The Flying Merkel is among the most notable early American motorcycles. While Harley-Davidson, Indian, Thor and Excelsior built fine machines, Joseph Merkel sought to bring design and technology not seen in any motorcycles before. Now at the National Motorcycle Museum, you can view the largest permanent display of Merkels anywhere on the planet. That grouping includes an ultra-rare Flying Merkel Racer, a Merkel Light and other twins and singles, even a bicycle from Merkel’s seven year existence.


In 1902 Joseph Merkel set up shop in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to produce motorcycles. Merkel hired the best competition riders. Mechanical developments from racing led him to design a  fork so good it was used by other brands as well. Most remarkable for the time was Merkel’s rear suspension, a “mono-shock” of sorts with one spring unit under the seat and a triangulated swingarm pivoting just behind the pedal crank. It’s similar to a design used by Vincent, then Yamaha motocross racers many years later. Joseph Merkel was among the most innovative of early motorcycle designers experimenting with self-starting and using rear suspension almost 50 years before some American makers adopted it. Belt drive was generally shunned by Merkel; he favored the more efficient chain rear drive.

Merkel also gave attention to engine design incorporating cam operated inlet valves where others were still using atmospheric valve designs. He also began to use ball bearings on the crankshaft early on. Though ultimately a failure, his spring operated starting system self-wound each time the engine started, ready for the next round of starting.

Distinctive fuel tank shapes and the orange paint make Merkels immediately identifiable. Merkel company had several owners and locations over the years. It was purchased by Light Manufacturing, moved to Pottstown, Pennsylvania in 1909 and the name Flying Merkel was added. Then in 1911 Merkel was moved to Middletown, Ohio after Miami Cycle Manufacturing purchased the company but ceased manufacturing in 1917.

  • flying-merkels_1
  • flying-merkels_2
  • flying-merkels_3
  • flying-merkels_4
  • flying-merkels_5
  • flying-merkels_6
  • flying-merkels_7
  • flying-merkels_8
  • flying-merkels_9
  • flying-merkels_10
12345678910
5 replies
  1. Russ Vetter
    Russ Vetter says:

    How awesome is this!?!? I can’t wait to stop by this next week and have a look for myself. Love this museum, I’ve been going to it for a long time and every time I go, I get to see something new.

    Reply
  2. Joshua Herndon
    Joshua Herndon says:

    I am glad to see that this Merkle machinery is on permanent display at the museum. I am planning a cross country trip from Maine to California for next July (2016) and the museum is on the itinerary for the return trip. I am really looking forward to visiting Anamosa and the museum.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *