The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-06-26
NEW MOTORCYCLE
ARRIVES IN CITY
Twin Cylinder Merkel Creates
a Stir Among the
Enthusiasts
BY R. R. rHOMMEDIEU


Without the heralding generally
given a new model of an automobile.
there arrived in the city yesterday a
vehicle OF close kin TO the advanced
motor car-the 1909 twin cylinder
Markel motorcycles of the MANY
this year. none Of them bears out more
strongly the superior points of prog
ress in the art OF building self pro
PEELED vehicles than the Merkel 1t is
one of the classiest machines yet seen
here. The new model was received
yesterday by Ollier & Worthineton.
California agents for this make of
motorcycle. and was turned over to
Heise Bros. city agents.
George Mountz, San Francisco man
ayers of Ollier & Worthington, said
yesterday of the new model:
1.-THE frame construction is of the
celebrated loop design, originated by ].
F. MerkeI in 1902, and is recognized
as the standard design by all manufac-
turers today as being the only scien-
tific construction for vehicle of this
kind. This, combined with the spring
frame and the new trussed spring fork,
makes possible not only the highest
construction, but bears out the watch
word of the Merkel company, com
fort thus giving to the rider zest
and delight in the greatest of all sports,
motorcycling.
"The Merkel ball bearing motor has
never been equalled in simplicity and
durability 1t develops more power
under actual test than any motor Of it's
size in the world The fiywheels and
shaft are forged in one piece. The
automatic intake valves are of ex-
traordinarily large area and are easily
accessible. as are the exhaust valves
the latter being operated by cams
made integral with the shaft from the
solid bar, having bearings on both
sides.
THE Merkel people have demon
strated beyond any question of doubt
the great superiority of ball bearings
over the old style bronze or babbitt
bearings for motors.
THE carburetor is of the latest float
feed design. compensating and auto
matte. made to meet the specific con-
ditions of this particular motor and
works equally well under extreme
ranges of speed and load. The trans
mission is by a rubber V belt % de-
grees, III inches wide, with hardened
steel front pulley, made adjustable for
tightening the belt when necessary,
TO three 10 one or any intermediate Of
these The ignition is a high tension
ball bearing magnetic. gear driven, the
gears being inclosed and ball bearing
also The magnetic is driven from a
stand cast integral with the crank
case
The lubrica ton is secured by a
mechanically driven force feed oil
pump. entirely inclosed. and geared to
pump a positive amount of oil into the
crank case every SO revolutions of the
motor, regardless of its speed. The
quantity of oil can be regulated by the
simple turning of an adjustment screw.
sgThe Merkel people claim TO have not
only one of the fastest machines made,
but one that will give longer life. more
comfort and less repair bills than any
other motorcycle now on the market
All parts are thoroughly inspected and
are ground down to the .0001 part OF an
inch, so that they fit perfectly and re-
duce friction to a minimum The belt
drive insures perfect elasticity of driv-
ing and obviates the difficulty or oroRen
chains while on the road.
The new twin Merkel is on exhibition
at Heise Brothers, 1876 Van Ness avenue.
Alum Rock Climb
[SpeciaI Dispatch to The Call
SAN JOSE. June 25.-The final ar
rangements are now complete for the
hill climbing contest, which is to take
place Sunday morning at Alum rock
The contest will be held under the
auspices of the San Jose motor cycle
club, and a large list of entries mas
been secured for the various events,
including riders from the bay cities.
The prizes for the different classes
are as follows:
Glass 1. machines under "a horse
prize, merchandise order.
Glass 2. machines from TO II horse
prize. merchandise order.
Glass 8. machines over II horse
power-Ffrst prize. merchandise order.
Glass 4, free for all-First prize.
trophy donated by San Jose motor cycle
club.
follows: Judges. A. G. Banta and Will
liam f. Bracher; time keeper, Charles
Bean: starter. Frank Henderson,.