Manual & Specs for 1978 Hercules 250 GS

[JCHubbard]

I just recently purchased a 1977/1978(?) Hercules 250 GS, and am looking for a manual and technical specifications on the bike. Your help and advice is much appreciated.



JC Hubbard
2008 KTM 250 XC
1985 Husky WR 400 x 2
1983 Husqvarna WR 250
1979 Maico 250 GS
1978 Hercules 250 GS
1974.5 Penton MINT 400

[marsattacks]

the go-to guy is Speedy Clasen.  Be is a member here but if you look at Vinduro or post there he is sure to respond promptly. Just received a 76 GS250 manual/parts list from him.  Regards, John

Mars Attacks!

[JCHubbard]

I had the pleasure of finally meeting Speedy this Fall at the ISDTRR --  I'll be sure to drop him a line.

Thanks,

John

JC Hubbard
2008 KTM 250 XC
1985 Husky WR 400 x 2
1983 Husqvarna WR 250
1979 Maico 250 GS
1978 Hercules 250 GS
1974.5 Penton MINT 400

[Kip Kern]

Jake Fisher still has a lot of Herc inventory also.

[pketchum]

As I understand it, Jake Fisher has lots of "hard parts" i.e. engine parts.

Phil

[JCHubbard]

I am still waiting for the bike to arrive from Oregon, but in the meantime I ordered some manuals and other literature from Sir Speedy last week -- Thanks (John)Marsattacks.

Kip and Phil -- Thanks for the heads up on Jake. He's only a few hours from me here in Maryland.

Looking forward to getting this bike, going through it, and resurrecting it.

JC Hubbard
2008 KTM 250 XC
1985 Husky WR 400 x 2
1983 Husqvarna WR 250
1979 Maico 250 GS
1978 Hercules 250 GS
1974.5 Penton MINT 400

[Dwight Rudder]

There were NO 1978 Hercs brought into the USA.  It would be a 1977 at best.  If it has the forward engine mount is is a late 1976-77. If it has Silver Medal Commemerative edition on the tank it was a 1977 sold in 1978 to clear out the warehouse after they closed Hercules USA.
There were a few crates of 1977/1978 European GS125/7a brought in by John Penton for evaluation, after PENTON USA and KTM Austria had their falling out / divorce.  (In about 1972, John Penton had originally asked Sachs to develop a 7 speed motor for use in Pentons.) We know where about 5 are. They were shipped 2 to a crate.  So there is one missing unless one of these were brought in from Canada or something. These were easily recognizable by their red and silver Coffin tanks.

Dwight Rudder     429002288
Rik Smits         429002289
Rick Grant        429002347
Kirk Sessions     429002343
Alan Drane        429002336

[JCHubbard]

Thanks for clearing up the confusion Dwight. The guy I bought if from said it was a 1978 (the bike has a title), but the pictures I've this of particular bike surely aren't the coffin style tank you've described and that I've seen as well. It looks like a 76-77. Again, it will interesting to see this bike up close and personal when it arrives.

Thanks,

John

JC Hubbard
2008 KTM 250 XC
1985 Husky WR 400 x 2
1983 Husqvarna WR 250
1979 Maico 250 GS
1978 Hercules 250 GS
1974.5 Penton MINT 400

[marsattacks]

Hey John if you have them post some pics. My 250 is a 76 titled as a 77 or 78. I'll reciprocate. Thanks, John

[JCHubbard]

This is a picture from the seller's garage in Oregon -- it's the only pic I have. I'll post more when the bike arrives.

JC Hubbard
2008 KTM 250 XC
1985 Husky WR 400 x 2
1983 Husqvarna WR 250
1979 Maico 250 GS
1978 Hercules 250 GS
1974.5 Penton MINT 400