Thirty years ago I had a chance to buy a Flying Merkel board track bike. The owner would only sell it as part of a collection. Buying the entire collection was beyond my means at the time.
@shanechostetler9997
Жыл бұрын
A good friend of our family had one of these in his collection. Before he died, I got to go down to Las Vegas with him and see his whole collection get auctioned by Mecum. At that time, it was the largest antique American motorcycle collection owned by one person. I’m sure several museums bought some of his bikes.
@Oscar240z
2 жыл бұрын
Great video - very interesting. BTW V Strom are great bikes!!
@DetroitMicroSound
Жыл бұрын
How about the Hendersons now?
@queensapphire7717
Жыл бұрын
More like Bikes with gasoline motors.
@mulemule
Жыл бұрын
*The "Flying Merkel?" Isn't that a bedroom technique perfected by the ex-Chancellor after too much Jäger?* 🧐
@majormarshall588
Жыл бұрын
My 66 Honda S90 had 8 brake hp and would top out at 70 mph. lol. Excellent video
@terencefranks1688
Жыл бұрын
... i always thought that Merkel favoured a broomstick ! .....
@MarlinWilliams-ts5ul
6 ай бұрын
Bring back the Flying Merkel. Its an idea whose time has come ... again.
@eckyx9019
Жыл бұрын
Minutes ahead.....let's be honest.
@AmericanWoman1964
Жыл бұрын
Awesome vid. Awesome bike.
@georgedasilva2906
9 ай бұрын
To Provide Shuch A Statement Much Appereciation! (YOUNGSTER!)
@curtcaudle5900
Жыл бұрын
U know U know U know 😡
@harrygregory6227
Жыл бұрын
are there any modern machines
@RyanSauvageau-t8s
8 ай бұрын
🧡
@fernandocortes1187
Жыл бұрын
1:30 modelo2:10
@robertpocock26
Жыл бұрын
My grand father (John Thomas Pocock) owned and raced a Flying Merkel motorcycle. sadly, I have no photos of him racing or of him with his bike. However, I do have the memories of the many stories he used to share with me and his love of that motorcycle.
@AwDudeIDontKnow
Жыл бұрын
Maybe the Goldwing could fit into that advertisement
@indiopeltier9758
Жыл бұрын
Earkle
@ThisIsGoogle
Жыл бұрын
Tldr. It wasn't
@colinhockin344
Жыл бұрын
What about the British Brough Superior in this time.........only when it could do 100mph was it allowed to be sold
@xavierolle
7 ай бұрын
Damnn how beautiful are those Flying Merkels 😍😍 speciali the one with rounded tube gastank 😍😍😍🤤🤤🤤🤤
@rogerscottcathey
Жыл бұрын
Cool
@shotforshot5983
Жыл бұрын
Brakes?
@Sharkwedge
Жыл бұрын
As a german uhm I leave
@RafaelHabegger
Жыл бұрын
There's a flying pig joke hidden somewhere.
@XstonedmonkeyzX
Жыл бұрын
I think HONESTLY, a Foreblad SP or a MEW Goldwing CAN be put on that Merkel Sentence... But since a Fireblade SP is NOT a bike competing in COMFORT than technically No, but if it had the same views as a Goldwing, then yes... A goldwing is the best of the best and it IS EXTREMELY RELIABLE...
@alfabethev2.074
Жыл бұрын
Lovely story ! Tnx! Q: with a name like that , was he of german descent !?
@pliashmuldba
Жыл бұрын
Well i would still take a Nimbus.
@knight5197
Жыл бұрын
My grandfather had an Indian it was a gift from am American soldier My grandfather was a Russian soldier WW1 and WW2
@grahamhill6616
Жыл бұрын
Very nice & informative thank you, until the trite sh1te at the end with the Suzuki comparo and bean counting nonsense. We have abominations like the Vee Strom (& equivalent SUV tanks) because people keep buying the damn things.
@donwright3427
Жыл бұрын
Maldwyn Jones . Sounds Welsh
@jebise1126
Жыл бұрын
when i see flying merkel i think of mama angela on a broom...
@CaptBintang
Жыл бұрын
Why do you have an image of Blackpool Tower, realy very interested to know why this image was shown ie was there a connection with Mr william Llyons of Swallow cars, the founder of Jaguar cars located in Blackpool
@luiscardozo0000
Жыл бұрын
its a lot better because it was designed by real ingeniers not like the rest of the american builders bassiclly cowboys designs like harleys or indians
@leonardarola
Жыл бұрын
I want one.
@Jason_Quinn
Жыл бұрын
Somebody sell me a “Maldwyn Jones - 6” jacket please.
@seanobrien999
Жыл бұрын
Glenn Curtiss was ahead of Merkel. First V-Twin and Handlebar throttle in America- 1906
@seanobrien999
Жыл бұрын
Sorry, Curtiss' handlebar throttle was 1904
@rickreardon4163
Жыл бұрын
I saw one of the Flying Merkels in the classic orange paint at the National Motorcycle Museum in Anamoosa Iowa. Loved it some much I bought the Flying Merkel T Shirt and refrigerator magnet. If you ever get near this museum you should plan to spend the whole time they are opened there...there is so much to see!
@franzkoviakalak6981
2 жыл бұрын
Very different from a flying mirkin.
@JohnSmith-yv6eq
Жыл бұрын
Definitely different from a flying merkin.... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merkin
@danpos1971
Жыл бұрын
A friend of mine found a 1916 Indian Power Plus in an old barn. It mas complete except the engine was missing. all original paint, although somewhat rusted. It was a board walk racer. It was very cool to see in person and sit on it. Too bad the engine was missing..
@964cuplove
Жыл бұрын
Angela Merkel was from the same period… 😂😂😂🤣
@TheKitMurkit
Жыл бұрын
She had done bad politics already, can't imagine how much worse would be a flying one!
@waynedoyle5070
Жыл бұрын
I live 7 miles from the Middletown, OH factory where these were built. In fall of 1911 production was moved from Pottstown, PA to Middletown. Joe Merkel came along as part of the deal. Miami Cycle & Mfg Company were a well know bicycle manufacturer, brands such as Racycle & Miami. The 1912 design was continued while Joe Merkel completely redesigned the entire motorcycle, hence the rear monoshock suspension introduced in 1913. Production continued until about 1916 when the supply of German bearings dried up due to WW1. Bicycles were produced until 1922. I have 2 of the bicycles, a 1917 Miami & a 1920 Racycle, although I recently donated the Miami to the Middletown Historical Society to display in their museum.
@dirkdiggler5164
4 ай бұрын
I personally knew a man who worked at his father's dealership selling Flying Merkels in Peekskill, NY from 1915-1918. After which, they switched to selling automobiles. "We could only get them in yellow!", he told me, laughing.
@d-day4165
2 жыл бұрын
The quality of your vlog offerings has improved remarkably lately. You’re telling solid stories without filler. Good photos good supporting narrative. The history of Merkel was fascinating. Keep it up.
@stevegallagher687
2 жыл бұрын
Check out Timeless Motorcycle Co. They make a Flying Merkel clone part by part.
@terraplane49
2 жыл бұрын
I wrote a song, " The Ballad of Maldwyn Jones", as a tribute to my favourite ex-pat Welshman Merkel for ever.
@LucasChoate
2 жыл бұрын
This channel is criminally undersubscribed. The content is so good.
@therealzilch
11 ай бұрын
Another great history of a fascinating bike, thanks. While I've never ridden anything that old, the my very first powered vehicle was a WWII vintage Whizzer that we found at the dump, without engine or transmission, belt drive. My brother and I took an old lawnmower engine, made one speed reduction with belts and pulleys, and did the clutch the same way the early Merkel did at 1:22 in your video: an idler that tensioned the drive belt. Very crude but it worked, at least until our grumpy neighbor called the cops on us. The cops were nice but that was the end of our Whizzer excursions.
@alandavies55
2 жыл бұрын
There is a least one of these in the UK, I have seen it at several shows a few years back. Sounds great when it`s fired up.
@maxxedredlineproductions
2 жыл бұрын
I think it was just yesterday when I subbed and already legend-tier content! This channel is really underrated for the motorcycle community :D
@michaelabernathy7013
2 жыл бұрын
Another excellent presentation Bart. Two thumbs up!
@davem8836
Жыл бұрын
Am I the only one who sees that in 1901, everything was "decades ahead of its time?" lol If he'd built it in the 1870's, then yeah, it would have been ahead of its time.
@MrPPunch69
Жыл бұрын
No, not everthing. Like the Amish for example...😉
@jeffbarton4398
Жыл бұрын
Ah the good ole days when Americans were innovators and created top quality products.
@fearsomename4517
2 жыл бұрын
I watched board track racers at Wauseon Ohio and Davenport Iowa, such great race machines. Harley had what they called the wrecking crew, one member had a piglet and that's where the term "'HOG" came from. Cyclone also made a great racer. Bart you may want consider looking into Al Crocker and his story. Stay in the wind all you riders!
@richardsavoie1073
Жыл бұрын
Saw a crocker once. It was fantastic and ahead of it's time. Elwood smooth
@fearsomename4517
Жыл бұрын
@@richardsavoie1073 I saw a couple. Outstanding!
@colinmunro7337
Жыл бұрын
How old are you 110?
@colinmunro7337
Жыл бұрын
@@fearsomename4517 figured you were full of it😉
@fearsomename4517
Жыл бұрын
@@colinmunro7337 Look it up. I belong to the AMCA. Everything I said is true.
@cooldadtips6195
2 жыл бұрын
I don't usually comment, but I'd love to see a video from you about motorcycle racing history, from the 1st racetrack at Brooklands in 1907, that inspired boardtrack and oval racetracks of the USA.
@jeffmatson5616
Жыл бұрын
Awesome Job 💪! I love learning old Engineering in motorcycles beginning's. I still believe that innovations from the past can be Reevaluated into the best application's in Today's production's.. Great work's. Keep on Going.💪
@TalenGryphon
Жыл бұрын
I have no idea why, but these early machines, which were scarcely more that motorized bicycles, the spirit of innovation which birthed them, and the sheer STONES it took to ride them speaks to me far more than most modern motorcycles
@rickschunk5847
2 жыл бұрын
You missed the most advanced motorcycle of that period... the bevel driven overhead cam Cyclone. A 1000cc V-twin built in my home state of Minnesota. But overall good job. I love your postings. Rick
@fearsomename4517
2 жыл бұрын
Rick I mentioned the legendary Cyclone race machine. I've seen them in person, very rare and impressive.
@duellingscarguevara
Жыл бұрын
The Vincent black shadow had a mono-shock too. I sat on one once. (Next time I was in the shop, it had a “please do not sit on motorcycle sign”). 😂
@Antanix
Жыл бұрын
One of these was lost in the Top Mountain Crosspoint Motorcycle Museum fire. Two years ago.
@jen3800
Жыл бұрын
i want one now. all i need is 125 grand. anyone want to donate? ha ha ha...
@SedatedandRestrained
2 жыл бұрын
I'd never heard of Merkel but now I wish there was a modern version released so I could own one
@nachojimenez2420
Жыл бұрын
A vstrom at the pinnacle would cost like 40,000$ Not a fair comparison. Compare the Merkel to a bike that is trying to be at the pinnacle.
@noneofyourbizness
2 жыл бұрын
thing of BEAUTY
@timothyboles6457
Жыл бұрын
I have only seen 1 Flying Merkle. It was at the Sacramento Easy Riders show over a decade ago. It was a gorgeous bike. I think it was yellow with board track style handlebars.
@lexingtonconcord8751
2 жыл бұрын
Amazing piece of history! Thanks for sharing.
@MA-vr8gp
Жыл бұрын
You left out the part ...and at this point they moved production to Middletown, OH.
@davetheglidingbum
Жыл бұрын
DOT a British company. the name stood for Devoid Of Trouble.
@sirdeakia
Жыл бұрын
I never expected Angela's career to start such a long time ago
@grantroberts7065
Жыл бұрын
There was one of these in a second hand shop in Parkes, NSW. Australia.
@edvineyard1143
Жыл бұрын
I got to see one of these up close at Mecum auction, very interesting bike.
@jacquesnel8384
2 жыл бұрын
Great video ☝️
@devlinwalters7650
2 жыл бұрын
I wonder if Fred Merkel who raced Motorcycles in the USA was related.I think he rode MGP as well.Great vision and story,thanks.
@AlbertDongler
2 жыл бұрын
Fascinating. First time I've heard of this make. Thanks for putting this together!
@duellingscarguevara
Жыл бұрын
The smiles on those early bikers, say it all?.
@jdsstegman
2 жыл бұрын
Great video.
@My_internet_persona33
2 жыл бұрын
I really love these historical presentations. I was recently in the market for a chainsaw, so I did a lot of research to make sure i bought the right machine. I was surprised to learn there's never been a successful American chainsaw manufacturer. Great video. Keep crushing.
@rickmarlar4708
2 жыл бұрын
mcculloch and homelite were very successful chainsaw manufactures for many years
@caseysmith544
Жыл бұрын
really? I thought that Husqvarna made Chainsaws until 1980 in the USA? Now they are not, or they make the parts overseas and ship them to the USA for Manufacture.
@My_internet_persona33
Жыл бұрын
smith husqvarna is a swedish company. They may have done some manufacturing in the USA in the past, but they're not American company.
@richardkrasicki6086
Жыл бұрын
Homelike was a USA made.
@straybullitt
Жыл бұрын
McCulloch was a very successful US chainsaw manufacturer.... Amongst many other products. The brand is owned by Husqvarna now.
@writerconsidered
Жыл бұрын
There was a very early bike that had an engine mounted on the front wheel. Jay Leno did a video on it years and years ago. It cracked him up and he said " The engineering question no one ever asked." I bring this up as maybe something you might want to do a video on.
@declassifiedoffical
Жыл бұрын
Mengola i think
@wildstar365
Жыл бұрын
Awesome vid!! I live right outside of Pottstown, PA was great to see that up close shot of the engine made there!!
@HegelsOwl
2 жыл бұрын
Never seen this one that I recall. One of the most beautiful bikes I 've seen.
@markd1810
7 ай бұрын
They were the best engineered and built motorcycles of the time!
@richardsavoie1073
Жыл бұрын
Raced amateur flat track 4 15 yrs. Loved it. Got too old. Now it hardly exists Elwood smooth
@richardsavoie1073
Жыл бұрын
Placed joke ad for a mrkl 4 sale 16 yrs ago. $250. Bogus non exist phone. Paper that printed ad got calls from around the world. (Really). Had no idea that would happen was
@darrinslack1269
Жыл бұрын
great video bart , here`s a few more that you could add for various different reasons , HRD Vincent C ,Moto Rumi Little Ant,Ducati cruiser 1951
@Mr19thcenturyman
Жыл бұрын
Nice collection of vintage clips.
@fibboobbif
Жыл бұрын
Nomen est Omen... German Chancellor Angela Merkel was also 20 years ahead of her time... unfortunately going back in history. If only she had been supporting her name in motorcycle business
@alexmoore432
Жыл бұрын
Actually the American motorcycle scene is very much like it was 100 years ago a bit like American bikes
@billykuan
Жыл бұрын
It seems that the competition between the small companies created many innovations, that would be used by the larger companies in the end. Competition is good and competition between many is good, it would be a benefit to have it again in all our economic sectors.
@ellsworth1956
Жыл бұрын
So this is where Phineas and Ferb show got the flying mackerel from! I loved that episode.
@knight5197
Жыл бұрын
Wow Wow Thank you I enjoyed this channel
@erniemathews5085
2 жыл бұрын
Hard to believe good suspension ideas were ignored.
@JohnSmith-yv6eq
Жыл бұрын
Patents...20 years...forgotten about....until rediscovered 50 years later...
@kimeldiin1930
Жыл бұрын
The rear suspension is similar to the Vincent's two decades later...
@timbarnett3898
Жыл бұрын
I saw this or bike like it at an antique motorcycle show in Monterey, California. they were ahead of their time.
@PowerTom286
Жыл бұрын
Great Video, Buddy. Thanks for the making. Tom 😎
@seebarry4068
Жыл бұрын
Named after a windy up-skirt incident in the late 1800s.
@John-od9zp
Жыл бұрын
I think these merkel bikes should be put into production.
@kevinklei3005
Жыл бұрын
Working in a Auto manufacturing factory in the 1960 I remember seeing one there in a collection in South Australia . I always remember the odd name and orange paint job .. I think the bike is still the Birdwood motor museum in. South Australia .
@gislemark79
2 жыл бұрын
They WERE ahead and then they STAYED there. Today they are 30 years behind EVERYONE.
@Radugazon
Жыл бұрын
I am baffled by the cantilever like rear suspension....but in these days they had not yet the need for brakes.
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