1911 Flying Merkel 50/50 V-Twin (Project)

1911 Flying Merkel 50-50 V-Twin DSC01208 This is the bike Dick went to California to buy but was outbid on. He has recently purchased a "basket case" version of the same bike, and plans to make it even...
This is the bike Dick went to California to buy but was outbid on. He has recently purchased a "basket case" version of the same bike, and plans to make it even better than the one pictured.
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1911 Flying Merkel 50-50 V-Twin DSC01202 This is the bike Dick went to California to buy but was outbid on. He has recently purchased a "basket case" version of the same bike, and plans to make it even...
This is the bike Dick went to California to buy but was outbid on. He has recently purchased a "basket case" version of the same bike, and plans to make it even better than the one pictured.
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1911 Flying Merkel 50-50 V-Twin DSC01398 6 HP IOE Atmospheric Intake Mechanical Exhaust Valve Direct Belt Drive With Eclipse Clutch Sprung Girder Front Fork Coil Spring Swing Arm Rear Frame Parts shown...
6 HP IOE Atmospheric Intake Mechanical Exhaust Valve Direct Belt Drive With Eclipse Clutch Sprung Girder Front Fork Coil Spring Swing Arm Rear Frame

Parts shown in photos are frame, front forks, gas tank, front and rear wheels, seat, handle bars, and front and rear fenders, exhaust with muffler, front and rear hubs plus miscellaneous parts.
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1911 Flying Merkel 50-50 V-Twin DSC01399 6 HP IOE Atmospheric Intake Mechanical Exhaust Valve Direct Belt Drive With Eclipse Clutch Sprung Girder Front Fork Coil Spring Swing Arm Rear Frame Parts shown...
6 HP IOE Atmospheric Intake Mechanical Exhaust Valve Direct Belt Drive With Eclipse Clutch Sprung Girder Front Fork Coil Spring Swing Arm Rear Frame

Parts shown in photos are frame, front forks, gas tank, front and rear wheels, seat, handle bars, and front and rear fenders, exhaust with muffler, front and rear hubs plus miscellaneous parts.
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1911 Flying Merkel 50-50 V-Twin DSC01397 Engine and clutch with the very rare Heikert carburetor (the cylinder heads have already been removed and are being repaired for minor fin damage).
Engine and clutch with the very rare Heikert carburetor (the cylinder heads have already been removed and are being repaired for minor fin damage).
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1911 Flying Merkel 50-50 V-Twin DSC01457 Repaired and replated.
Repaired and replated.
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1911 Flying Merkel 50-50 V-Twin DSC01454 Many small parts back from nickel plating shop.
Many small parts back from nickel plating shop.
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1911 Flying Merkel 50-50 V-Twin DSC01443 Complete and rare exhaust system miraculously was included with the project "basket" of parts. (before)
Complete and rare exhaust system miraculously was included with the project "basket" of parts. (before)
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1911 Flying Merkel 50-50 V-Twin DSC01460 Exhaust system replated and assembled. (after)
Exhaust system replated and assembled. (after)
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1911 Flying Merkel 50-50 V-Twin DSC01426 Very rare rear hub and sprocket. (before)
Very rare rear hub and sprocket. (before)
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1911 Flying Merkel 50-50 V-Twin DSC01459 Rear hub and sprocket. (after)
Rear hub and sprocket. (after)
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1911 Flying Merkel 50-50 V-Twin DSC01455 Gas tank after being glass bead blasted. Ready for paint.
Gas tank after being glass bead blasted. Ready for paint.
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1911 Flying Merkel 50-50 V-Twin DSC01476 Newly painted loop frame, front forks, and rear stand ready for the engine,wheels, and gas tank.
Newly painted loop frame, front forks, and rear stand ready for the engine,wheels, and gas tank.
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1911 Flying Merkel 50-50 V-Twin DSC01474 All the fork hardware has been replated and returned to the project.
All the fork hardware has been replated and returned to the project.
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1911 Flying Merkel 50-50 V-Twin DSC01498 Restored handlebars and hand grips attached.
Restored handlebars and hand grips attached.
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1911 Flying Merkel 50-50 V-Twin DSC01530 Troxel seat has been prepared and awaits leather.
Troxel seat has been prepared and awaits leather.
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1911 Flying Merkel 50-50 V-Twin DSC01534 Painted gas tank and brackets attached to frame.
Painted gas tank and brackets attached to frame.
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1911 Flying Merkel 50-50 V-Twin DSC01536 New nickel plated gas tank fixtures add to the beauty of the tank.
New nickel plated gas tank fixtures add to the beauty of the tank.
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1911 Flying Merkel 50-50 V-Twin DSC01537 A local sign maker took an impression of the original "The Flying Merkel" off the tank before sandblasting and reproducing the decals.
A local sign maker took an impression of the original "The Flying Merkel" off the tank before sandblasting and reproducing the decals.
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1911 Flying Merkel 50-50 V-Twin DSC01541 Front forks complete with new nickel plated parts and decal.
Front forks complete with new nickel plated parts and decal.
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1911 Flying Merkel 50-50 V-Twin merkcrop
Engine renickeled and polished. Almost ready to be placed into the frame.
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1911 Flying Merkel 50-50 V-Twin DSC01588
Lower end returned to frame. Work done includes the following: Fly wheel trued, connecting rods indexed, new outer case bearings and cam bushings, connecting rod bearings, new site glass and stainless fasteners. Cases glass beaded and high polished. Top end work is currently being done and should be ready in a few weeks.
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1911 Flying Merkel 50-50 V-Twin DSC01611
New respoked rim and all white tire adds to the beauty of this restoration. Note 1911 Merkel #2 in the back ground.
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1911 Flying Merkel 50-50 V-Twin DSC01642
Left side view of the pedal crank assembly with tension spring.
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1911 Flying Merkel 50-50 V-Twin DSC01643
Right side view of pedal crank assembly displaying new nickel plated sprocket, pedal crankshaft, pedal arms and pedals.
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1911 Flying Merkel 50-50 V-Twin DSC01644
Restored swing arm caps back in place.
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1911 Flying Merkel 50-50 V-Twin DSC01695
Respoked rear wheel, brake hub, and tire really add to the progress of this restoration.
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1911 Flying Merkel 50-50 V-Twin DSC01696
Full right side view of frame and wheels.
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1911 Flying Merkel 50-50 V-Twin DSC01698
The engine had to be removed to allow authentic "block" style pin striping to be applied.
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1911 Flying Merkel 50-50 V-Twin DSC01701
View of left side pin striping.
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1911 Flying Merkel 50-50 V-Twin DSC01722
Sean just after fitting the completed engine to the newly painted and pin striped frame.
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1911 Flying Merkel 50-50 V-Twin DSC01728
Rear fender and brackets being custom fitted before paint work.
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1911 Flying Merkel 50-50 V-Twin DSC01723
After fitting the rear wheel and fender, we have discovered that the rear "swing arm" section is bent and must be repaired. This means complete disassembly, heating and straightening and then a complete repainting. No one said it was going to be easy.
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1911 Flying Merkel 50-50 V-Twin DSC01727
Gas tank and front forks after pin striping completed.
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1911 Flying Merkel 50-50 V-Twin DSC01850
We got lucky and were able to repair and straighten the rear swing arm without removing it from the frame. It is now perfect and true.
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1911 Flying Merkel 50-50 V-Twin DSC01852
Front fender (Right Side View) fitted, painted and striped.
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1911 Flying Merkel 50-50 V-Twin DSC01853
Front fender (Left Side View) painted, striped and attached with nickel plated bracket.
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1911 Flying Merkel 50-50 V-Twin DSC01918
Left side view of rear fender and brackets custom fitted to this frame before paint and striping.
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1911 Flying Merkel 50-50 V-Twin DSC01919
Rear fender right side.
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1911 Flying Merkel 50-50 V-Twin DSC02040
Rear fender in place after paint and striping.
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1911 Flying Merkel 50-50 V-Twin DSC02182
Restored "Troxel" seat back from the trim shop and mounted.
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1911 Flying Merkel 50-50 V-Twin DSC02185
Restored "Troxel" seat back from the trim shop and mounted.
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1911 Flying Merkel 50-50 V-Twin DSC02587
New clutch and pulley with leather v-belt fitted to the bike.
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1911 Flying Merkel 50-50 V-Twin DSC03254
We were happy to find this very beautiful luggage rack at Oley this year at Dave Leightner's stand.
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1911 Flying Merkel 50-50 V-Twin DSC03307
Bob Fay our in house fabricator of difficult parts supplied this beautiful brass solar light bracket.
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