Flying Merkel

[Blunderbuss]

Hello, I’m a motorcycle collector and I ended up with this bicycle with some Merkel motorcycle parts. I was told that it’s a Flying Merkel Bicycle, it’s got a Merkel decal with it, and someone put a ton of money and time into paint and nickel work. I’m not really a bicycle guy. What can you tell me, value, rarity, how difficult are parts to find. Apparently it came from a big bicycle collector before I got it.

 

[bike]

Let the fun begin! Nice boot item. Show picture o motorcycle! Thanks for posting here.

 

[DonChristie]

Build it and she shall ride!

 

[GiovanniLiCalsi]

https://thecabe.com/forum/pages/the_flying_merkel_bicycle/

 

[mongeese]

Let the scalping begin ....

 

[cyclingday]

Welcome to the Cabe!
It looks like you’ve inherited a really nice project.
It’s nice that most of the cosmetic work is already done.
Although that time and expense, doesn’t necessarily translate into value.
It’s value is in its historic content, and most of that has now been stripped away.
The value it has now, is in what it is.
Others here, can attest to that, much better than I.
A Flying Merkel, any Flying Merkel, is a wonderful thing, and what you have there, looks to be the rebirth of something very wonderful.
Enjoy!

 

[dave the wave]

that bike looks familiar.did the guy who restored it live in lincoln,Neb. name is scott? they sold Flying Merkel bicycles in lincoln. it might very well be a flying merkel circa 1912-1913,but we need more input from other owners to maybe confirm it.i use to have a picture of the business that sold them back then.value? $8000-$12,000 as it sits.but i am willing to bet it is a real merkel.

 

[hoofhearted]

I was told that it’s a Flying Merkel Bicycle ......

What can you tell me, .....


View attachment 959464

Young man ... I take no joy in sharing with you, that I truly believe
your machine is a WWI Columbia Military Model Bicycle ... and ...
the Chainring (front sprocket) is of a design not used by Miami Cycle.

Many collectors would like to own this frame ... and build it as a
Columbia Military model. On the other hand ... there are those that
walk among us that would build that very machine as a Flying Merkel
''Tribute Bicycle''.

Whatever identity you choose to impose on this machine ... well .. you
are in possession of a beautiful ''starter package''.

patric cafaro

 

[Blunderbuss]

It is from Lincoln Nebraska and I’m fairly certain the chainring isn’t original to the bike. There’s a small pile of other rear hub sprockets and other hubs, after reading the Merkel thread (all 37 pages) it seems there was quite a variety to these Flying Merkel Bicycles. Other than a chain ring, that isn’t on the bike, are there any other proofs?

 

[Blunderbuss]

that bike looks familiar.did the guy who restored it live in lincoln,Neb. name is scott? they sold Flying Merkel bicycles in lincoln. it might very well be a flying merkel circa 1912-1913,but we need more input from other owners to maybe confirm it.i use to have a picture of the business that sold them back then.value? $8000-$12,000 as it sits.but i am willing to bet it is a real merkel.

I don’t know the guys name but he wanted some very rare bicycle off of my friend who’s mostly into motorcycles so he traded him a Flying Merkel Bicycle for whatever the other super rare bicycle was. But all that did take place in Nebraska.