1911 Flying Merkel Model V

FROM THE DICK SHAPPY COLLECTION: The 1911 Flying Merkel Twin 05

Joe Merkel founded the Merkel Motor Co. as a bicycle manufacturer, but by 1903, he had built his own motorcycle. In 1909, Merkel merged with the Light Motor Co. and relocated from Milwaukee to Pottstown, PA, where they produced motorcycles under the name "The Merkel Light Motor Co.," which was later shortened to "Merkel Light." In 1911, the company was acquired by Miami Cycle and Manufacturing Company of Middletown, Ohio, and the trademark was subsequently changed to "Flying Merkel."

The Merkel had an innovative spring fork, patented by Joe as a "truss fork," the predecessor of the telescopic front fork, which became the choice for racing, where they broke records. It had an automatically dripping oil feeder, an invention that would go on to be copied by larger manufacturers, such as Indian and Harley-Davidson. They developed the mono-shock rear suspension system that is still in use to this day. Its iconic status was achieved through this innovation, its bright "Merkel orange" paint, and its distinctive tank shape, making the motorcycle immediately identifiable.

Merkel attracted buyers with its high quality and slogans such as "All roads are smooth to The Flying Merkel," "The Most Powerful Motorcycle in the World," and "If it passes you, it's a Flying Merkel." It wasn't enough to sustain the Flying Merkel through the onset of war, however, and production ceased in 1917, making this show-quality restored 1911 Flying Merkel Twin a relic of history.

Dick Shappy, in his time collecting motorcycles, has acquired fifteen different Merkels. He regards this 1911 Twin as his finest. Purchased from Mike Wolfe of American Pickers in 2006, it then underwent a seven-year meticulous, no-expense-spared original restoration. Wolfe recently shared that it was one of the first motorcycles he acquired in his early days as an American Picker that he considered a high-end acquisition with a high resale value as an original, mostly complete Flying Merkel. As the most complete, correct, and original Merkel, this was used as a reference to aid in future restorations.

The 1911 boasts a V-Twin engine with a Bosh magneto and an original engine number. It was manufactured in Pottstown, Pennsylvania while Merkel was going by the name the Merkel Light Motor Company. It features a horn, kickstand, luggage rack, and Troxel Manufacturing Company leather tool box made in Elyria, Ohio. The headlight reads "Mauretania" and the Old Sol tail light from the Hawthorne Manufacturing Company was made in Bridgeport, Connecticut. The Merkel orange paint dazzles and has graced the lawn of the Newport Concours d'Elegance. Will you be the one to show it next?

ENGINE: V-Twin with Bosh Magneto

ENGINE NO: FORMWSN02223

MANUFACTURER: Merkel Light Motor Co.

MANUFACTURED: Pottstown, PA, USA

FEATURES: Horn, Kickstand, Luggage Rack

TOOL BOX: Troxel Mfg. Co., Elyria, OH, USA

HEAD LIGHT: "Mauretania"

TAIL LIGHT: Old Sol, Hawthorne Mfg. Co. Ltd., Bridgeport, CT, USA

SHOWS: 2010 Newport Concours dElegance