Flying Merkel
The Flying Merkel (1911-1915) was an American manufacturer of motorcycle in Milwaukee Merkel, later Middletown, Ohio.
The company founder Joseph F. Merkel (1872-1958) constructed in 1902 built-in motors for motorcycles, since 1903 he presented independently Motorcycles ago, with a 316 - cc single-cylinder engine, which was also used in the Indian of that time. 1908, the company merged with the Light Manufacturing and Foundry Company in Pottstown. Motorcycle models now carried the name " Merkel -Light" on the tank. 1910 appeared a first two-cylinder V- engine from Merkel, 1911, the company was taken over by the " Miami Cycle and Manufacturing Company " of Middletown, Ohio. Then changed the tank lettering and features of the motorcycle with the caption "Flying Merkel " and the painting in bright orange, later referred to as " Merkel's Orange".
Technology
The Flying Merkel was a conservative, even for that time valve control: an automatic inlet valve per cylinder and a controlled outlet valve. The first 884 cc, two-cylinder V- engine produced 6 hp and enabled with a two-speed gearbox and belt drive a maximum speed of 97 km / h A brakeless racing version appeared with ball bearing 997 - cc engine, Bosch magneto ignition, Schebler carburetor and chain drive. A street version of which was offered with band brake on the rear wheel for 325 U.S. dollars.
The innovative feature of the Flying Merkel was the motorcycle fork, patented by Joe Merkel " Truss fork ", which is considered a precursor of the telescopic fork. Although the engine is not equivalent to that of the control valve ago the prior art, the Flying Merkel had a controlled via the throttle cable automatic drip oiler, which was later copied by Indian and Harley -Davidson. 1913 Flying Merkel was revised: the engine now received a controlled inlet valve, and a kick starter which operated a spring mechanism of a pedal. 1915 production was stopped. The Flying Merkel had already reached cult status with the shape of its fuel tanks and the " Merkel Orange" at that time. In January 2012, a replica of the Flying Merkel racer was auctioned for nearly 30,000 Euros at Bonhams.