Flashback. 1911 Flying Merkel.

1911flyingmerkelJoe Merkel started designing his own motorcycle in 1903 in Milwaukee. A 316 cc one-cylinder engine which was was also used in the contemporary Indian. In 1910 he launched the first two-cylinder engine. His company was bought in 1911 by Miami Cycle and Manufacturing Company of Middletown, Ohio and the original trademark “Merkel Light” was replaced by “Flying Merkel” with all motorcycles painted in orange. They were produced from 1911 to 1915. A road version with a 884 cc engine, 2-speed, a rear wheel hand brake, for a maximum speed of 60 mph and sold for $325. Then a 997 cc sport version without brake. The Flying Merkel had an automatically dripping oil feeder, which was subsequently copied by Harley-Davidson and Indian. A 1911 Flying Merkel Board Track Racer was auctioned for $423,500 USD in 2015. On display at the National Motorcycle Museum, Anamosa Iowa. Photography @ Doug Mitchel 630.605.6276.

4 Responses to “Flashback. 1911 Flying Merkel.”


  1. 1 richards Nov 5th, 2016 at 6:03 pm

    The National Motorcycle Museum In Anamosa Iowa is really nice. They have agreat collection of bikes and it is run by some very friendly people. If you have the opportunity, visit…you won’t be disappointed.

  2. 2 rags Nov 6th, 2016 at 8:57 am

    awesome
    hd copying again

  3. 3 Woody's Nov 6th, 2016 at 11:36 am

    Biased much?The story says it was copied by Harley and Indian and the comment is Harley copies again. Why purposely omit Indian from the copying comment? If you look at bikes from that era you would swear all of them were using the same frame so who copied whom and how often is like the Auto industry where everything was being invented fresh and everybody was copying everybody. Not defending anyone just pointing out the way it was done and if it was a problem obviously Merkel should have defended themselves at the time instead of people being offended by it today

  4. 4 nicker Nov 8th, 2016 at 1:24 pm

    Hand crafted scooters, all of them.

    -nicker-

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Cyril Huze