Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/787665
68 nMarch 2017n www.thunderpress.net THUNDER PRESS somebody else do all that and bought what I wanted." Which brings us back to the beautiful orange Merkel that Dick Olhoff and Lonnie Isam Sr. restored. The rare example of a motorcycle from the golden era of American racing, the beautiful racer is thought to be the very machine used in author/historian Steven Wright's book American Racer. Mike bought two bikes for him- self while in Vegas, a 1911 H-D and the Merkel, as well as a 1942 WLA for his cousin who collects military vehicles. He also bought a Yamaha for a friend who had a similar bike back in high school. And while this was certainly not Mike's fi rst auction, it was the fi rst time he'd taken along his 26-year-old son, Steve. When asked if the two planned to return to Vegas for Mecum's June auction, Mike chuckled. "He really had a good time, too, but he's getting married in June so I'll have to see what all is going on around that time. I sure can't miss the wedding! I'm not sure I'll be able to get away without him anymore now, though." 4 This beautiful Flying Merkel race bike is thought to be the exact motorcycle pictured in historian Steve Wright's book, American Racer Mike Koehnen Continued from page 38