water wanderer
1911 Flying Merkel 3hp, 500cc IOE
Description
Specifications:
3hp, 500 cc IOE single-cylinder engine.
'If it passed you, it was a Flying Merkel.' So proclaimed the Milwaukee motorcycle manufacturer's slogan, a company known forthinking and racing outside the box.
Its name alone is probably one ofthe most unusual and whimsical in the lexicon of motorcycling. As for 'Merkel', it belongs to the machine's creator, one Joseph Merkel who founded the company in 1902. His advanced designs included a patented spring fork that was the forerunner ofthe modern telescopic fork, monoshock rear suspension, a cam-actuated intake valve, and a throttle-controlled engine oiling system. Few bike builders ofthe era could account for so many innovations.
The company changed hands more than once as the years, and the bikes, rolled on. In 1909 it was acquired by the Light Manufacturing Co. of Pottstown, Pennsylvania and then in 1911 by the Ohio-based Miami Cycle and Manufacturing Co. The 'Flying' part was allegedly based on a comment by a spectator who watched a Merkel fly by the competition at a racing event. Certainly its bright orange paint job and large script lettering emblazoned on the beautifully sculpted tank, all set off by the white tires, makes for one ofthe most dramatic and appealing motorcycling 'personalities.'And there is plenty of beast beneath the beauty to add depth to its charms. During these early days, the famous Cyclone and the Flying Merkel were the kings of performance, the fastest machines on the road.
Company literature spoke to that prowess when it stated, 'Every ounce of superfluous weight is removed and their entire construction in every minute detail is designed to develop the greatest possible speed.'
Racing improves the breed (plus sales) and such was the case when a Merkel was placed in the hands ofthe legendary Maldwyn Jones, who first joined the company as a mechanic in 1910 and then as a young test rider. Besting the likes ofthe undefeated Cannonball Baker at the 10-mile Ohio race, many wins were scored by Jones for the Merkel banner, bringing both motorcycle and riderto national attention. Other bike builders got the hint and soon began using Merkel frontforks on their racers. Merkel would go on to add a single-shock rear suspension to their later machines earning the sobriquet 'All roads are smooth to the Flying Merkel.'
Flying Merkels were built for street use as well as racing and within the pages ofthe owner's handbook, the rider was cautioned with the words, 'Never run with your muffler open. This is a very bad habit to get into, because the noise is very disagreeable to the public and scares horses.'It went on to add, 'Donl forget to be a gentleman always.'
A slew of engineering innovations and racing successes, coupled with high quality and visual impact, were not enough to sustain this highly individualistic vision of motorcycling. The onset of World War I and a declining American motorcycle market took its toll on the Flying Merkel. Yet given its relatively short lifespan, the Merkel has left an indelible impression on American motorcycle technology and history.
Purebred, race bred, well-bred, wildly bred'all describe one of America's most charismatic motorcycles. Seen here is an outstanding machine in remarkable condition built in the true spirit of the days when Merkels were flying high.
1911 Flying Merkel 3hp, 500cc IOE
Description
Specifications:
3hp, 500 cc IOE single-cylinder engine.
'If it passed you, it was a Flying Merkel.' So proclaimed the Milwaukee motorcycle manufacturer's slogan, a company known forthinking and racing outside the box.
Its name alone is probably one ofthe most unusual and whimsical in the lexicon of motorcycling. As for 'Merkel', it belongs to the machine's creator, one Joseph Merkel who founded the company in 1902. His advanced designs included a patented spring fork that was the forerunner ofthe modern telescopic fork, monoshock rear suspension, a cam-actuated intake valve, and a throttle-controlled engine oiling system. Few bike builders ofthe era could account for so many innovations.
The company changed hands more than once as the years, and the bikes, rolled on. In 1909 it was acquired by the Light Manufacturing Co. of Pottstown, Pennsylvania and then in 1911 by the Ohio-based Miami Cycle and Manufacturing Co. The 'Flying' part was allegedly based on a comment by a spectator who watched a Merkel fly by the competition at a racing event. Certainly its bright orange paint job and large script lettering emblazoned on the beautifully sculpted tank, all set off by the white tires, makes for one ofthe most dramatic and appealing motorcycling 'personalities.'And there is plenty of beast beneath the beauty to add depth to its charms. During these early days, the famous Cyclone and the Flying Merkel were the kings of performance, the fastest machines on the road.
Company literature spoke to that prowess when it stated, 'Every ounce of superfluous weight is removed and their entire construction in every minute detail is designed to develop the greatest possible speed.'
Racing improves the breed (plus sales) and such was the case when a Merkel was placed in the hands ofthe legendary Maldwyn Jones, who first joined the company as a mechanic in 1910 and then as a young test rider. Besting the likes ofthe undefeated Cannonball Baker at the 10-mile Ohio race, many wins were scored by Jones for the Merkel banner, bringing both motorcycle and riderto national attention. Other bike builders got the hint and soon began using Merkel frontforks on their racers. Merkel would go on to add a single-shock rear suspension to their later machines earning the sobriquet 'All roads are smooth to the Flying Merkel.'
Flying Merkels were built for street use as well as racing and within the pages ofthe owner's handbook, the rider was cautioned with the words, 'Never run with your muffler open. This is a very bad habit to get into, because the noise is very disagreeable to the public and scares horses.'It went on to add, 'Donl forget to be a gentleman always.'
A slew of engineering innovations and racing successes, coupled with high quality and visual impact, were not enough to sustain this highly individualistic vision of motorcycling. The onset of World War I and a declining American motorcycle market took its toll on the Flying Merkel. Yet given its relatively short lifespan, the Merkel has left an indelible impression on American motorcycle technology and history.
Purebred, race bred, well-bred, wildly bred'all describe one of America's most charismatic motorcycles. Seen here is an outstanding machine in remarkable condition built in the true spirit of the days when Merkels were flying high.