Oldtimer gallery. Motorcycles. Merkel-Light.

Oldtimer picture gallery. Motorcycles. Pre-1932 USA makes. Merkel-Light.
1910, Merkel-Light Motor Co., Pottstown, Pennsylvania, USA.

Entrance Gallery Motorcycles Pre-1932 USA motorcycles

Advertised under "The Flying Merkel" trademark, but motorcycles carried Merkel-Light name on the tank, - 2-string "Merkel" over "Light" or 1-string "Merkel-Light".
W and V models differ only by engine, which are interchangeable.
Models of 1911 carried name "The Flying Merkel". Old poster with "Merkel-Light" on the tank still appeared in April 1911 issue of the "Popular Mechanics", but 1911 catalogues (prepared in 1910) contain "The Flying Merkel" tank record.

1910 (From the catalogue (looks like these are 1909 properties): new carburetor, new muffler with cut-out operated by foot, improved front pulley. Improved battery and magneto equipment on Model W. Optional free engine pulley. Models V and W: spring frame and fork. Model V has longer handlebars than W.)
   Merkel-Light Model A, Thor 1-cyl. F-head, 2¹/₂-2³/₄hp, 17.32 cu in (283.8cc), bore 2⁵/₈", stroke 3¹/₄", battery ignition, 1-speed, chain drive, 5...40 mph, $150, color Rubens red (option black), 48k photo, 45k photo.
   Merkel-Light Model W, 1-cyl., 4hp, 30.38 cu. in. (497.9cc), bore 3.45", stroke 3.25", battery ignition, 1-speed, V-belt drive, ? mph, $225, 95k photo.
   Merkel-Light Model W, 1-cyl., 4hp, 30.38 cu. in. (497.9cc), bore 3.45", stroke 3.25", Bosch magneto ignition, 1-speed, V-belt drive, ? mph, $250, 27k 1912 photo, 42k drawing.
   Merkel-Light Model W, 1-cyl. racer, 4hp, 30.38 cu. in. (497.9cc), bore 3.45", stroke 3.25", Bosch magneto ignition, 1-speed, V-belt drive, ? mph, $275.
   Merkel-Light Model V, V2-cyl., 6hp, 53.92 cu. in. (883.6cc), bore 3.25", stroke 3.25", Bosch magneto ignition, 1-speed, V-belt drive, 5...60 mph, $300, color orange (option royal blue), 42k poster.
   Merkel-Light Model V, V2-cyl., 7hp, 60.76 cu. in. (995.7cc), bore 3.45", stroke 3.25", Bosch magneto ignition, 1-speed, V-belt drive, 5...70 mph, $325, color orange (option royal blue), 93k 1911 photo, 81k photo, 50k photo.
   Merkel-Light Model V, V2-cyl. racer, 7hp, 60.76 cu. in. (995.7cc), bore 3.45", stroke 3.25", Bosch magneto ignition, 1-speed, V-belt drive, ? mph, $350, 5k photo.

Models prior the combining of the Merkel Motor Co. and the Light Mfg. & Foundry Co. on I 1909 carried names Merkel or Light. Merkel brought belt-driven models W and V, Light brought chain-driven model A. The 1909 catalogue of the Merkel Motor Co. shows old badges yet. Only in 1910 badges changed to "Merkel-Light".

Photos and data are from:
Author's archive.
Cycle and Automobile Trade Journal, 1910.
eBay.
Popular Mechanics, 1910, 1911.
The Flying Merkel.
MECUM Auctions.
Standard Catalog of American Motorcycles 1898-1981 by Jerry Hatfield.
The Hagley Digital Archives.
WorthPoint.

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 2 II 2022. Andrei Bogomolov. Contact Information.