Flying Merkel
The Flying Merkel was a motorcycle of the American company Merkel in Milwaukee, which relocated later to Middletown, Ohio.[1] The motorcycle was produced from 1911 to 1915.
Early days
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The founder of the company, Joe Merkel, began designing engines for motorcycles in 1902, and built his own motorcycles beginning in 1903, including a one-cylinder engine with a capacity of 316 cc, which was also used in the contemporary Indian. In 1908, he set up a company under the name of Light Manufacturing and Foundry Company in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. His motorcycles displayed the trademark "Merkel Light" on the tank. In 1910, he offered the first two-cylinder engine. In 1911, the company was taken over by Miami Cycle and Manufacturing Company of Middletown, Ohio. Subsequently, the trademark was changed to "Flying Merkel", and a bright and shiny orange paint was used, which was later described as "Merkel orange".[1][2]
Technology
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The Flying Merkel had a conservative engine-control system featuring an automatic inlet valve and a preset outlet valve.[2] The V engine initially displaced 884 cc (53.9 cu in) and delivered 6 hp (4.5 kW), through a two-speed gearbox and a belt drive, for a maximum speed of 97 km/h (60 mph). A motorsports version without brake was available with a 997 cc (60.8 cu in) engine, including roller bearings, Bosch magneto ignition, Schebler carburetor, and chain drive. The roadworthy version had a band brake on the rear wheel and was sold for US$325.[1]
An innovation was the motorcycle fork, patented by Joe Merkel as a "truss fork", which could be seen[citation needed] as a predecessor of the telescopic fork. The Flying Merkel had an automatically dripping oil feeder, which was subsequently copied by Indian and Harley-Davidson.[2] In 1913, a new model appeared; the engine had now an automatically controlled inlet valve and a spring-loaded kickstarter.[1] Production ceased in 1915. The Flying Merkel achieved its iconic status through the shape of its tank and the colorful body paint.[2]
At auction
[edit]A replica of the racing version was auctioned in January 2012 at Bonhams for nearly €30,000.[3] A 1911 Flying Merkel Board Track Racer went for US$423,500 in 2015 and a 1911 Flying Merkel for US$201,250 in 2011.[4]
Revival
[edit]Currently, Greg Merkel, the great-great-grandnephew of Joe Merkel, has taken ownership of the trademark "Flying Merkel" and has started a revival of the brand called "Flying Merkel Inc".[better source needed][5]
Riders
[edit]See also
[edit]- List of motorcycle manufacturers
- List of motorcycles of the 1910s
- List of motorcycles of 1900 to 1909
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d Jerry Hatfield: Standard Catalog of American Motorcycles. 1898–1981. Krause Publications, 2006, ISBN 978-0-89689-949-0., pp. 378–384
- ^ a b c d The Art Of The Motorcycle. Guggenheim Museum, Las Vegas, 2001, ISBN 0-89207-207-5., p. 114.
- ^ bonhams.com Auktion 19679, lot 303 (downloaded on 18 October 2013)
- ^ Gizmag - World's most expensive motorcycles
- ^ About, Flying Merkel Inc
External links
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