NEWS and STORIES
Added on December 26th 2011
The section of ORIGINAL CATALOGS, now shows the 1909 Merkel sales brochure.
With courtesy of our friends at www.yesterdays.nl who were so kind to let us search their archives.
1909 was the first year that The Merkel's were produced by The Merkel Light Motor Company from Pottstown Ohio. Mr. Merkel had used the merger with The Light Manufacturing and Foundry Company to develop a range of very modern motorcycles with single and twin cilinder models combined with very well designed spring frames with spring forks. These models would become the bases of the high appreciation that Joseph Merkels products were to recieve both in daily use and on the race tracks.
Added on August 23rd 2011
A REGULAR SUNDAY MORNING.
Robin A.F. Olson sent us some beautifully preserved photographs, from a very old family album.
Here's one with his great grandfather Florian Petschnig, having a good time with his motorcycle friends in front of the garage near a brewery. Florian owned a Stanley Steamer repair shop in the Red Hook district of Brooklyn, which may be where these pictures were taken.
The motorcycles are on the next photo where Robins grandmother Catherine Petschnig and great aunt Etts, pose on two beautiful Flying Merkels. The pictures date from the 1920s.
1920s Florian Petschnig with MotorCycle Friends. Courtesy of Robin A.F.Olson, from Sandy Hook CT, owner of both photos.
1920s Catherine Petschnig and Aunt Etts. Courtesy of Robin A.F.Olson, from Sandy Hook CT, owner of both photos.
Added on June 30th 2011
The Flying Merkels of the Minneapolis park police.
Credits to "Lee Brothers, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board"
By courtesy of David C. Smith : "Minneapolis park police in the 1912 annual report of the Minneapolis Board of Park Commissioners. At least two "Flying Merkels" were used by the police. An independent park police force has often been cited as one reason for the great success of the Minneapolis park system." How did the park board use the Flying Merkels? See more in David Smith's Blog at http://minneapolisparkhistory.com/
Added on May 12th 2011
Margaret Gast, long distance bicycle record holder and only lady board-track rider in the world.
How a most remarkable woman on a Flying Merkel motorcycle made unforgettable history.
Read the story of "The Mile A Minute Girl" 
Margaret Gast with her Flying Merkel racer 1914, by courtesy of Jack Nagengast (www.nagengast.org)
Added April 17th 2011
For the enjoyment of all Merkel enthusiasts, Jeff Reppert sent us a picture of his great great grandfather with a Flying Merkel. Jeff guesses that this picture was taken in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania.
Thank you Jeff, for this great picture.
With courtesy of Jeff Reppert from Thurmont, Maryland owner of this picture.
This picture shows his great great grandfather.
Probably the picture was taken in Lebanon County Pennsylvania.
Date unknown.
Added April 2nd 2011
How can there be news on a motorcycle brand vanished nearly a century ago?
Well, we completely overhauled The Flying Merkel website, and made it all new and exciting.
Welcome to the renewed site. We hope you enjoy the added material in the photos and catalog sections. If you have historical information or other material about Merkel and his creations, we would very much appreciate it if we could add it to the site. We are preparing more material, so visit this site again soon!
Jos - Administrator
