wankel.............

[spooky]

Does anyone have experience of the DKW/Hercules w2000  rotary ? always had a fancy for one of these but not  seen on for sale  in the last 20/30 years,   it is a single rotor so almost a thumper ?

[timbo]

There's one only a few hundred yards from my place, along with an RE5, and a Norton Rotary. All in a big private collection, and nothings ever for sale 
Those of you who make it this far in April, will hopefully get to see them, plus the rest of his massive hoard of rare and interesting bikes.

[spooky]

was that the one at st johns in august ?

[SteveC#222]

I seem to remember they had some good write ups at the time, very smooth but maybe a bit too quwerky for most. I believe it was a single rotor, strange things, sort of like a two stroke but not really. I think they had some sort of seals on the rotor tips which could wear. I don't know if they need special oil, I know the Norton rotaries did..Rotella?... I know it was expensive. Rare beasts in any form...The Russian made a Ural/Dnepr prototype but it never made it into production.

[timbo]

No Rufus, unfortunately these bikes never see the light of day. The owner doesn't even have a licence FFS!
Aye, I think they have ceramic rotar tips and seals which wear out. Frank Westworth is a big fan of the Norton Rotary's.

[iansoady]

I believe the ceramic seals were an upgrade to replace the originals which did wear fast (on the Nortons at least).

Rotella was indeed the recommended but AFAIK it's just an ordinary single grade diesel lubricant.

I've always rather fancied the Norton version but when I was young & agile enough to ride one never had the spare cash.

[Ian]

There`s a gentleman who rides the Norton Commander close to me who rides it to our summer meets..I think he has about 100,000 on the clock at the moment. I dont think he has had any mods done to it.