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Anyone here own a Miami / Flying Merkel Bicycle?

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I can’t help a ton to nail down an exact year but I will say I have a few Miami bikes and the earliest…1915 is 5 digits, and 1919 ish and it’s 6 digits. So the only help I can give is 4 digits is probably pre 1915. Saw the Standard in person. Great bike!

1915
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1919
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I can’t help a ton to nail down an exact year but I will say I have a few Miami bikes and the earliest…1915 is 5 digits, and 1919 ish and it’s 6 digits. So the only help I can give is 4 digits is probably pre 1915. Saw the Standard in person. Great bike!
Thanks for the reply. I just received the bike yesterday. The hubs are what I think to be 1910, or maybe early teens. I don't see any evidence of it ever having fenders, which could point to early teens, OR, maybe it was entry level and didn't have fenders? But the paint and pin striping don't point to entry level. Early serial number. Crank hanger is non-split, and not offset. Anyone have a Standard brochure? Thanks again, @Goldenindian
 
Patric...very cool bike! I've spent the last few days studying this rare bike. Is it possible this is a Merkel built bike and not a Miami Cycle build? It doesn't have the Miami signature drop outs and the split bottom bracket. Yet it replicates the Flying Merkel motorcycle.

Joseph Merkel was among the most innovative of the pioneer motorcycle designers developing a patented spring front fork and the monoshock rear suspension, and your bike certainly has those winning characteristics; the rear mono spring, the sandwich bottom spring, the front spring actioned fork, plus that unique seat post...these all replicate the Merkel motorcycle!

"Miami Cycle Mfg. Co. began producing the Flying Merkel Motorcycle in 1911"

My research differs:

1900 Joseph Merkel started in the bicycle business manufacturing bicycle parts.

1901 Merkel began attaching small motors to the bicycles and the Merkel Motorcycle was born.

1902 Merkel set-up shop producing single cylinder motorcycles.

1905 Merkel engaged in competition and produced several racing machines.

1909 The company was purchased by the Light Manufacturing Company and moved to Pottstown Pennsylvania, producing machines with the "Merkel Light" and subsequently "The Flying Merkel".

1911 The Miami Cycle Manufacturing Company purchased Merkel, and transferred all operations to its Middletown, Ohio headquarters and continued building the Flying Merkel motorcycles and bicycles
 
I have a Sons of Merkel question and I’m wondering if this group of dedicated enthusiasts and experts could help with a question I have about the pre-badged Merkel double bar; specifically, the 1912-1916 variety. Would there have been a small hole drilled by the manufacturer in the bottom of the lowest top tube? I’m including a photo I sniped from this post. I circled the area in question in red.
As always, thank you for the help and the education.



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I have a Sons of Merkel question and I’m wondering if this group of dedicated enthusiasts and experts could help with a question I have about the pre-badged Merkel double bar; specifically, the 1912-1916 variety. Would there have been a small hole drilled by the manufacturer in the bottom of the lowest top tube? I’m including a photo I sniped from this post. I circled the area in question in red.
As always, thank you for the help and the education.



View attachment 2091970
My double bar Merkel doesn't have any holes drilled.
 
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