Henderson Motorcycle
They were the largest and fastest motorcycles of their time,[citation needed] and appealed to both sport riders and police departments.
Production began in 1911, using the in-line four-cylinder engine and long wheelbase that would become Henderson trademarks, and it was available to the public in January 1912.
It was the third four-cylinder production motorcycle built in the United States, and featured a folding hand-crank starter handle.
[4] It was in this year that Carl Stearns Clancy of New York returned from circling the globe on a 1912 Henderson, armed with many photographs to prove it.
[6] The 1914 Model C had a two-speed gearbox incorporated in the rear hub, as well as lighter pistons and adjustable seat springs.
[4] The shorter wheelbase became the standard,[4] and the engine now incorporated a cam gear driven "mechanical oiler", and a kick-start.
Alan Bedell averaged 48 mph for 1154 miles at Ascot Park in California setting a new 24‑hour record, and then, on June 13, 1917, broke the transcontinental long-distance record of 1915 (set by "Cannonball" Baker on an Indian Twin,) when he rode his 1917 Henderson from Los Angeles to the city of New York (3,296 miles) in seven days, sixteen hours, and fifteen minutes.
[4] Despite record breaking and racing successes, the effects of World War I on sales had damaged their financial position.
Hendersons were marketed extensively overseas as well as in the United States during the Schwinn years.
The internal brake was connected to the long hand lever, replacing it's clutch function.
He left in 1920, before the Model K came into production, to form the Ace Motor Corporation, where he would make the lighter, faster motorcycles he had envisioned.
Increasingly, Henderson motorcycles were being used by law enforcement agencies, and their reputation continued to improve, with durability and distance records often falling to them.
Harley-Davidson decided to challenge Henderson to a contest that was held at Dundee Road, Chicago, in April 1922.
The solo record was not bettered until 1937 when Fred Ham's 61 cubic inch Harley averaged 76 mph.
This enabled the fitting of a shorter, wider, 4 United States gallon (15 litre) fuel tank.
Three ring alloy pistons were now standard, the cylinders and camshaft were changed, low and reverse gear ratios were altered and it was fitted with larger 3.85 inch tyres.
There was a new tank top instrument cluster, featuring speedometer, ammeter, oil pressure gauge and a headlight switch.
The Streamline model, commonly called the "KJ", appeared in 1929, and featured improved cooling and a return to the IOE (inlet over exhaust) valve configuration, gave 40 bhp @ 4000 rpm.
The Streamline was fast - capable of a genuine 100 mph (160 km/h), and advanced for its time, with such features as leading-link forks and an illuminated speedometer built into the fuel tank.
On Black Tuesday, October 29, 1929, the Wall Street stock market crashed, but Henderson sales remained strong, and business continued.
[13] On April 29, 1930, the new Henderson "Special" KL solo was demonstrated on a new, smooth concrete Illinois highway.
[4] The higher compression two-ring pistons, and an enlarged 1.25 inch (32 mm) carburetor, meant the KL engine produced 45 hp at 4,500 rpm.
