My father bought a used 1938 Indian 4 in 1941 when he was 17 which had its origins from this machine. Although he owned many Harleys thru the years the Indian 4 was always his favourite. Great post and that fella is a pretty good rider.
Frank Westfall! I did some work for that guy back in the day. Helped him shuttle classic machines from shop to shop, and the Hendersons were the crown jewels. He had a couple of Neracars, too, which are crazy cool machines.
Man, a guy could go his whole life without ever seeing one of these today, and this was it back then.. I imagine being in like 1927 and everyone’s ripping it on these beautiful machines
What's so astonishing is that the 1934 Henderson is much better than today's motorcycles. It has 53 horsepower, is electric smooth with no vibration (without using any rubber mounting) and also has an overdrive gear, so it just idles down the highway at high speed. Can you imagine that? They actually understood that you need an overdrive gear 80 years ago. But we still don't have an overdrive gear on today's bikes. The FJR1300 and the Triumph Rocket III and the new Kawasaki Z900, all have the wrong gear ratios for driving on the highway long distances.
Awesome! A friend of mine has a 1914 Henderson single speed, according to him one of 4 left in the world. He drove the Cannonball race with that bike a few years ago. We are from Germany, so he flew the bike all the way to the states to drive it through the whole country
I have a motorcycle project that is based on a extended bike frame and is surprisingly similar in proportion to this bike and its funny to watch other people get on it because of how small they look
What a great machine, have seen one here in New Zealand and was very impressed, motorcycle mecca invercargill New Zealand worthy of a visit, put it on your bucket list ladies and gentlemen
Really nice. My father's dad's family from Detroit maybe we're related being my last name is Henderson. The Kalamazoo air zoo has a really nice bike also. They have the bike and tell how the early planes used the Henderson motor because it was so reliable.
I just came across this channel 3 video's ago and I'm loving it....awesome old bikes that I will never see in person..I would like to have a 50's nimbus..but you cant get them in Canada
Great bike. I had a drawing of Henderson 4 in a book I was given when I was a kid. First time I can hear one running. By the way, it sound a little bit like a dry clutch Ducati at idle...except it is 80 years older.
My brother-in-law( BOBBY KULL of Mattoon ill. ) his family was extremely wealthy in my hometown…..! His father and both of his uncles ( OWNED ) , an incredible amount of antique motorcycles, but mostly cars…. His uncle Adolph Kull had Two completely restored Henderson motorcycles one was a 1912 Four-cylinder, the other one was a 1913 four-cylinder….❤️👍🏻 The Kull Family in my hometown, owned The Coca-Cola bottling plant, Kull Construction, Kull lumber, Kull Concrete company, Kull’s Warehouse sales, and Two “ High Doller Automobile restoration facilities, “ along with three warehouses full of their personal antique cars and motorcycles…. ! My brother-in-law, Bobby would let me drive several of the incredibly rare automobiles most people would only get to look at in a museum…..❤️👍🏻 I have pictures of both of the Henderson motorcycles. I LUSTED over them……😹😹😹
@ …. Me and my wife took several pictures years and years ago., if I find any photos of the motorcycles, I will have them duplicated and send them to you….👍🏻 As I understand it …. My nephew told me., when my brother-in-law, Bobby passed away, the two living brothers sold all of the cars and the motorcycles I believe at the Barrett car auction….! This was probably around 2015 , Alex, Bobby’s son, my nephew, said it took two days to sell off the vehicles… that does not surprise me…😃 I remember years ago when Bobby was living, I went to visit when Adolf decided he was going to” Re - Restore “ the 1913 Henderson …! I asked uncle Adolf, if he would be interested in selling the motorcycle… he did not say anything. He just laughed uncontrollably…..🙄. He most likely did not want to embarrass me by naming some astronomical price….! 😹😹😹 anyhow I’m sure they are in some extremely filthy rich, elite persons private collection… Both of these motorcycles were professionally restored by Kull Restoration…. I’m not prejudice. I have just never seen anybody this meticulous and exact when it came to restoring cars and motorcycles…. ! I do remember the 1913 Henderson’s new color was a Cream color, with brown or gold pen, stripe accent…. Absolutely stunning….. have a good one your friend Jeff Galey… ( The Jeff Galey Channel )
When I see a complete Henderson I imagine how many went to the land fill? Heath Aircraft made an adapter kit to use a propeller on airplanes. Sold plans through Popular mechanics
Imagine if the timeline had been different. And instead of the POS v-twin Harley engine, Henderson was the most famous American motorcycle, and giant longitudinal mounted inline 4 cylinder engines were a standard cruiser engine, with absolutely zero vibration, and an overdrive transmission that actually provided the correct gear ratios, unlike modern motorcycles with their lack of overdrive and too high of cruising RPM.
An inline 4 is so much better than what HD ever produced, it's hard to understand why HD is still making them. It took BMW a long time to figure this out, but they did and made my favorite bike, the K1200RS. Like the Henderson's, the crankshaft runs tandem to the frame, but the block is rotated 90°. And, the gearing is pretty good. It's designed to cruse at 120 MPH. I've put 54,000 miles on mine without any problems.
@@EDesigns_FL Woa! The BMW sounds amazing. I need to research it. I have never driven a BMW motorcycle. I've never liked V-Twin engines because they really are inferior in every way, with less low RPM smoothness and less high RPM smoothness. They can neither go slow or fast without chain lash or unnecessary vibration. An inline 4 cylinder motorcycle can drive in 6th gear at 25mph with absolute smoothness and no chain lash. The problem with modern bikes is the incorrect gear ratios, which are ideal for racing, and horrible for street driving.
@@Ritalie I've owned a lot of bikes, but the K1200RS is my favorite. It's not for everyone. It's taller than most bikes, which makes it impractical for short people. It's also on the heavy side, but still much lighter than a HD. In addition to the great drive train, it has a very unique and tight suspension. Unfortunately, BMW stopped producing tandem engine bikes and telelever suspensions, and has gone with a transverse arrangement with conventional suspensions, like the Japanese. The newer bikes are lighter and produce even more power, but they don't feel as nice. Still, if I can find more space in my garage, I'll probably pick-up a S1000RR ;-)
@@Ritalie 2003 & 2004. This was the final version of this model and they got everything right at the end of the run. They still made the GT version in 2005. This model was extremely popular for European police. If you decide to get one, make sure that you also get the saddlebags. They were an option, but if you're going to do any cruising, they're indispensable. Another option that you will want is the cruise control & heated grips. The next generation bikes, K1200S, are also very nice, but not the same.
Impressive. A beautiful survivor. Glad to see someone remembers that 4-cylinder bikes were not ALL Japanese. Maybe someday we'll see American-made Inline Fours again.
Great looking bike, I'm surprised they did not have a 2 speed gearbox. - That form of splash lubrication is used on my Honda 4 stroke lawnmower and my 2015 Tesla (differential and reduction gear train).
A few years later they did offer a two speed wheel hub, something like a bicycle. You can update old bikes with that two speed hub. By the 20s they had a two speed transmission.
i have seen this done on a split window beetle with a 25hp motor, jack up one rear wheel, put it in gear, 3rd i think, set the choke, turn the wheel, voila! running beetle.
Matt, Please give my kind regards to your tour docent professor Mr. White ; from Maine. He insisted upon trading one of your fine denim WTT shirts for my own OHTM Vol. shirt. We spoke with you as well walking into museum, as I was living in my VW West’y bus...
I love anything with an engine/motor and people who think electric is going to save the planet are super annoying, but you could put a nice size battery in a replica of that and have a pretty sweet electric bike.
I was a very lucky young man. As a teenager I got to ride a 1925 Henderson 4
Guys do you believe of falling in love from the first look... ? That’s what happened with me when I saw this motorbike.. WOW.. ❤️❤️❤️
It is good to see old iron running. Here at South Texas Motorcycle Museum in Edinburg Texas. We have a 1915 on display. So stop by in September.
My father bought a used 1938 Indian 4 in 1941 when he was 17 which had its origins from this machine. Although he owned many Harleys thru the years the Indian 4 was always his favourite. Great post and that fella is a pretty good rider.
Wow my grandma is 92 this year!
Fabulous, simply fabulous !
I Love Your Passion... Thanks for Sharing
It's also my Understanding that they used these Engines in Early Air Craft as well
One of my life goals now is to visit the museum and see these bikes in person. Thanks to your videos.
Love the whole history of the motorcycle
What a machine , especially for 1914 . I feel privileged just to see it on youtube .
OmG what a fine machine! Rideable anywhere today!
Frank Westfall! I did some work for that guy back in the day. Helped him shuttle classic machines from shop to shop, and the Hendersons were the crown jewels. He had a couple of Neracars, too, which are crazy cool machines.
Man, a guy could go his whole life without ever seeing one of these today, and this was it back then.. I imagine being in like 1927 and everyone’s ripping it on these beautiful machines
What's so astonishing is that the 1934 Henderson is much better than today's motorcycles. It has 53 horsepower, is electric smooth with no vibration (without using any rubber mounting) and also has an overdrive gear, so it just idles down the highway at high speed. Can you imagine that? They actually understood that you need an overdrive gear 80 years ago. But we still don't have an overdrive gear on today's bikes. The FJR1300 and the Triumph Rocket III and the new Kawasaki Z900, all have the wrong gear ratios for driving on the highway long distances.
I love old bikes can't wait to come see you guys 🤯
I have watched this several times and I am always amazed to see and hear this 100 plus year old machine being used as it should. Good Stuff!
How cool is that ! Amazing again in how it just fires right up 💪
Honda reliability Yankee style
Love that Henderson. Look at how simple and elegant the design is.
My absolute favourite bike of yours: just beautiful! 👍
Thank you and your dad and the rest of you for keeping up with the past, Wheels through time! 🚴♂️😎
Jay Leno of vintage motorcycles
I got your museum on my bucket list. Keep up the great work You all do.
th-cam.com/video/1893ARROAVs/w-d-xo.html
2020 come back
Awesome! A friend of mine has a 1914 Henderson single speed, according to him one of 4 left in the world. He drove the Cannonball race with that bike a few years ago.
We are from Germany, so he flew the bike all the way to the states to drive it through the whole country
you have an enviable job, every day a new adventure
Just stumbled across your channel. Really like it and the museum. I go there every time I am in the Carolinas. Great video showing the Henderson.
Imagine what Excelsior-Henderson would had come up with had they survived the Great Depression?
th-cam.com/video/1893ARROAVs/w-d-xo.html
2020 come back
Absolutely beautiful machine, you dont get the scale of it until you see someone on the bike, its very long, Thank you for sharing this video
I have a motorcycle project that is based on a extended bike frame and is surprisingly similar in proportion to this bike and its funny to watch other people get on it because of how small they look
everytime I see this bike I fall in love all over again.
What a machine.Built my own 2 stroke auto cycle based on designs like this and The Flying Mercal. One gears fine for a lot of fun.
I am at Frank Westfall's shop a couple times a week. His A model that won the 2016 Cannonball is currently at Maggie Valley. 👍
What a great machine, have seen one here in New Zealand and was very impressed, motorcycle mecca invercargill New Zealand worthy of a visit, put it on your bucket list ladies and gentlemen
What a gracious machine. I like to see the handlebars on different models and their features. I don't believe anyone has ever addressed that before .
Thanks for preserving American history
It is amazing what you guys do at Wheels through time ...
Really nice. My father's dad's family from Detroit maybe we're related being my last name is Henderson. The Kalamazoo air zoo has a really nice bike also. They have the bike and tell how the early planes used the Henderson motor because it was so reliable.
Engine Sounds incredible. Whadda beautiful bike😎
I just came across this channel 3 video's ago and I'm loving it....awesome old bikes that I will never see in person..I would like to have a 50's nimbus..but you cant get them in Canada
The best bit is you actually stated it and rode it.
Good simple fuel and spark .I bet it would be easy to fix on the side of the road with mabey a few spare parts in the travel bag. Great vedio thanks
Amazing. See you next month.
Great bike!
Love these bikes stunningly beautiful
Wow, what a bike. This one has character.
What a magnificent machine…..
Great bike. I had a drawing of Henderson 4 in a book I was given when I was a kid. First time I can hear one running.
By the way, it sound a little bit like a dry clutch Ducati at idle...except it is 80 years older.
Spin the Rear Wheel, Nice Starts Tight Up, Big Motor for the year and time.
What a beauty!
Thanks for sharing truly amazing machine
Beautiful.
That engine is so cute I'd put it into my bandit Suzuki frame anytime!
If you disengaged the clutch,how were you able to turn the engine over with the wheel??
Gorgeous.
What car had splash lubrication???
Absolute Spitze.wunderschön!
My brother-in-law( BOBBY KULL of Mattoon ill. ) his family was extremely wealthy in my hometown…..!
His father and both of his uncles ( OWNED ) , an incredible amount of antique motorcycles, but mostly cars….
His uncle Adolph Kull had Two completely restored Henderson motorcycles one was a 1912 Four-cylinder, the other one was a 1913 four-cylinder….❤️👍🏻 The Kull Family in my hometown, owned The Coca-Cola bottling plant, Kull Construction, Kull lumber, Kull Concrete company, Kull’s Warehouse sales, and Two “ High Doller Automobile restoration facilities, “ along with three warehouses full of their personal antique cars and motorcycles…. !
My brother-in-law, Bobby would let me drive several of the incredibly rare automobiles most people would only get to look at in a museum…..❤️👍🏻 I have pictures of both of the Henderson motorcycles. I LUSTED over them……😹😹😹
Would love to see pictures! Any idea what happened to those old bikes?
@ …. Me and my wife took several pictures years and years ago., if I find any photos of the motorcycles, I will have them duplicated and send them to you….👍🏻
As I understand it …. My nephew told me., when my brother-in-law, Bobby passed away, the two living brothers sold all of the cars and the motorcycles I believe at the Barrett car auction….! This was probably around 2015 , Alex, Bobby’s son, my nephew, said it took two days to sell off the vehicles… that does not surprise me…😃 I remember years ago when Bobby was living, I went to visit when Adolf decided he was going to” Re - Restore “ the 1913 Henderson …! I asked uncle Adolf, if he would be interested in selling the motorcycle… he did not say anything. He just laughed uncontrollably…..🙄. He most likely did not want to embarrass me by naming some astronomical price….! 😹😹😹 anyhow I’m sure they are in some extremely filthy rich, elite persons private collection…
Both of these motorcycles were professionally restored by Kull Restoration…. I’m not prejudice. I have just never seen anybody this meticulous and exact when it came to restoring cars and motorcycles…. ! I do remember the 1913 Henderson’s new color was a Cream color, with brown or gold pen, stripe accent…. Absolutely stunning….. have a good one your friend Jeff Galey…
( The Jeff Galey Channel )
Got a 27 and a 31 that are in great running shape
I love this channel
Beautiful bike
Beautiful
I would like to see a break down of the gearbox behind the engine 😎 that changes the direction of the drive.
When I see a complete Henderson I imagine how many went to the land fill?
Heath Aircraft made an adapter kit to use a propeller on airplanes.
Sold plans through Popular mechanics
Y'all are doing great videos
2 wheels = 4 cylinders and 4 wheels = 8 cylinders! Perfection!!
I'm sure that makes sense to you.
Awesome bike
What’s going on with the air filter?
The far forward mounted single floorboard must take a little getting used to. Gorgeous Henderson, though.
Imagine if the timeline had been different. And instead of the POS v-twin Harley engine, Henderson was the most famous American motorcycle, and giant longitudinal mounted inline 4 cylinder engines were a standard cruiser engine, with absolutely zero vibration, and an overdrive transmission that actually provided the correct gear ratios, unlike modern motorcycles with their lack of overdrive and too high of cruising RPM.
An inline 4 is so much better than what HD ever produced, it's hard to understand why HD is still making them. It took BMW a long time to figure this out, but they did and made my favorite bike, the K1200RS. Like the Henderson's, the crankshaft runs tandem to the frame, but the block is rotated 90°. And, the gearing is pretty good. It's designed to cruse at 120 MPH. I've put 54,000 miles on mine without any problems.
@@EDesigns_FL Woa! The BMW sounds amazing. I need to research it. I have never driven a BMW motorcycle. I've never liked V-Twin engines because they really are inferior in every way, with less low RPM smoothness and less high RPM smoothness. They can neither go slow or fast without chain lash or unnecessary vibration. An inline 4 cylinder motorcycle can drive in 6th gear at 25mph with absolute smoothness and no chain lash. The problem with modern bikes is the incorrect gear ratios, which are ideal for racing, and horrible for street driving.
@@Ritalie I've owned a lot of bikes, but the K1200RS is my favorite. It's not for everyone. It's taller than most bikes, which makes it impractical for short people. It's also on the heavy side, but still much lighter than a HD. In addition to the great drive train, it has a very unique and tight suspension. Unfortunately, BMW stopped producing tandem engine bikes and telelever suspensions, and has gone with a transverse arrangement with conventional suspensions, like the Japanese. The newer bikes are lighter and produce even more power, but they don't feel as nice. Still, if I can find more space in my garage, I'll probably pick-up a S1000RR ;-)
@@EDesigns_FL What years are the best K1200RS?
@@Ritalie 2003 & 2004. This was the final version of this model and they got everything right at the end of the run. They still made the GT version in 2005. This model was extremely popular for European police. If you decide to get one, make sure that you also get the saddlebags. They were an option, but if you're going to do any cruising, they're indispensable. Another option that you will want is the cruise control & heated grips.
The next generation bikes, K1200S, are also very nice, but not the same.
Impressive. A beautiful survivor. Glad to see someone remembers that 4-cylinder bikes were not ALL Japanese. Maybe someday we'll see American-made Inline Fours again.
The bike that should have been American Standard not Harley
@doomzday Wow, fuck yeah! awesome story mate thanks for sharing, Dave
If you put on a full face helmet and rode it no one would be able to tell it apart from a hayabusa
Talked to a man in 1980! Thats was 92,and he had a Henderson, and said it would twist badly when he turned the throttle.
@@UncleRobsGarage twisty twisty
Yes. Either Henderson or Crocker.
Always loved the Super X.
Wow buddy, just made feel like I was riding with you. Keep up the good work! Incredible Bike
That’s a beauty
Great looking bike, I'm surprised they did not have a 2 speed gearbox.
-
That form of splash lubrication is used on my Honda 4 stroke lawnmower and my 2015 Tesla (differential and reduction gear train).
A few years later they did offer a two speed wheel hub, something like a bicycle. You can update old bikes with that two speed hub. By the 20s they had a two speed transmission.
@@erichuff6945 Thank you for the info.
I assume 4 cylinder pot made it high revving so they thought who needs reduction on these when you can rev up to the moon
Fantastic
I want to watch every video you do dude. But you say...Ah...waaaay to fricking much!!! Damn!!
Hermosa maquina.
Love some 4
Uuuuhhhhhhh love it.
I wonder what adventures were had on those back in the day. Visit a lady, spot of fishing, a few country miles.
That bike is ridiculous and amazing at the same time.
Nice bike aaaaaa i love it would be a dream to have aaaaaaa it would cool to drive different i bet aaaaaaa .
I am excited to visit your facility. What STATE are you in?
Motorcycles must have freaked out homesteaders the first time they rolled across America. At night they would think it was a monster coming.
05:18 no way man 👏👏👏👏👏👏
i have seen this done on a split window beetle with a 25hp motor, jack up one rear wheel, put it in gear, 3rd i think, set the choke, turn the wheel, voila! running beetle.
Loved it!
I would love to have that bike.
Awesome 👍💯
Great clarity on the video. What are you shooting with?
Starts with 1 spin!😁
Drinking game: take a shot every time he says uhh
He's working on it in preparation for the start-up as he speaks which accounts for some of the umms.
is your dad still around? i really miss his show "whats in the barn".
Matt, Please give my kind regards to your tour docent professor Mr. White ; from Maine.
He insisted upon trading one of your fine denim WTT shirts for my own OHTM Vol. shirt.
We spoke with you as well walking into museum, as I was living in my VW West’y bus...
Does this man have the coolest job in the world, or what?
Subbed! Just came over from Sean at Bikes and Beards.
That's just gotta be a screamin' hoot to ride!
Damm!!! WHAT A SPEEDDEMNOM!!-
If someone reproduced these, I'd buy one in a second. I'm not a bike guy but I'm a THIS bike guy. Talk about design... damn.
So that Beatles song: Sgt. Pepper's, that says "The Hendersons will all be there.."; would be a reference to these folks?
I love anything with an engine/motor and people who think electric is going to save the planet are super annoying, but you could put a nice size battery in a replica of that and have a pretty sweet electric bike.
it no fair, you get t ride around in and on all this cool stuff
Крутой байк
👍
I knew a man who rode this model bike daily in the 1920's.