Share:
Now very few people remember that there were such motorcycles-Henderson. Only Harleys now, Yes. Few people know what they look like and what they are, but the name and nameplate are incredibly recognizable. And before-here is ranging with 1912 and recognized here is until 1931 year American Henderson Motorcycle produced the biggest and the most rapid motorcycles in world and Pro them in General something all only and talked. Ah because realistically the most-the most.
In principle, Henderson began the Golden age of motorcycling, made it spectacular and dangerous, fell in love with motorcycles half the world, and then died during the great depression.
But if the information... it does. In 1911, William George Henderson, in partnership with his brother Tom Henderson in Detroit, Michigan, at 268 Jefferson Avenue, founded the American Henderson Motorcycle company. William had incredible ideas and a passion for motorcycles, and Tom had financial acumen and an understanding of how to do business.
Well. They formed a company and built their first prototype the same year. The prototype had a belt drive typical of the time, but it was immediately announced that it would be replaced by a chain drive for production machines. And in the same year – but in December, they began production of their first production car. Although year issuing have him is worth 1912. It was a four-cylinder, 7-horsepower, 57 cubic-inch (934 CC) motorcycle with a frame engine and chain drive. As I said, production began in 1911 on the long wheelbase that would become Henderson's trademark. But in sale they came Yes, only in 1912. in January. It cost very decently for that time-325 dollars.
The next model the brothers released in 1913, it had an improved brake (so far the only one), a lower seat position, improved support beams and a rectangular fuel tank, which replaced the previous cylindrical barrel. And it just so happened that this year Carl Stearns Clancy returned from a trip around the world on Henderson 1912 and brought from all sorts of countries a wild number of photos in which he was captured in all the deserts and snowfalls of the world on the magnificent machine brothers.
A year has passed and Henderson Motorcycle is launching the Model C. the Car had a two-speed gearbox built into the rear hub, as well as lighter pistons and adjustable seat springs.
Well, in 1915 Henderson begin to produce the Model D and E. the Model E was reduced from 65 to 58 inches wheelbase, footrests and two-speed rear hub. Prices ranged from $ 295 for the standard model to $ 335 for the two-speed model.
In 1916, the Henderson F model began to be released, with the release of which it became clear that a shorter wheelbase became the standard.
Well, Henderson 1917 three-speed gearbox was attached to the engine and included a powerful clutch. Sales grew and new dealerships were established. Well, it was on this motorcycle that all world records were set for speed and length of the stretch.
But despite the records and racing successes, the consequences of the First world war caused incredible damage to sales and dolbanuli on the finances of the company.
In late 1917, the Hendersons sold the firm to Ignace Schwinn, the owner of Schwinn, the Schwinn Bicycle and Excelsior motorcycle company. Production was moved to Chicago.
They produced two more legendary cars, but the brothers already worked only as developers. And in the summer of 1931 Schwinn called the heads of his departments to a meeting at Excelsior and told them, without any preliminary speeches, " gentlemen, we will stop today." Despite the full portfolio of orders, he decided to reduce his commitments and focus on his core business-the production of bicycles. By September 1931, it was all over.
In 1932, the brothers tried to revive the company and developed a new concept for this.
But it didn't.
And what cars were...
