exhaust reversed I've remember seeing one picture of an Hercules engine with the carburator in the upper part of the cilinder and the exhaust downwards it. It is a two stroke engine? How does it work? How does control the time whe the mixture is going to the chamber and the time to let the gases go out?
Thank you very much innadvance. Madrid Cheap to good home! Jan 27th 2005 kwelsh at augusthomedot com wrote. I've searched for parts for that bike for 30 years and have never turned up anything. I've had lots of leads but all have been dead ends.
I'd just like to sell it or trade it now. The engine is mostly there, but totally disassembled. There's no pipe, no cables, but the frame's in great shape. The tank has a couple little dents in it but otherwise in good shape. It's a 1960 125 3 speed JB-E model K. Kent Welsh Des Moines, Iowa Fri Jan 13 2006 pedrohechtxela at hotmaildot com i need info i need info about a sach/hercules 1959 please send me info gotta restore it Nov 20th 2005 Perhaps a little late that I encountered your message about the Hercules you got from your father.
I bought a Hercules K103S in 1967 and had it for about 2 1/2 years. As you already mentioned, it had 4 gears and 8.2 hp. In that time, there were more small motorcycles of the sort, like the Zundapp KS100, which had the same amout of hp and gears. It costed me 1.495,- Dutch Florins.
In Euro's that would be about 775,- I travelled daily from IJsselstein to The Hague (130 km v.v.) and it almost never let me down, which was quite good in those days. Only two times the Hercules quitted service: once the ignition timing had gone wrong, the sparkplug overheated and I made the mistake by not first turning it in by hand. I molested the thread, so the sparkplug punched out. A local blacksmith in the neighbourhood of where it happened fixed it temporarely, so I could get to work. The day after I had a helicoil turned in, which was a very good solution.
The sparkplugs were not the usual 14 mm types, but 18 mm. That kind of sparkplugs were also fitted in DKW 2-stroke cars.
In that time I was engaged to the wife I'm still married with and we went 2 times on the Hercules on holidays in Switzerland (2.000 kms v.v. Per holiday with local trips ). For that occasion I mounted high handlebars; after the holidays the original one was set back. I also remember that when the ignition timing had gone wrong, the bike drove backwards when I wanted to drive away after kicking it on.
In Switzerland some spokes in the rear wheel broke, which I had fixed in Spiess near the 'Thuner See' (Lake of Thun). After being returned in the Netherlands, I had all spokes replaced by those that were used in a Puch 250 SGS motorcycle. That bike also had 16' wheels.
For that purpose, all the wholes had to be drilled out as those spokes were considerately thicker. The Hercules steered and braked very well. But as I was young and eager in those days, I wanted something new and bought a Puch M125. A nice little bike, about 4 hp more, but it couldn't satisfy me in the way the Hercules did. All that is nearly 40 years ago; many motorcycles came and nowadays I own a retro styled Kawasaki W650 for four years now.
The first time I own a motorcycle that I don't want to trade in after two years. Last time I searched for a Hercules K103S and I found one in my own country. Sadly enough, the owner of the shop died some time before, and his heirs do not seem to have inherate his skills and knowledge of classic motorcycles. They wanted Euro 5.000,- (fivethousand). Of course most of us want to get rich easy, but in this case I begrudged them.
(www.classicmotors.nl) In the end I don't think I have told you something essentially new, but hopefully the story adds something to your Hercules experience. With much regards, Ron Wimmers, IJsselstein, Netherlands Sat Nov 19 2005 qelrudyq at hotmaildot com Hercules Moped I think I have a 1984 Zweirad Schieler moped. I'm trying to restore it.Here is all info I can see: Front tag-TYP;M2-504.Art;016. FAHRGESTELL, 504217168, Zul-GES-Gew; 150KG. Tires-Tube Type-Made in Australia 120X2.251.
2&1/4-16 moped.Max load 210LBS. I thinkl it is 3 speed. Can you refer me to any source who might have parts? Repair manual/anything; Etc. Thanks, old man Rudy My daughter, Rozanne, had the moped in her antique shop for years. I offered to try to restore it.
I asked her for photos due to my computer's shaky on/off again status. There is considerable information on these machines at Rudy, mostly in German.
Also, there are many references to Sachs, Hercules and mopeds in - try searching on each of those terms. Sachs-Hercules-Prima-3S 1984 image in the gallery Sun Oct 02 2005 pam-walsh2001 at yahoodot com J-be hercules Need parts for a 1959 J-be hercules k100.
Toolboxs,fenders, etc. Thanks, John Walsh Mon Aug 29 2005 joesparano at earthlink.net 1st. Dealer for Hercules Hi: I was the first U.S. Dealer for Hercules in the U.S.A. My name is Joseph A.
Sparano and my cycle shop was New Castle Cycle in New Castle PA. March 23, 2000 Heres a pic of my 1977 GS 250 Hercules as an ice racer, im hoping to turn it back into an enduro soon. Bupkas1 at aoldot com March 6, 2000 Hello folks, I own 2 Hercules motorcycles KW 125 BM. See February 17, 2000 bonjour je suis un proprietaire de velo-moteur hercule 49,9 cc et j'aimerais savoir si on peut obtenir de l'information et schema du moteur et de l'embrayage - LUC PICARD - picardl at progression.net From Sheldon: This is the best I can do on translating this: Hello. I am an owner of bicycle-engine Hercules 49,9 DC and I would like to know if anyone has information or a diagram of the engine and clutch - LUC PICARD - picardl at progression.net This is an English Hercules moped, not a Sachs. Ed February 14, 2000 I own a 1960 Fichtel & Sachs Hercules 125 that I bought at a garage sale when I was 10 years old. That was 31 years ago, I have tried several times to find out about this bike, (as it is very much a basket case) and had little luck so far.
The frame and leading link front forks are in excellent shape, the engine has been completely dismantled and has been seized at some point in its past. I'm more of dirt bike enthusiast, but I'd love to see this thing restored if possible, if anyone can give me any information about it or directions to someone who can I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you in advance It was encouraging to find your site. Kent Welsh e-mail: Kwelsh at augusthomedot com Posted to the February 2, 2000 re: Hercules GS 250. See Here is a link that will be useful for Hercules and Sachs fans: It's the website of a Hercules club (english language) Hartmut Schouwer - Schouwer at t-online.de November 01, 1999 I have a 125 cc bike and I'm searching for an electric diagram for it. It's a Sachs engine, from the Dutch army.
See October 27, 1999 I have a 1958 Hercules J-Be that my dad bought new in East Lansing Michigan. See Information needed for Sachs Gruppe An 89 scooter built in west Germany by Nurnberger Hercules - Wreck Gmbh - SCSDavid at aoldot com December 15, 1998 Sachs produced a large number of 7 speed enduro bikes in the mid to late 1970s sold under the Hercules name in the U.S.
I have had the priviledge to own several of these since 1980. I have many hundreds of hours of trouble free off roading, including some motocross use, on my first Hercules 250. I still have three of them at this time.
A little known fact is that Sachs built a small number of motocross models based on the 7 speed engine, but with a 5 speed gearbox instead. These were made in very small quantities and sold under the Sachs name in late 1978 to early 1979. They have a little over 10' of suspension travel front and rear. The color was blue with a silver frame. Sachs saw fit to equip them with a floating rear brake, light weight frame, and a large still air box which are some of the differences that set them apart from the enduro models. As a matter of fact, the motocross bike is an entirely different bike. After a fifteen year search, I was finally able to find one for sale.
It was from a wrecking yard and in pretty bad shape, but most of the major components are there. I would very much like to talk with someone who owns or has owned one. I am looking for a source of parts, new or used. Attached is a picture of a piece of dealer sales literature for them. Regards, Mark Correll Email: mcorrell at rrmobiledot com Posted to the If you have a query about Hercules motorcycles please.
MENU MENU. 1936 Hercules Liliput with 98cc Fichtel & Sachs engine Hercules History: In 1886 Carl Marschtz founded a company to build bicycles, and adopted the company name Hercules in 1900. Here is a excerpt condensed from Hercules made motorcycles since 1903, cyclemotors, mopeds, scooters, and cars. The main focus in the early 1900’s was on motorcycles with small capacity engines.
They began to increase to larger machines in the thirties and even saw some competition and long distance endurance success. They made various commercial vehicles between 1905 and 1928. In 1932, when tax reductions made 3-wheeler cars profitable, they made the Hercules Coupe, powered by a 200cc ILO engine. It was only in production for one year. Hercules and Sachs: The partnership of Hercules and Sachs began as early as 1905, when Ernst Sachs invented the Torpedo brake hub which provided a revolution in bicycle manufacture – and in bicycle sales.
Hercules involvement with Sachs led to the development of a very refined moped engine just before WW2. With the declaration of war in 1939, there had been no time to develop this ‘Saxonette’ further. But DKW engineers re-designed it during the war. Their plans were impounded by the British after the war, and led to the arrival of the Cyclemaster, a rear wheel and engine unit for bicycles. 1959 Hercules Prior Sport After the War, Hercules/Sachs were ideally set up for distribution abroad, and most Sachs engined mopeds used the Hercules name. Interestingly, Great Britain already had a well-established bicycle manufacturing company called Hercules, that was not connected to the German marque.
When The British Hercules company introduced their own moped in 1954, they had to change the name from ‘Hercules Grey Wolf’ to ‘Her-cu-Motor.’ In the 1950’s and 60’s Hercules made a variety of beautiful curvy mopeds and scooters. They merged with Zweirad Union after being purchased by ZF Sachs in 1963. In 1974 Hercules became the first company to offer a Wankel-rotary-engined motorcycle for sale to the general public. Here is more and more: German Speed Versions: In Germany, there are three kinds of mopeds: 1. Mofas are 25 km/h (16 mph), no licence required, minimum age 15, no passengers. “ Mofa” is short for motorisertes fahrrad (motorized bicycle). Mopeds are 40 km/h (26 mph), drivers license required (any class), minimum age 16.
Mokicks are kick-start mopeds with no pedals This is why Sachs 504 and 505 engine cylinders say “40km” or “25km”. Hercules Models The model numbers are confusing. Here is the explanation.
1970-1977 Hercules P1, M1, M2 (sheet frame). 1973-75 tube frame models These models all have tube frames with Sachs 505/1 engines. The pedals are part of the engine. There is one chain. 7 3-75 model engine for sale in M4-511 000 505/1B USA and others M5-634 000 505/2B P3 -513 000 505/2C HR2-633 00 505/2B In 1976 the US DOT adopted new standards for mopeds.
US states chose their on speed limits. In 1977 Hercules mopeds were imported to the US in 20mph (25km motor) and 25/30mph (40km motor) versions.
The 30mph states sold the 25mph versions. In the July 1977 book “Complete Book of Mopeds” it says “ Just beginning to be brought into the United States, the German made line of mopeds called Hercules uses the well respected Sachs engine.
Four models are presently available in the United States.” It goes on to describe the four models, 3 tube-frame-single-chain and 1 sheet-frame-dual-chain. M4 with chrome gas tank. HR2, an M4 with chrome crash bars, high exhaust pipe.
An M4 variant economy model, less chrome, and a P1 sheet frame. Those other models are not in any internet images, so they did not sell much, if at all. The majority of 1977 Hercules for sale in the US were M4, in several flavors. US Models: 1975: M4 505/1B (20mph), P1 504/1BS (20mph) 1976: M4 505/1B (20mph), P1 504/1BS (20mph) 1977: M4 505/1B (20mph), P1 504/1BS (20mph), M4 505/1A (25mph). Sachs Balboa Ad In 1978 the US models were given American names. The P-I (P1) with stamped sheet frame was called Westlake, after the town of Westlake Ohio where Sachs USA was headquartered. The engine covers changed from grey to black.
The M-I (M4) with tube frame and separate gas tank was called Balboa, after Balboa Island and Balboa Peninsula, in Newport Beach California. Here is a Sachs Balboa ad showing the historic Balboa Island Ferry that holds three cars and crosses the Newport Harbor channel every five or ten minutes. Myrons Mopeds had several group rides where 30 or 40 mopeds crammed onto that 3-auto ferry. Each bike paid 25¢ for the thrill of floatation. 1978 Sachs Model List United Moped was located in Fountain Valley, near Newport Beach. They were also the US distributor for Foxi mopeds, both Sparta made in Holland, and KTM made in Austria.
In December 1978, United Moped sent out this Sachs dealer price list to it’s dealers, who were already selling Foxi mopeds, both Sparta and KTM types. The list shows the official model names. The Westlake (Hercules P1) was either P-I with spoke wheels or P-II with “snowflake” mag wheels. The Balboa (Hercules M4) was either M-I with spoke wheels or M-II with mags. 1980 Sachs Prima G3 After 1980 new requirements for moped manufacturers came into effect.
Motor vehicle manufacturers worldwide were required to be registered, and to have a manufacturer code which is the first 3 digits of the new 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number. Many other requirements for noise, safety, and labeling came into effect. Decreasing sales and increasing regulations drove most European moped manufacturers out of the US after 1980. They stockpiled 2 or 3 years worth of 1980 models. Shaun’s dad’s shop Royal Cyclery sold 1980 Sachs Sundancers from 1981 to 1984. The same thing happened for the other makes. They all avoided making 1981, 82, 83 models. Moped shops throughout the USA sold 1980 models mostly, during 1981, 82 and 83. 1982 Bombardier-Hercules Eagle I, II, III Somehow Bombardier, in Canada, had Hercules make the bikes anonymously, for just one year, maybe a single batch.
The H logo is still on the gas cap and the headlight brackets. The Eagle owners manual is available online but it does not say the actual manufacturer or representative. It only says it was printed in Canada.
The blank ID plate shown has both English and French language, so it is Canada compliant at least, and maybe also USA compliant. Many of these bikes were sold in the Great Lakes states Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan. But none or almost none were in California. So Eagles are anonymous and regional.
1990’s Hercules Prima 5S (2-speed hand shift) The 2000’s: New clean air regulations came out in 2006 for 50cc bikes, in many places worldwide. That caused many 50cc two-stroke engines to be discontinued.
A few years before that, in 2002 Handy Bikes in Columbus Ohio, considered importing a model like the 2002 Hercules Prima 5S, but with a 1-speed automatic Sachs 505/1D engine, side reflectors, brake light, and turn signals. It would have been called “Sachs Suburban” just like 1980. But the cost was too much. It would have sold in 2003 for $1800, comparable to a 2003 Tomos for $1050 or $1200. Hercules Mopeds Speed Versions. Exhaust Header 26 OD 26 x 360 exposed outer 26 x 100 inside muffler How to tell: The cylinder says “25km” or “45km”. The cylinder head fins are either slanted (A,B) or straight (D).
The exhaust front pipe is thick or thin. The carburetor says “85/10” or 85/12”. The air filter inlet hole is big or small.
The rear sprocket is big or small. Find the model row in the table that has the same sizes and ID numbers, to determine what speed version your Hercules moped is. This information was not easily available. Sources are all factory manuals, parts, service, and owners.