Henderson Motorcycles Kl Streamline & Sidecar 1931
In 1911, brothers William G. and Thomas W. Henderson established the Henderson Motorcycle Company in Detroit, Michigan, and their first production model was launched in January 1912.
It was a 57ci (934cc), inlet-over-exhaust, in-line, four-cylinder motorcycle, the third four-cylinder model to be manufactured in the US. It was chain-driven and featured an Eclipse clutch and a folding hand starting crank. Its distinctively long 65 inch (1.65m) wheelbase made it comfortable and stable at speed and it was the largest and fastest motorcycle of its time, making it popular with sport riders and police departments.
Various improvements were introduced with successive models but despite the popularity of its products and the successes achieved in endurance events, by 1917 the Henderson company was in financial difficulty and it was sold to Ignaz Schwinn of Schwinn bicycle fame, who had purchased the Excelsior Motor and Manufacturing Company in 1911. Schwinn moved Henderson production to the Excelsior factory in Chicago.
The 1,301cc Model K series was launched in 1920 featuring electric lighting and a fully-enclosed chain. The ‘Streamline’ model was introduced in 1929 on the Model KJ. It featured leading-link front forks and had an illuminated speedometer set into the fuel tank. However, sales declined sharply during the depression and Schwinn decided to end Henderson and Excelsior motorcycle production in 1931.
This 1931 KL example is among the last Henderson motorcycles produced. It is equipped with a Goulding sidecar and has been restored to a high standard. It was acquired for the NZ Classic Motorcycles collection from a private vendor in Merritt Island, Florida in June, 2008.