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Cult bike Hercules Ultra 50
The 50s racer that inspired
As dry and matter-of-fact as MOTORRAD dealt with the Hercules Ultra 50, the then still very manageable bunch of motorcycle fans flattened their noses on the shop windows with enthusiasm and euphoria.
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In 1977 the fiery red Hercules Ultra 50 got even grown men going.
“With its sporty appearance, the Hercules Ultra 50 associates the impression of a sports machine. Its good chassis, the robust engine and anatomically positioned controls carry this image. ”With this clear, albeit very sober conclusion from MOTORRAD number 10/1977, editor Ilse Reuter concluded the first test report of the fiery red 50s.
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Cult bike Hercules Ultra 50
The 50s racer that inspired
Double disc brake in the front wheel
As dry and matter-of-fact as MOTORRAD dealt with the 50s racer from Nuremberg’s Nopitschstrasse, the then still very manageable bunch of motorcycle fans flattened their noses on the shop windows with enthusiasm and euphoria.
Even though we were allowed to ride real motorcycles with the “Einser”, the Stuttgart scene ran into the booth of the Hercules dealer Baitinger because of the Hercules Ultra 50. A moped, of all things, came across as decked out as we would have liked our 250cc Suzukis, Yamaha or Kawasakis: sleek fairing with black window, Magura handlebar, hump seat and – unbelievably – a double disc brake in the front wheel.
That was not even available as standard in the big Japanese in 1977, only on thoroughbred racing machines. Sure, the brake discs stamped from sheet steel with the puny Grimeca two-piston pliers came on closer inspection from the lowest Italian quality drawer, but in combination with the red and yellow painted seven-spoke cast wheels did a lot and braked at least exemplary dry. Only when it was wet did the pads slip over the brake discs as if they were oiled. Thankfully, Ilse Reuter noted, at least the rear brake on the Hercules Ultra 50 then worked perfectly – because that was a good old drum brake protected from splash water.
Air-cooled cylinder was a feast for the eyes
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The beautiful Sachs engine with huge ribs and fan head drives the Ultra with its 6.25 hp to a top speed of almost 100 km / h.
Another feast for the eyes of the Hercules Ultra 50 was the air-cooled cylinder with the mighty fan head, the ribs of which were dampened against the buzz not only with a circumferential support, but also with rubber bands. It makes sense that the Sachs engine actually put the official 6.25 hp on the crankshaft. At least. Because with a brisk 96 km / h top speed, lying naturally, the Nuremberg-based company should have installed a few more watts of engine power – just like their main competitors Kreidler, Zundapp and Maico. On the other hand, there was nothing to be seen of the Japanese for mopeds and mopeds at the end of the 1970s.
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