The Merkel Motorcycle

[jurassic]

milwaukee 1902, joe merkel is motorizing bicycles with a motor of his own design.

[jurassic]

1903 , merkel changes to the loop frame .

[jurassic]

milwaukee 1904. the merkel compared to the first harley.

[jurassic]

milwaukee 1905. merkel is still using the loop frame and the same basic engine design. they have changed the tank from the oil over gas 2 piece unit ,to a one piece gas/oil tank hanging from the top frame tube.

[jurassic]

milwaukee 1907. merkel has radically changed their engine design .

[c.o.]

This dates from 1909 but I'm assuming it's one of Joe's machines. Sounds like it hauled a$$!!

[bobbyt]

[QUOTE=c.o.;111879]This dates from 1909 but I'm assuming it's one of Joe's machines. Sounds like it hauled a$$!!


Stanley Kellogg was the north eastern distributor for Excelsior from early 1909 on. He raced Exs, and Merkels in the '61 class, until Excelsior released their twin in 1911.

Bob Turek
#769

[c.o.]

[QUOTE=bobbyt;111891]

This dates from 1909 but I'm assuming it's one of Joe's machines. Sounds like it hauled a$$!!


Stanley Kellogg was the north eastern distributor for Excelsior from early 1909 on. He raced Exs, and Merkels in the '61 class, until Excelsior released their twin in 1911.

Bob Turek
#769

Interesting info Bob!! It certainly appears as though he was worth paying attention to on the track!

[rwm]

i looked up the point breeze track. it seems like every town around here had a track in the early 1900's. anyway that is not the point of my hijack. what is the bradley motorcycle?

[c.o.]

Yeah Rob, if you really get digging, there were tracks all over the place!!! I've got some info on the Bradley somewhere but here's some info in the meantime. http://youtu.be/RlXnthnGihY

[Tom Wilcock]

Bradley

Here is information I have on the Bradley. Tom Wilcockbradley1.jpgbradley 2.jpg

[exeric]

I've always been curious about the Bradley. I gather it was a fast, well built bike that was rare in it's own time. Does anyone in the AMCA have one?

[rwm]

i found a video that seems to be the pickers. google has almost nothing here is the video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlXnthnGihY

[pem]

Here is some more info on the Bradley. Looks pretty similar to a Merkel and Harley. This is from the May 1908 "The Motorcycle Illustrated". I don't know too much about this brand.

Dick

[c.o.]

Dick, I'd say it was an uncanny resemblance.