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ORIGINAL PHOTOS  .....continued 04......
The Flying Merkel and the Miami Cycle Manufacturing & Co. Middletown Ohio.

Flying Merkel motorcycles from ca.1912 until ca.1916.

After the Miami Cycle Manufacturing Co. purchased Merkel, the entire range of motorcycles was redesigned. For the year of 1913, the inlet valves were cam driven. A two-speed hub was available in the top model and the rear suspension had been modified. A two directional spring in a single tube with damping from friction elements around the main stay axle improved the riders comfort: "All roads are even for The Flying Merkel"

Other slogans to attract buyers were: "The Most Powerful Motorcycle in the World" and "If it passes you, it's a Flying Merkel".   

For the year of 1914, a self-starter mechanism was introduced, that turned out to be rather unreliable. The high purchase price of a Merkel slowed down sales, as mass produced cars became cheaper every year. A 1914 Flying Merkel V-Twin was listed in the catalog for $305 against Ford's Model-T with a price tag of $650. Within 3 years the Ford's price dropped to only $345 against the Merkel's $260.

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Depicted in this family photo with Flying Merkel are, Earl Lord (left) and his wife Ivy (Chaplin) Lord (centre), grandparents of Robert Lord, owner of this photo. The name of the gentleman on the right is not known. Apart from the perfect setting for a family picture, the Flying Merkel motorcycle as depicted here is probably from 1916. The front fender skirts were introduce that year. This will have been the last year of motorcycle production. The 9HP twin is either model 673 or 675. It has a two-speed transmission, footboards and dual rear brake. Model 675 would have had a kick-starter on the right side. As that will not be visible from the left, it cannot be determined whether this is a model 675 or 673. By courtesy of Robert Lord, Reading, PA.

Depicted in this family photo with Flying Merkel are, Earl Lord (left) and his wife Ivy (Chaplin) Lord (centre), grandparents of Robert Lord, owner of this photo. The name of the gentleman on the right is not known. Apart from the perfect setting for a family picture, the Flying Merkel motorcycle as depicted here is probably from 1916. The front fender skirts were introduce that year. This will have been the last year of motorcycle production. The 9HP twin is either model 673 or 675. It has a two-speed transmission, footboards and dual rear brake. Model 675 would have had a kick-starter on the right side. As that will not be visible from the left, it cannot be determined whether this is a model 675 or 673. By courtesy of Robert Lord, Reading, PA.

The dapper fellow on the Flying Merkel is Frederick Carl Rossow. He was born in October of 1897 and was married May 1, 1920.  Todd Johnson, his maternal Grandson, believes that this photo was taken before he was married, so that would make him between 18 and 22 years old when the photo was taken.  According to the 1920 census, he lived in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with his parents. That is probably where this picture was taken, or in the immediate neighborhood.   As this is the first and only picture that Todd has found of him on a motorcycle, he is not sure whether it was his or one of his buddies from the day. The Flying Merkel in the picture is a model from the 1913 til 1916 eara.  Courtesy of  Todd M. Johnson, Germantown, Wisconsin. owner of this photograph.

The dapper fellow on the Flying Merkel is Frederick Carl Rossow. He was born in October of 1897 and was married May 1, 1920. Todd Johnson, his maternal Grandson, believes that this photo was taken before he was married, so that would make him between 18 and 22 years old when the photo was taken. According to the 1920 census, he lived in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with his parents. That is probably where this picture was taken, or in the immediate neighborhood. As this is the first and only picture that Todd has found of him on a motorcycle, he is not sure whether it was his or one of his buddies from the day. The Flying Merkel in the picture is a model from the 1913 til 1916 eara. Courtesy of Todd M. Johnson, Germantown, Wisconsin. owner of this photograph.

Holmes Kizer, Great-Great uncle of Keith Kizer, sitting on his 1913 Flying Merkel. Photo most probably taken in the streets of down town Salt Lake City in 1917. Holmes parents moved to Salt Lake City in the late 1800 s. Photo courtesy of Keith Kizer.

Holmes Kizer, Great-Great uncle of Keith Kizer, sitting on his 1913 Flying Merkel. Photo most probably taken in the streets of down town Salt Lake City in 1917. Holmes parents moved to Salt Lake City in the late 1800 s. Photo courtesy of Keith Kizer.

Scene of a gentleman posing with a ca 1913 Flying Merkel motorcycle. Scan of an original post card from the family photo album. By courtesy of Donald Smith, born in Merkel, TX, now living in Lakewood , WA.

Scene of a gentleman posing with a ca 1913 Flying Merkel motorcycle. Scan of an original post card from the family photo album. By courtesy of Donald Smith, born in Merkel, TX, now living in Lakewood , WA.

Back of the post card. Note the inaccurate description on the card.

Back of the post card. Note the inaccurate description on the card.

Flying Merkel motorcycle with children and dog, 1915. By courtesy of Clancy\'s Classics.

Flying Merkel motorcycle with children and dog, 1915. By courtesy of Clancy\'s Classics.

Leroy Voorhees on a ca. 1913, 7 h.p. Flying Merkel, in front of his future wife’s house in Melrose Park area of Philadelphia, PA sometime before WWI. “In his younger days he apparently was a speed freak” says grandson Stephen Voorhees. “I have pictures of him on an Emblem, a Yale, and a Henderson in addition to this Merkel”. Leroy Voorhees was born in 1887 and died in 1973. By courtesy of Stephen Voorhees, Schnecksville, PA, owner of this photo.

Leroy Voorhees on a ca. 1913, 7 h.p. Flying Merkel, in front of his future wife’s house in Melrose Park area of Philadelphia, PA sometime before WWI. “In his younger days he apparently was a speed freak” says grandson Stephen Voorhees. “I have pictures of him on an Emblem, a Yale, and a Henderson in addition to this Merkel”. Leroy Voorhees was born in 1887 and died in 1973. By courtesy of Stephen Voorhees, Schnecksville, PA, owner of this photo.

Great grandfather Florian Petschnig, having a good time with his motorcycle friends in front of the garage near a brewery in the 1920s, Brooklyn, NY Courtesy Robin A.F. Olson, Sandy Hook, CT

Great grandfather Florian Petschnig, having a good time with his motorcycle friends in front of the garage near a brewery in the 1920s, Brooklyn, NY Courtesy Robin A.F. Olson, Sandy Hook, CT

Grandmother Catherine Petschnig and great aunt Etts with family friend in the 1920s, Brooklyn, NY Courtesy Robin A.F. Olson,  Sandy Hook, CT

Grandmother Catherine Petschnig and great aunt Etts with family friend in the 1920s, Brooklyn, NY Courtesy Robin A.F. Olson, Sandy Hook, CT

Perry Powell and his sister Bessie on a 1914(?) Belt drive Flying Merkel.. The Powell Brothers ran a motorcycle shop in Grand Island  Nebraska. The photo was taken in 1914 or 1915.  By courtesy of Bob Powell, Oregon City, OR.

Perry Powell and his sister Bessie on a 1914(?) Belt drive Flying Merkel.. The Powell Brothers ran a motorcycle shop in Grand Island Nebraska. The photo was taken in 1914 or 1915. By courtesy of Bob Powell, Oregon City, OR.

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.

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.

Flying Merkel owned by J.C. Gerth, 1916 Utrecht, The Netherlands

Flying Merkel owned by J.C. Gerth, 1916 Utrecht, The Netherlands

Port_Jarvis_Minisink_ Valley_Hist_Society

Port_Jarvis_Minisink_ Valley_Hist_Society

From the Digital Collections of the Utah State History,  visit http://history.utah.gov/ research _and_collections/photos/ index.html

From the Digital Collections of the Utah State History, visit http://history.utah.gov/ research _and_collections/photos/ index.html

From the Digital Collections of the Utah State History,  visit http://history.utah.gov/ research _and_collections/photos/ index.html

From the Digital Collections of the Utah State History, visit http://history.utah.gov/ research _and_collections/photos/ index.html

From the Digital Collections of the Utah State History,  visit http://history.utah.gov/ research _and_collections/photos/ index.html

From the Digital Collections of the Utah State History, visit http://history.utah.gov/ research _and_collections/photos/ index.html

From the Digital Collections of the Utah State History,  visit http://history.utah.gov /research_and _collections /photos/ index.html

From the Digital Collections of the Utah State History, visit http://history.utah.gov /research_and _collections /photos/ index.html