Flying Merkel Inc.

Another fun Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride. Amazing to ride around the city with a police es**rt and see the city a different way. And for a good cause.
photo by

Had the pleasure of seeing this beauty at the recently. 1914 Flying Merkel racer.

The was fun this year. Thanks all that participated and made the nyc ride the always fun event that it is. Here’s a throwback to last year and excellent photo of me and the .

Question for those original paint Flying Merkel owners - what paint color do you think is the modern equivalent? RAL, Pantone, or paint code?

A bit of a ‘holy grail’ of a Flying Merkel is going on sale via auction (Bonhams) - this 1913 Merkel was formerly owned by Bud Ekins who was known for his stunt work (most famously on the Great Escape) and friendship with Steve McQueen. It was then purchased by brit Vic Norman. It has quite the story and is all (the parts that matter) original. So cool, and quite a pretty penny.

This incredible time-warp 1913 Flying Merkel 996cc Twin Seventy-one 471 was acquired by Vic Norman in 1998 from none other than Bud Ekins (receipts on file). Vic’s work routinely took him to California for the air show season, and he and his dear friend Alain De Cadenet would often ride over to Bud Ekins’ place. A consummate off-road racer, bike restorer, motorcycle dealer, occasional stunt rider, and all-American hero, Ekins was a close friend of actor Steve McQueen and performed the famous motorcycle jump (as McQueen’s stunt double) in the movie The Great Escape. (Although the movie was set in WW2, Bud’s bike was in fact a post-war Triumph dating from 1962).

More history on the link.

https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/29728/lot/305/formerly-the-property-of-the-late-bud-ekins-1913-flying-merkel-995cc-twin-seventy-one-471-engine-no-2x9397/