That would have been an Excelsior-Henderson (although it may have continued to be badged as a Henderson for a few years). Ignaz Schwinn, owner of Excelsior Motorcycles, had purchased Henderson over 7 years earlier and incorporated them into his growing motorcycle company. William Henderson (discouraged with Excelsior's direction) then struck out on his own to found the ACE motorcycle company in 1919. William would tragically die in 1922 in an accident while testing one of his new ACE motorcycles.
True and contrary to popular opinion, the original Excelsior-Henderson motorcycle company did not go out of business. Due to the horrible economy it was more of a business decision by the owner, Ignaz Schwinn, to simply stop making motorcycles in 1931. Because the economy made it almost impossible to sell enough motorcycles Ignaz and his son felt it would be prudent (since they were unable to find a buyer for its motorcycle division) to instead concentrate on the core business of producing Schwinn bicycles.
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.
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
If there is an original paint, motor, numbers matching. Could you imagine. Not bashing this one but far from original.... Sorry, I'm an "barn find" "original" type of guy.... I know it is impossible but I can steal can dream.
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.
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.
Origins for Indian's 4-cyclinder motorcycle came from the defunct ACE 4-cylinder motorcycle company which Indian purchased in 1927. Production was moved to Springfield, Massachusetts, and the motorcycle was marketed as the Indian Ace for one year. Once the designs began to be modified within Indian, the Ace name was discontinued. Having said that there was some Henderson provenance as the ACE 4-cyclinder was designed by William Henderson after his company (of the same name) was purchased by Excelsior in 1917.
Why is everyone & everything a "guy" with ya'll? Ain't ju ya'll go no gals up thar in yankee land? P.S. Don't move to Texas. Texas is full. Lord help us we'''re full!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My Uncle, Shelby (Francis) Henderson’s father was one of the Henderson bros. My uncle invented the video tape machine, patent with a few friends including Mr Dolby.
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...
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.
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 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
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.
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
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.
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
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
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 was a very lucky young man. As a teenager I got to ride a 1925 Henderson 4
That would have been an Excelsior-Henderson (although it may have continued to be badged as a Henderson for a few years). Ignaz Schwinn, owner of Excelsior Motorcycles, had purchased Henderson over 7 years earlier and incorporated them into his growing motorcycle company. William Henderson (discouraged with Excelsior's direction) then struck out on his own to found the ACE motorcycle company in 1919. William would tragically die in 1922 in an accident while testing one of his new ACE motorcycles.
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
True and contrary to popular opinion, the original Excelsior-Henderson motorcycle company did not go out of business. Due to the horrible economy it was more of a business decision by the owner, Ignaz Schwinn, to simply stop making motorcycles in 1931. Because the economy made it almost impossible to sell enough motorcycles Ignaz and his son felt it would be prudent (since they were unable to find a buyer for its motorcycle division) to instead concentrate on the core business of producing Schwinn bicycles.
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.
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.
Nice bike aaaaaa i love it would be a dream to have aaaaaaa it would cool to drive different i bet aaaaaaa .
I want to watch every video you do dude. But you say...Ah...waaaay to fricking much!!! Damn!!
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.
How cool is that ! Amazing again in how it just fires right up 💪
Honda reliability Yankee style
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
If there is an original paint, motor, numbers matching. Could you imagine. Not bashing this one but far from original.... Sorry, I'm an "barn find" "original" type of guy.... I know it is impossible but I can steal can dream.
I Love Your Passion... Thanks for Sharing
It's also my Understanding that they used these Engines in Early Air Craft as well
My absolute favourite bike of yours: just beautiful! 👍
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.
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
I love old bikes can't wait to come see you guys 🤯
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.
OmG what a fine machine! Rideable anywhere today!
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!
Origins for Indian's 4-cyclinder motorcycle came from the defunct ACE 4-cylinder motorcycle company which Indian purchased in 1927. Production was moved to Springfield, Massachusetts, and the motorcycle was marketed as the Indian Ace for one year. Once the designs began to be modified within Indian, the Ace name was discontinued. Having said that there was some Henderson provenance as the ACE 4-cyclinder was designed by William Henderson after his company (of the same name) was purchased by Excelsior in 1917.
What a machine , especially for 1914 . I feel privileged just to see it on youtube .
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. 👍
The far forward mounted single floorboard must take a little getting used to. Gorgeous Henderson, though.
Love the whole history of the motorcycle
What car had splash lubrication???
Why is everyone & everything a "guy" with ya'll? Ain't ju ya'll go no gals up thar in yankee land? P.S. Don't move to Texas. Texas is full. Lord help us we'''re full!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Uuuuhhhhhhh love it.
One of my life goals now is to visit the museum and see these bikes in person. Thanks to your videos.
Fabulous, simply fabulous !
What’s going on with the air filter?
My Uncle, Shelby (Francis) Henderson’s father was one of the Henderson bros. My uncle invented the video tape machine, patent with a few friends including Mr Dolby.
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...
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
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.
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.
So that Beatles song: Sgt. Pepper's, that says "The Hendersons will all be there.."; would be a reference to these folks?
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.
Great bike!
Motorcycles must have freaked out homesteaders the first time they rolled across America. At night they would think it was a monster coming.
No matter what video You say uhh after every other word stop doing that makes it very difficult to follow what your saying super bad habit
Крутой байк
you need to learn a new word for primative
Lol agreed
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.
That engine is so cute I'd put it into my bandit Suzuki frame anytime!
Beautiful
Spin the Rear Wheel, Nice Starts Tight Up, Big Motor for the year and time.
Uhhh I uhhh would uhhh like uhhh to uhhh say uhhh...uhhh...uhhh...uhhh...uhhh...uhhh...
Engine Sounds incredible. Whadda beautiful bike😎
Love that Henderson. Look at how simple and elegant the design is.
I would like to see a break down of the gearbox behind the engine 😎 that changes the direction of the drive.
If you disengaged the clutch,how were you able to turn the engine over with the wheel??
Wasn't the Henderson preferred by the police for patrol use ?
I'm about to ruin the video:
He says "Uhhhhhh" every 2 seconds.
Beautiful bike though
LOL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :-)
th-cam.com/video/1893ARROAVs/w-d-xo.html
2020 come back
Thank you and your dad and the rest of you for keeping up with the past, Wheels through time! 🚴♂️😎
Jay Leno of vintage motorcycles
Why can't We make Another One for US Today???
Subbed! Just came over from Sean at Bikes and Beards.
Theres room for an inline 6 in that frame. Why that space ? Anyone?
I knew a man who rode this model bike daily in the 1920's.
Wow! Very noisy, motorcycles today are so refined.
Take it for a ride? That was a full three seconds !
I love how long it is. Must ride very smooth. The motor i know is awesome but to me it sounds like a tractor. Just a opinion don't get all triggered.
Matthew Poole like a tractor....wonderful.....!
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
that engine should have been detailed to look as nice as the rest of the bike.
Am I the only one low-key bothered by the amounts of "ouhh"
How Harley god Look....from Germany ....
Does this man have the coolest job in the world, or what?
👍
How does one ride a motorcycle around the world
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.
ya band of fools...destroyed it by painting it.....
I found the Patina Nazi.
Amazing. See you next month.
One thousand cc? Wow.... Early motorcycles....real seat of the pants gravity bound flying.
Kinda sounds like a diesel at idle with all that valve noise
forgot to mention, only one thing missing, me riding it
Beautiful bike . Say uhh less tho
Wow buddy, just made feel like I was riding with you. Keep up the good work! Incredible Bike
Damm!!! WHAT A SPEEDDEMNOM!!-
I'm dueling all over.
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
magnito, any thing after that is not my style
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.
Straight 4 smoothness
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.
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
I wonder what adventures were had on those back in the day. Visit a lady, spot of fishing, a few country miles.
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
Why da hell he sayin -uh- so god dam much
You need an old oilcan to oil her up man
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.
wow whites was so smart
I am excited to visit your facility. What STATE are you in?
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
My Hayabusa is faster
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!
Uuhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh......................
I love this channel
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 .
Hermosa maquina.
Get rid of the beard mate