Oldtimer gallery. Motorcycles. The Merkel, Merkel.

Oldtimer picture gallery. Motorcycles. Pre-1932 USA makes.
The Merkel (1902-1908), Merkel (1908-1909).
3 VIII 1909 - late 1909, Merkel-Light Motor Co., Pottstown, Pennsylvania, USA.
1902 - 3 VIII 1909, Merkel Motor Co., Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.

Entrance Gallery Motorcycles Pre-1932 USA motorcycles

On 3 VIII 1909 the Light Mfg. & Foundry Co. bought famous Merkel Motor Co., organized the Merkel-Light Motor Co. and moved the equipment from Milwaukee to Pottstown. Models V and W were taken to the new 1909 combined model line. Later in 1909 old tank badges were changed to "Merkel-Light".

Motorcycles

1909 (early 1909 models - vertikal "Merkel" on the tank, some time after 3 VIII 1909 the Merkel-Light Motor Co. in Pottstown continued old Merkel models with oblique "Merkel" on the tank. Spring frame and fork. Model U goes from 1908 with some 1909 improvements, models W and V are completely new and differ only by engines, which are interchangeable. Model V has longer handlebars than W. New frame (models V and W), new style tank, new spring fork (all non-Special models), new handle bar, color - New London Smoke Grey, optional - royal blue or black.)
1909 Merkel Model U, 1-cyl., 3¹/₂hp, 26.96 cu. in. (441.8cc), bore 3.25", stroke 3.25", battery ignition, 1-speed, V-belt drive, 5...50 mph, $?, 16k photo, 58k photo.
1909 Merkel Model W, 1-cyl., 3¹/₂hp, 26.96 cu. in. (441.8cc), bore 3.25", stroke 3.25", Bosch magneto ignition, 1-speed, V-belt drive, 5...50 mph, $?, 90k photo, 33k photo (different magneto), 4k catalogue drawing.
1909 Merkel Model W Special, 1-cyl racer, 4hp, 30.38 cu. in. (497.9cc), bore 3.45", stroke 3.25", Bosch magneto ignition, 1-speed, belt drive, ? mph, $?.
1909 Merkel Model V, V2-cyl., 6¹/₂hp, 53.92 cu. in. (883.6cc), bore 3.25", stroke 3.25", Bosch magneto ignition, 1-speed, V-belt drive, 5...65 mph, $?, 32k photo, 20k photo, 46k 1911 catalogue photo, 77k catalogue drawing.
1909 Merkel Model V Special, V2-cyl. racer, 7hp, 60.76 cu. in. (995.7cc), bore 3.45", stroke 3.25", Bosch magneto ignition, 1-speed, belt drive, 5...70 mph, $?.
1908 (new motor, exhaust pipe going down, rear pulley of the belt has 9 holders nor 6, spring fork - $15 extra, color - London Smoke Grey, optional - Black striped, "Merkel" without "The" on the tank)
1908 Merkel 3 horse power, 1-cyl. F-head, 26.96 cu. in. (441.8cc), bore 3¹/₄", stroke 3¹/₄", battery ignition, 1-speed, flat belt drive, 5...50 mph, $210 (later $225), 88k photo, 30k photo.
1908 Merkel 3 horse power, 1-cyl. F-head, 26.96 cu. in. (441.8cc), bore 3¹/₄", stroke 3¹/₄", magneto ignition, 1-speed, flat belt drive, 5...50 mph, $250 (later $265), 105k photo, 83k photo.
1908 Merkel Model U racer, 1-cyl. F-head, 3hp, 26.96 cu. in. (441.8cc), bore 3¹/₄", stroke 3¹/₄", magneto ignition, 1-speed, flat belt drive, rigid frame, ? mph, $?, 68k photo.
1908 The Merkel 3hp, 1-cyl. F-head, 24.89 cu. in. (407.8cc), bore 3¹/₄", stroke 3", battery ignition, 1-speed, flat belt drive, 5...50 mph, $185, 43k photo (1907 motor, new 9 holders of the rear pulley, belt tension(?) lever, old "The Merkel" on the tank).
1907 (vertical cylinder, spring frame only, spring fork - $15 extra, separate exhaust pipe going forward-down-back, battery under the seatpost tube, full-length front mudgard on rigid fork models)
1907 The Merkel 2¹/₄hp, 1-cyl. F-head , 14.21 cu. in. (232.8cc), bore 2⁵/₈", stroke 2⁵/₈", battery ignition, 1-speed, flat belt drive, ? mph, $?.
1907 The Merkel 3hp, 1-cyl. F-head, 24.89 cu. in. (407.8cc), bore 3¹/₄", stroke 3", battery ignition, 1-speed, flat belt drive, 5...50 mph, $185, 75k photo, 119k poster, 55k poster (rigid fork, old battery).
1906 (new motor, the carburetor throttleis operated by the grip control on the handle bar, low rubber protection on the front mudgard, air pump in front of the rear wheel)
1906 The Merkel Model 6, 1-cyl. F-head, 2¹/₄hp, 14.21 cu. in. (232.8cc), bore 2⁵/₈", stroke 2⁵/₈", battery ignition, 1-speed, flat belt drive, ? mph, $150 rigid frame, $155 spring frame, 51k poster, 64k poster.
1906 The Merkel ? Model, 1-cyl. F-head, 3hp, 24.89 cu. in. (407.8cc), bore 3¹/₄", stroke 3", battery ignition, 1-speed, flat belt drive, ? mph, $? rigid frame, $? spring frame.
1905 (new "rocket" tank, full-length rear mudguard)
1905 The Merkel Model 5, 1-cyl. F-head, 2¹/₄hp, 14.21 cu. in. (232.8cc), bore 2⁵/₈", stroke 2⁵/₈", battery ignition, 1-speed, flat belt drive, ? mph, $150 rigid frame, $155 spring frame, 87k poster.
1904 (new carburetor, two mudguards and instrument bag on the rear wheel appeared, battery moved to over rear wheel)
1904 The Merkel, 1-cyl. F-head, 2¹/₄hp, 14.21 cu. in. (232.8cc), bore 2⁵/₈", stroke 2⁵/₈", battery ignition, 1-speed, flat belt drive, ? mph, $150 rigid frame, $155 spring frame, 129k photo.
1903 (loop frame, bigger tank)
1903 The Merkel, 1-cyl. F-head, 2¹/₄hp, 14.21 cu. in. (232.8cc), bore 2⁵/₈", stroke 2⁵/₈", battery ignition, 1-speed, flat belt drive, ? mph, $?, 75k photo.
1902 (bicycle frame, small tank, frame tube is used as exhaust tube)
1902 The Merkel, 1-cyl. F-head, 2¹/₄hp, 14.21 cu. in. (232.8cc), bore 2⁵/₈", stroke 2⁵/₈", battery ignition, 1-speed, flat belt drive, ? mph, $?, 28k patent from 6 X 1903, motor, 13k, carburetor, 10k.

Automobile engines

1906 Merkel, 106k poster.
1906 For Light Runabouts, 4-cyl. air cooled, 12...14hp, 134.70 cu. in. (2207.3cc), bore 3¹/₂", stroke 3¹/₂".
1906 For Light Runabouts, 4-cyl. water cooled, 14...16hp, 134.70 cu. in. (2207.3cc), bore 3¹/₂", stroke 3¹/₂".
1906 For Light Tonneau cars up to 2000 lbs. (654.9 kg), 4-cyl. water cooled, 20...22hp, 226.19 cu. in. (3706.7cc), bore 4", stroke 4¹/₂".
1906 For Large Touring cars, 4-cyl. water cooled, 35...40hp, 336.00 cu. in. (5506.1cc), bore 4⁵/₈", stroke 5".
1905
1905 Merkel Type H, 4-cyl. air cooled, 12...14hp/500...2500rpm, 134.70 cu. in. (2207.3cc), bore 2⁵/₈", stroke 2⁵/₈", magneto ignition, 99k poster, 182k poster.
1905 Merkel ? Type, 4-cyl. water cooled, 13...15hp, 134.70 cu. in. (2207.3cc), bore 2⁵/₈", stroke 2⁵/₈", ? ignition, 191k poster.

Photos and data are from:
Author's archive.
Standard Catalog of American Motorcycles 1898-1981 by Jerry Hatfield.
Cycle and Automobile Trade Journal, 1902, 1903, 1904, 1905, 1906, 1907, 1908.
eBay Canada.
eBay.
Motorcycle Memories.
HiFi Archiv.
WorthPoint.
The Flying Merkel.
Kruse International.
Hemmings Motor News.

What else in the net:
The Flying Merkel.

Thanks for help to Evgenii Pevzner (Moskva), motorcycle historian.

Entrance Gallery Motorcycles Pre-1932 USA motorcycles Sale Links

Last updated 30 VI 2021. Andrei Bogomolov. Contact Information.