The model numbers are confusing. Here is the explanation.
1970-1977 Hercules P1, M1, M2 (sheet frame)
Hercules sheet frame
1973-75 sheet-frame models
Hercules P1, M1, M2
These models all have stamped sheet-metal frames with Sachs 504/1 engines. The pedals are part of the frame. There are two chains, motor and pedal.
70-77 model 0 engine for sale in
M1-508M 000 504/1B Germany
M2-504M 000 504/1B Germany
P1 -505P 000 504/1A Germany
M1-DK 00000 504/1DK Denmark
M1-CDN 0000 504/1A Canada
M2-S 000000 504/1BS Sweden
M2-N 000000 504/1A Norway
1970 DKW (Euro model)
M1-NL 00000 504/1NL Netherlands
P1 -CDN 000 504/1A Canada
P1 -F 000000 504/1A France
P1 -505P exp 504/1A export
P1 -505P J 00 504/1A Japan
P1 -505P USA 504/1BS USA
P1 -506M CH 504/1ACH Switzerland
P1 -505P GB 504/1A Great Britian
1974 DKW P1 (Euro)
This says in 1975 the US model of Hercules sheet-frame had a 504/1BS engine, 1 hp 20mph. The Canada model had a 504/1A engine 1.8 hp 25-30mph. The two 1976 models shown below agree with that. The 1975-76 USA model was branded “Hercules” but the Canada model was called “Moppet”.
1976 Hercules P1 (for USA)
Sachs 504/1B engine (20mph)
big sprocket, thin exhaust header
1976 Moppet P1-CDN (Canada)
Sachs 504/1A engine (25-30mph)
small sprocket, thick exhaust header
1976 Hercules M2 (Euro)
1973-77 Hercules M4, M5, P3, HR2 (tube frame)
Hercules tube 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.
73-75 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)
1977 Hercules M4 (USA), 505/1A 25mph
note thicker exhaust pipe & smaller rear sprocket
1977 Hercules M4 (USA), 505/1B 20mph
note the thin exhaust header & big sprocket
1977 Hercules M4
1977 Hercules M5 (Euro model)
You can tell a US model moped by the side reflectors and the lights. A Euro model has no side reflectors and the lights are smaller. Here they are side by side.
In 1977 the importer was Sachs Motor Corporation of USA, headquartered at 909 Crocker Rd, Westlake OH 44145, and later at 6401 Regio St, Buena Park CA 90620.
Myron’s Sachs Info Sheets, click to enlarge
1978 brochure by Sachs Motors Corporation of USA and United Moped, Sachs western distributor
This flyer discloses the true identities. The Westlake is a P1 model and the Balboa is a M4 model.
1978-79 Sachs Westlake, Balboa
1978 Sachs ad
Sachs Balboa Ad
In 1977 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.
1978-79 Sachs Westlake P-I (P1)
30mph version with 504/1D engine
by Sunday Morning Motors
1978-79 Sachs Westlake P-II (P1)
30mph version with 504/1D engine
by Sunday Morning Motors
After 1977 there were three USA speed versions:
30mph 504/1D, 505/1D
25mph 504/1A, 505/1A
20mph 504/1B, 505/1B
1978 Sachs Balboa M-I (M4)
25mph version with 505/1A engine
1978 Sachs Balboa M-II (M4)
30mph version with 505/1D engine
1979-83 Sachs Suburban, 1980 Sachs Sundancer
In 1980 the Westlake was re-named Sundancer. The engine covers remained black. The tail light changed from ULO to CEV. The exhaust changed from black to all chrome. The CEV round chrome switches changed to CEV black plastic.
1980 Sachs Sundancer
1980 Sachs Sundancer
1980 Sachs Sundancer with mags
1979-80 Sachs Suburban
30mph version with 505/1D engine
1979-80 Sachs Suburban
25mph version with 505/1A engine
In 1979 the Balboa M-II with mags was re-named Suburban. The tail light changed from ULO to CEV. The engine covers changed from grey to black. The exhaust changed from black to all chrome. The CEV round chrome switches changed to CEV black plastic.
1983 Sachs Suburban US model with 0212-124-045 magneto and 505-1D foot brake
1980 Sachs Seville, Prima, Prima G3
1980 Sachs Seville with oil injection
1980 Sachs Prima
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 http://projectmopedmanual.info/Manual_HTML/sachs.html 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.
1982 Eagle I
1982 Eagle II
1982 Eagle III
The 1980’s: While the last production year for US-model Hercules mopeds was 1980, sales of 1980 models continued into 1981 and beyond. The Motorcyclist Magazine 1981 Buyers Guide https://www.myronsmopeds.com/category/1981-buyers-guide/ lists several “1981” Sachs models: Sundancer $665, Suburban $740, Prima $793, Seville $892, Prima G3 $993 est.
Bike maker Nürnberger Hercules-Werke stopped supplying bikes to the US after 1982. But engine maker Fichtel & Sachs continued to make engines for Columbia (USA), KKM (USA), Sparta (Netherlands), Jui Li (Taiwan), Her Chee (Taiwan). The bike makers had Fichtel & Sachs engine parts and service manuals. The last US-model with an actual Sachs 505/1D engine is a KKM Mopet, 1988 to 1990, made in Ohio USA. So the Sachs engines lasted 8 years longer than the Hercules-Sachs bikes, in the USA.
The rise in popularity of well-made low-cost 50 or 80cc Japanese scooters like Honda Spree, Elite and Yamaha Razz, Riva plus the increased regulations for drivers licenses, registration, plus the lower price of gasoline, contributed to the last Sachs-Hercules moped shipped from Germany to the USA, in 1982, and the last Sachs moped engine shipped from Germany to USA in 1990.
The 1990’s: Hercules continued making the same sheet-frame and tube-frame type mopeds, for sale in Europe, until 2006.
1990’s Hercules Prima 2S (1-speed automatic)
1990’s Hercules Prima 3S (2-speed hand shift)
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.
