loading image

Joseph Frederic Merkel (1872–1978) road-tested his first motorcycle in 1900. Like many early manufacturers, Merkel based his initial design on a small engine attached to a bicycle-like frame with a simple belt-drive to the rear wheel. The Merkel Manufacturing Company of Milwaukee commenced production of an improved model in 1902, and Merkel introduced a stronger loop-type frame with an innovative rear suspension the following year. After he patented a telescoping-fork, spring-loaded front suspension, Merkel merged his company in 1908 with another motorcycle maker, the Light Manufacturing and Foundry Company of Pottstown, Pennsylvania. The new Merkel-Light proved successful on the racetrack, and “The Flying Merkel” brand-name was given to their racing machines and applied to all street-going motorcycles. Joseph Merkel continued his tenure as chief engineer and designer when Merkel-Light was purchased by The Miami Cycle & Manufacturing Company in 1911. Working from a new three-story factory in Middletown, Ohio, the company manufactured a powerful twin-cylinder, chain-driven Flying Merkel in 1912. Five new models were available in 1913. They featured redesigned single- and twin-cylinder engines supported internally by ball bearings, along with wider forks, larger tires, and rear mono-shock suspensions similar to those found on modern motorcycles. This 1914 Flying Merkel is equipped with a seven-horsepower twin-cylinder engine, v-belt drive, and optional speedometer driven by the front wheel. “Early American Motorcycles” is on view pre-security in the International Terminal Main Hall and online - link in bio. https://bit.ly/EarlyMotorcycles This image was posted on September 08, 2021.

Similar Instagram posts

Harley-Davidson survives as the only continuously operating company of the approximately 100 motorcycle manufacturers that existed in the United States during the early twentieth century. This image was posted on April 02, 2021. #earlyamericanmotorcycles #motorcycle #vintagemotorcycle #harleydavidson
Effie (1889–1966) and Avis (1863–1958) Hotchkiss were the first women to ride across the United States on a motorcycle. This image was posted on August 13, 2021. #earlyamericanmotorcycles #motorcycle #vintagemotorcycle #womenwhoride
Before Glenn Curtiss (1878-1930) shifted his attention to aviation, he was one of the first manufacturers to design motorcycles that significantly improved on their bicycle heritage. This image was posted on March 19, 2021. #earlyamericanmotorcycles #motorcycle #motorcycletouring #vintagemotorcycle #glenncurtiss
EPIC STORY ALERT! This image was posted on March 05, 2021. #earlyamericanmotorcycles #motorcycle #motorcycletouring #vintagemotorcycle #sfhistory
To no surprise, racing began almost as soon as motorcycles were introduced to the market, and the first organized race was held in 1901 at Agriculture Park in Los Angeles. This image was posted on June 03, 2021. #earlyamericanmotorcycles #motorcycle #vintagemotorcycle #jeffersonmotorcycle #motorcycleracing