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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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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
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Grandmother Catherine Petschnig and great aunt Etts with family friend in the 1920s, Brooklyn, NY Courtesy Robin A.F. Olson, Sandy Hook, CT
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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.
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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.
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Flying Merkel owned by J.C. Gerth, 1916 Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Port_Jarvis_Minisink_Valley_Hist_Society
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From the Digital Collections of the Utah State History, visit http://history.utah.gov/ research_and_collections/photos/ index.html
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From the Digital Collections of the Utah State History, visit http://history.utah.gov/ research_and_collections/photos/ index.html
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From the Digital Collections of the Utah State History, visit http://history.utah.gov/ research_and_collections/photos/ index.html
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From the Digital Collections of the Utah State History, visit http://history.utah.gov/ research_and_collections/photos/ index.html
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