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Flying Merkel

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Merkel by Miami company sold to Westfield company. Technically to purists it’s not really a true merkel but still a merkel to most...just do what you want to do with it. Just don’t say it’s a true merkel a knowledgeable collector will know and you could get #&@$ for it.
 
Merkel by Miami company sold to Westfield company. Technically to purists it’s not really a true merkel but still a merkel to most...just do what you want to do with it. Just don’t say it’s a true merkel a knowledgeable collector will know and you could get #&@$ for it.

Westfield bought out "Miami MFG". In doing so they got the rights to all of Miami's brand names. Once Westfield owned the names, they started selling bikes they make with "Miami" names. Including Flying Merkel, Racycle, Miami, Hudson, and a few others. Westfield did this for years with lots of other MFG as well.
 
The seat post bolt arrangement in the 1st post (orange frame) looks Westfield.
The bolt is so close to the post that it requires a slot or slab notched out to insert the post.
With the post inserted the bolt does not turn, because the post is in the way.

Don't know of another mfgr who used Westfield's seat post cluster thing.
 
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I know but to those “ purists” it technically not a real Miami merkel. I don’t see it but I’m sure there are a few who think that...lol ....post script that is in no way a merkel as stated in your eBay ad.. Cavant emptour
 
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Joe Merkel began producing bicycles in 1902.
Motorcycles in 1903. Sold his motorcycle biz
a few years later to the Light Manufacturing Co.


He then worked for Light as an inventor and engineer.
He was constantly upgrading and developing his Merkel
Light and (by now), his Flying Merkel machines.


Just like many motorheads of the here and now, he sought
to also improve power and reliability.


He sold what was his part of the business to Miami Cycle
and Manuf. Co, in 1911 ... and stayed on as a researcher
and developer of the Flying Merkel.


In 1912 ... Miami Cycle introduced the F-M bicycle.

While the F-M motorcycle was under his hand at Miami ...
the marque continued to develop by leaps and bounds.


The motored F-M earned quite a reputation at the track.

The last of the F-M motorcycles were produced in 1917.

It is thought that because of the many positive attributes
of that motorcycle during it's Miami Period ... well ...
more than a few bicycle collectors of today have a real
jones for owning a Flying Merkel Bicycle.


And ... from 1912 thru early 1917 ... the bicycles ... espec-
ially the motorbike (often called a bulldog) just did not
look like the ''drop-top tube'' motorbikes produced by
numerous competing companies.


If a collector likes the F-M bicycle 1912-1917 ... she/he
REALLY LIKES IT. And, understandably ... there are those
collectors who have a strong dislike for the frame design.


The Flying Merkel Bicycle ... is not for everyone.

..... patric


ej0315-211680_2  1911 f-m.jpg


1912 f-m.jpg
 
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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.
Frazier Cycle Company Lincoln,Neb. they sold FM and Miami Power Cycles photo circa 1913

Frazier Cycle Company 1.jpg
 
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