The Merkel Motorcycle

[duffeycycles]

[duffeycycles]

1912 Mekel ad from cedar rapids

[LouieMCman]

BigLakeBob, Having been born in Middletown and growing up just south in Monroe, I have always had an interest in the Miami Cycle and have a 1916 Miami Power Cycle (you know the poor man's Merkel) and a nice Miami bicycle. I believe that the Hanover address was carried over from the Pottstown, PA plant, see attached ads. Or maybe they had an office there? The Miami factory in Middletown was on Grand Ave and was torn down years ago. One of the local guys got some of the bricks from the factory and gave me one (thanks Wayne!). My dad actually worked in the old factory building back in the 50's when it was a machine shop. I'm still working on a history of the Miami company that is currently about 60 pages with many ads, original factory pictures, and company history.

[exeric]

Louie, is there something on the old Miami factory site now? I was visiting a friend in Middletown, Ohio back in 1983 and the building was still standing. It was quite run-down but there was some kind of business there.

[LouieMCman]

Eric, the factory was torn down about 10 years? ago, I think it's part of the Cohen Bros. recycling yard (junk). I'll check with my dad but I don't think there is any thing there now.

[BigLakeBob]

BigLakeBob, Having been born in Middletown and growing up just south in Monroe, I have always had an interest in the Miami Cycle and have a 1916 Miami Power Cycle (you know the poor man's Merkel) and a nice Miami bicycle. I believe that the Hanover address was carried over from the Pottstown, PA plant, see attached ads. Or maybe they had an office there? The Miami factory in Middletown was on Grand Ave and was torn down years ago. One of the local guys got some of the bricks from the factory and gave me one (thanks Wayne!). My dad actually worked in the old factory building back in the 50's when it was a machine shop. I'm still working on a history of the Miami company that is currently about 60 pages with many ads, original factory pictures, and company history.

Grand Ave makes more sense from the size of that factory in that last photo. It would have never fit on the Hanover St. I was on. I'm surprised I even found a Hanover St. HaHa!! Thanks for setting me straight, I really don't need to go in that part of town again. It is really too bad that there are so many run down buildings in Middletown. Louie, I'm up RT. 122 in Eaton. Bob AMCA# 6738

[duffeycycles]

1910 Flying Merkel racer OP,Davenport track.I don't remember the year or rider.I think the suit was also vintage.

[c.o.]

Great photo Duffey!!! I just hauled myself in from the unkind elements of winter and this photo has me longing for Davenport and some board track class racing!!!

[rwm]

that should be rusty lowery riding bob cliftons 1910 orignal paint flying merkel racer

[exeric]

I've always been curious about that Merkel racer. I've never seen a vintage picture of a Merkel twin in that frame. There is the famous picture of Maldwyn Jones taken in 1910 on a chassis like that, but his is a single. Also, it is well know that Maldwyn Jones built that bike on his own time from Merkel factory racing "junk". And, that motor has a 1911 gear cover, as the 1910 motor used a square shaped mechanical oil pump that was mounted on the gear cover. Just wondering if there is a history to this bike; as it certainly looks old.

[duffeycycles]

Thanx Rob--Rusty and Bob sound right.I remember them saying the only known original Flying Merkel racer that existed.They said that it should be in museum but they raced it with the theory a broken bike can be in a museum. I took this from the left end of the stands-no fence!

[exeric]

So they know the history of that Merkel racer? Again, I'd be interested in it's history.

[rwm]

the owner past away and the bike went to auction i believe an in law of a guy who visits the forum bought the bike

[c.o.]

So they know the history of that Merkel racer? Again, I'd be interested in it's history.

I'll second that!!!

[LouieMCman]

Igot about a dozen Merkel racer pictures in my history of the Miami Company, here are a couple with more to come...