Henderson Motorcycle

Henderson Motorcycle was an American motorcycle marque founded in Detroit by brothers William G. Henderson and Tom W. Henderson during the early twentieth-century expansion of motorcycling. Its defining product was a large inline four-cylinder motorcycle, a configuration that gave Henderson machines unusual smoothness, speed, and prestige in an era when most motorcycles used single- or twin-cylinder engines. The company’s first production machine, introduced for the 1912 season, used a 57-cubic-inch, 934 cc inlet-over-exhaust engine, chain drive, and a long wheelbase. It was marketed as a high-performance motorcycle at a price of $325. The marque developed quickly. Early models gained improved braking, revised forks, lower seating, larger engines, multi-speed transmissions, better lubrication, electric equipment, and increasingly sophisticated chassis components. Henderson motorcycles appealed both to recreational riders and to police departments, which valued their ability to maintain high speeds on traffic patrol. The brand also became associated with endurance and long-distance riding. In 1916–1917, Henderson machines were used in notable record attempts, including long-distance rides across the United States and other endurance demonstrations. Financial pressure arising during the First World War contributed to the Henderson company’s sale in 1917 to Ignaz Schwinn, whose Chicago-based business already manufactured bicycles and Excelsior motorcycles. Production was transferred to the Excelsior Motor Manufacturing & Supply Co. William Henderson initially remained involved, while Tom later pursued export work. Under Schwinn ownership, Henderson motorcycles were sold extensively outside the United States; because the Excelsior name was already in use in some foreign markets, certain export motorcycles were marketed as American-X. The Schwinn period produced the marque’s most technically important motorcycles. The 1920 Model K used a 1,301 cc side-valve four-cylinder engine, full-pressure lubrication, electric lighting, an enclosed chain, and an optional reverse gear intended particularly for sidecar use. Later DeLuxe models improved braking, pistons, cooling, gearing, instrumentation, and chassis design. Henderson’s reputation reached a high point in the early 1920s when police demonstrations and speed contests showed that its large four-cylinder machines could exceed 100 mph. The company also achieved major endurance records, reinforcing its image as one of America’s fastest and most durable motorcycle manufacturers. William Henderson left after disagreements over the direction of the heavier Model K and went on to establish Ace Motor Corporation. He died in 1922 while testing an Ace motorcycle. Henderson engineering subsequently continued under Arthur O. Lemon and later Arthur Constantine. Constantine led a major redesign that resulted in the 1929 Streamline, commonly identified as the KJ. With improved cooling, a revised valve layout, five main bearings, downdraft carburetion, leading-link forks, and an integrated illuminated speedometer, the KJ represented an advanced interpretation of the classic Henderson four-cylinder formula. The 1930–1931 KL Special increased output further and demonstrated speeds above 110 mph. Although Henderson remained one of the American motorcycle industry’s leading marques after the 1929 stock-market crash, the Great Depression severely altered the commercial environment. In 1931 Ignaz Schwinn decided to stop motorcycle production and concentrate on bicycles. Henderson manufacturing ended by September 1931, closing the original marque after roughly two decades. The motorcycles remain important collector vehicles and are remembered for combining large-displacement engines, high speed, long-distance ability, and police-service utility. A separate revival began in 1993 when Dan Hanlon obtained rights to the Excelsior-Henderson trademarks and established a company in Belle Plaine, Minnesota.…

Henderson emerged in Detroit in 1911, when William and Tom Henderson formed a company to commercialize William’s concept for a large four-cylinder motorcycle. A prototype was built that year, and the first public production model became available in January 1912. Its inline engine, long chassis, and chain drive established the architectural identity that would define the marque. Through successive models, Henderson added better forks, braking, gearing, lubrication, starting equipment, and electrical systems. The company’s machines quickly gained a reputation for speed. Riders used them in endurance and transcontinental attempts, while police departments adopted them for traffic patrol because their performance exceeded that of many contemporary motorcycles. The 1917 Model G introduced wet-sump lubrication and a three-speed transmission, but wartime supply difficulties and weakened sales damaged the company’s finances. The Henderson brothers sold the business to Ignaz Schwinn in 1917, and production moved to Excelsior’s Chicago facilities. Under Schwinn, Henderson became part of a larger American motorcycle operation. The Model H continued the four-cylinder line, followed by the 1919 Z and Z-2. The 1920 Model K was a major technical step, using a 1,301 cc engine with full-pressure lubrication, electric lighting, enclosed chain drive, and optional reverse gear. Its combination of power and durability strengthened Henderson’s appeal to sidecar users, touring riders, and law-enforcement agencies. The DeLuxe models of the 1920s brought further improvements to engines, frames, brakes, pistons, cooling, instrumentation, and suspension. Henderson’s police machines were capable of remarkable speeds, and a 1922 contest against Harley-Davidson helped make the marque’s performance reputation widely visible. The same year, Wells Bennett’s Henderson established a significant 24-hour endurance record at Tacoma Speedway. William Henderson’s departure, followed by his death in 1922 while testing an Ace, marked the end of his direct role in the company. Arthur O. Lemon and later Arthur Constantine directed engineering during the final phase. The 1929 Streamline KJ modernized the established four-cylinder formula with improved cooling, a five-main-bearing crankshaft, downdraft carburetion, leading-link forks, and integrated instrumentation. The 1930 KL Special raised performance still further and recorded speeds above 110 mph. These motorcycles kept Henderson near the front of the American market even as the Depression undermined demand. In 1931 Ignaz Schwinn abruptly ended motorcycle production, believing that the economic downturn could persist and choosing to focus the business on bicycles. Henderson production ceased by September. The original marque consequently became a historic and collectible name rather than a continuously operating manufacturer. The name was revived in a different form in 1993. Dan Hanlon secured Excelsior-Henderson trademark rights and established a Minnesota company that produced nearly 2,000 Super-X motorcycles between 1998 and 2000. These motorcycles used a modern 1,386 cc V-twin rather than the original Henderson inline-four layout. Financial and market difficulties ended that revival, leaving the historic Henderson motorcycles and the short-lived Super-X as separate parts of the brand’s legacy.

1. 2000Super-X production period ends

   The revival produced nearly 2,000 motorcycles between 1998 and 2000 before ending amid market and financial difficulties.

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2. 1998Super-X production begins

   The revival company began producing Super-X motorcycles powered by 1,386 cc V-twin engines.

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3. 1993Excelsior-Henderson revival founded

   Dan Hanlon secured trademark rights and founded a revival company in Belle Plaine, Minnesota.

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4. 1931Original production ended

   Schwinn stopped motorcycle production during the Great Depression and closed the Henderson line by September.

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5. 1930KL Special demonstrated

   Joe Petrali recorded an average of 112.61 mph in demonstrations of the high-performance KL Special.

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6. 1929Streamline KJ launched

   The KJ introduced extensive engineering and styling changes and could reach approximately 100 mph.

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7. 1922DeLuxe performance high point

   The DeLuxe achieved major police demonstration and endurance-record successes, including a notable 24-hour record by Wells Bennett.

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8. 1920Model K introduced

   The Model K added a 1,301 cc engine, full-pressure lubrication, electric lighting, enclosed chain drive, and optional reverse gear.

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9. 1917Sale to Ignaz Schwinn

   The Henderson brothers sold the company to Ignaz Schwinn, and production moved to Excelsior’s Chicago operation.

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10. 1912First production Henderson introduced

    The 57-cubic-inch, 934 cc four-cylinder Henderson became available to the public, establishing the marque’s core design identity.

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11. 1911Company formed and prototype built

    William and Tom Henderson formed the American Henderson Motorcycle Co. in Detroit and constructed a prototype inline-four motorcycle.

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High-performance American motorcycles emphasizing speed, smooth inline-four power, durability, endurance, and suitability for police and long-distance use.

• Henderson Model KInline-four motorcycle1920

  Introduced in 1920, the Model K used a 1,301 cc side-valve four-cylinder engine and was rated at roughly 18 horsepower. It incorporated full-pressure engine lubrication, electric lighting, an enclosed primary chain, robust frame construction, and an optional reverse gear for sidecar operation. The K became a central product of the Schwinn-era Henderson range and helped establish the marque as a durable, high-speed motorcycle suitable for touring and police service.

• Henderson DeLuxeHigh-performance inline-four motorcycle1922

  The DeLuxe models developed the Model K concept with improved carburetion, intake and exhaust systems, crankshaft and cylinder-head design, braking, seating, pistons, gearing, and instrumentation. The 1922 version was especially associated with police demonstrations and endurance records. Later versions, including the 1925 and 1927 updates, lowered the center of gravity, improved the frame and fuel tank, and raised engine performance.

• Henderson Streamline KJInline-four motorcycle1929

  The 1929 KJ, commonly called the Streamline, was a substantial redesign led by Arthur Constantine. It used improved cooling, a return to inlet-over-exhaust valve operation, a five-main-bearing crankshaft, downdraft carburetion, leading-link forks, and an illuminated speedometer integrated into the fuel tank. With approximately 40 horsepower and a claimed genuine top speed around 100 mph, it was Henderson’s principal late-1920s model.

• Henderson KL SpecialPolice and performance motorcycle1930

  Available in 1930 and 1931, the KL Special was a higher-performance derivative of the KJ. Its engine used higher-compression pistons and a larger carburetor and was rated at approximately 45 horsepower. The model became famous for Joe Petrali’s 1930 speed demonstration, in which the motorcycle averaged more than 112 mph over recorded runs. It represented the final development of the original Henderson four-cylinder line.

• Excelsior-Henderson Super-XV-twin motorcycle1998

  The Super-X was produced by the separate Excelsior-Henderson revival company founded by Dan Hanlon. Built between 1998 and 2000, it used a 1,386 cc V-twin engine rather than the inline-four architecture associated with the historic Henderson motorcycles. Nearly 2,000 motorcycles were produced before the revival ended during a difficult motorcycle-market period.

• 1993Excelsior-Henderson trademark revivalStrategy

  Dan Hanlon sought to revive the historic American motorcycle names in a modern market.

  What changed. Hanlon secured rights to the Excelsior-Henderson trademarks and founded a new company in Belle Plaine, Minnesota.

  Aftermath. The venture produced the Super-X from 1998 to 2000 but did not become a lasting motorcycle manufacturer.

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• 1931Termination of motorcycle productionStrategy

  Ignaz Schwinn judged that the Great Depression could continue for years and decided to reduce business commitments.

  What changed. Schwinn stopped Excelsior and Henderson motorcycle production and concentrated the business on bicycles.

  Aftermath. The original Henderson marque disappeared from production by September 1931 despite having a full order book at the time of the decision.

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• 1917Sale of Henderson to Excelsior owner Ignaz SchwinnM&A

  Wartime material pressures and weakened sales damaged Henderson’s financial position despite the marque’s performance reputation.

  What changed. William and Tom Henderson sold the company to Ignaz Schwinn, whose Excelsior operation moved production to Chicago.

  Aftermath. Henderson became part of a larger motorcycle group and gained broader domestic and international distribution.

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1. Henderson Motorcycle