S-22720-0-1

319Property of a deceased’s estate1925 Henderson 1,301cc De Luxe FourRegistration no. DS 8914Frame no. 1177Engine no. D18387COne of the most charismatic names in American motorcyclinghistory, Henderson produced nothing but four-cylinder motorcyclesin the course of its 19-year existence. Founded by Tom and WilliamHenderson in Detroit in 1912, the firm passed into the control ofChicago-based cycle maker Ignaz Schwinn, owner of Excelsior, in1917. The Hendersons soon moved on to found the Ace motorcyclecompany - later taken over by Indian - and thereby had a handin the design of all the major American-built fours. Although earlymodels featured an unusually lengthy frame extending well forwardof the engine, the Henderson, like the contemporary Indian andHarley-Davidson, was an advanced design for its day. Displacing965cc initially, the air-cooled cylinders were arranged longitudinallyin the frame and employed mechanically operated ‘F-head’ (inletover-exhaust)valve gear. There was single-gear transmission butthe Henderson outclassed its rivals for convenience by having aclutch and a hand-crank starter instead of pedals. A shorter frame,folding kickstarter and three-speed sliding-gear transmission wereall Henderson features by 1917. Introduced for 1920, the Model Kbenefited from a redesigned 1,301cc sidevalve engine equipped withforced lubrication, a new twin-downtube frame, strengthened frontfork and enclosed rear chain. Modifications to the De Luxe (introducedfor 1922) mainly concentrated on improvements to the gearbox. Topspeed was a guaranteed 80mph, and with the optional alloy pistonsinstalled a De Luxe could touch 100mph, an astonishing performancefor the time, and one matched by few contemporary cars.This example of one of the most desirable of all Americanmotorcycles was imported from Canada in 1988 and first registeredto the late owner in April 1991 having been purchased at theAllington Castle auction in April 1990 (catalogue on file). Since thenthe Henderson has participated in the ‘Oude Klepper Glorie’ eventin Belgium (1993) and the 2014 Banbury Run (see photographs andcompetitor number on file). We are advised that it benefits from theexpert attention of Bill Healing, who rebuilt the engine, and PeteHarber, who was responsible for the paintwork. The machine isoffered with a history file containing import paperwork, technical/historical literature, VMCC dating certificate, old/current V5/V5Cdocuments, two MoT certificates (most recent expired 1994) and aninstruction manual. A spare wheel hub is included in the sale.£30,000 - 36,000€42,000 - 50,000102 | the spring stafford saleBidders must satisfy themselves as to the description and condition of each lotprior to bidding. All lots are sold “as is/where is” with all defects and faults.