The Vintage Motorcycles
Specialists in antique, classic, veteran and vintage motorcycles.
Specialists in antique, classic, veteran and vintage motorcycles.
Henderson motorcycles were among the most advanced American motorcycles produced during the early twentieth century. Founded in Detroit in 1911 by brothers Tom and William Henderson, the company quickly became famous for building powerful motorcycles powered by inline four-cylinder engines.
At a time when most motorcycles used single-cylinder or V-twin engines, Henderson introduced large four-cylinder engines that delivered exceptional smoothness and power. These motorcycles were designed primarily for long-distance touring and high-speed road riding.
Henderson motorcycles later became part of the Excelsior Motor Manufacturing Company of Chicago, which continued production of the brand until 1931. Today Henderson motorcycles are considered some of the most impressive and collectible early American motorcycles.
| Model | Production Years | Engine Type | Capacity | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Henderson Model A | 1912-1913 | Inline four-cylinder | 965cc | Touring |
| Henderson Model B | 1913-1914 | Inline four-cylinder | 965cc | Touring |
| Henderson Model C | 1914-1915 | Inline four-cylinder | 965cc | Touring |
| Henderson Model D | 1916-1917 | Inline four-cylinder | 1065cc | Touring |
| Henderson Model E | 1918-1920 | Inline four-cylinder | 1300cc | Touring |
| Henderson De Luxe | 1920s | Inline four-cylinder | 1300cc | Luxury touring |
| Henderson KJ Streamline | 1929-1931 | Inline four-cylinder | 1300cc | Touring |
Tom and William Henderson founded the Henderson Motorcycle Company in Detroit with the goal of building a large and powerful touring motorcycle. Their design focused on a four-cylinder inline engine mounted longitudinally in the frame, which provided smooth power delivery and impressive top speeds for the era.
Early Henderson motorcycles quickly attracted attention among riders who wanted a fast and comfortable motorcycle capable of traveling long distances.
Production Years: 1912-1913
Engine: inline four-cylinder
Displacement: approximately 965cc
The Model A was the first production Henderson motorcycle. It introduced the inline-four engine layout that became the defining feature of the brand. These motorcycles were capable of higher speeds than many competing motorcycles of the time.
The Model B and Model C motorcycles were refinements of the original Henderson design. Improvements included stronger frames, better lubrication systems, and enhanced reliability for long-distance riding.
During this period Henderson motorcycles became increasingly popular among endurance riders and long-distance touring enthusiasts.
Production Years: 1916-1917
The Model D introduced a larger engine and improved performance. These motorcycles were capable of impressive speed for the period and helped strengthen Henderson's reputation as a builder of powerful touring machines.
Production Years: 1918-1920
The Model E represented a significant development in Henderson engineering. The engine displacement increased to approximately 1300cc, making the motorcycle one of the largest and most powerful machines available at the time.
This model further reinforced the brand's reputation for producing large luxury touring motorcycles.
During the 1920s Henderson produced several luxury touring motorcycles known as De Luxe models. These machines offered improved comfort and refinement for riders traveling long distances.
They were particularly popular with police departments in the United States, which valued the smooth performance and high speed of the four-cylinder engines.
Production Years: 1929-1931
The Henderson KJ Streamline represented one of the final developments of the Henderson motorcycle line. The model featured improved styling and mechanical refinements intended to modernize the design.
Despite these improvements, production ended in 1931 when the Excelsior company closed its motorcycle operations during the Great Depression.
Henderson motorcycles became famous for their speed and endurance capabilities. Several long-distance riding records were set using Henderson motorcycles during the early twentieth century.
The smooth and powerful four-cylinder engine made these motorcycles ideal for sustained high-speed riding across long distances.
Although production ended in the early 1930s, Henderson motorcycles remain highly respected among collectors and historians. Their advanced engineering and distinctive inline-four engines made them some of the most remarkable motorcycles of the early motorcycling era.
Today surviving Henderson motorcycles are extremely rare and often appear in major motorcycle museums and prestigious private collections.
Henderson is a historic American motorcycle manufacturer and is featured in our guides to American vintage motorcycle brands as well as our complete overview of vintage motorcycle manufacturers by country, covering major global motorcycle industries from 1900 to 1980.
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