1912 Henderson Model 4

FROM THE DICK SHAPPY COLLECTION: The 1912 Henderson 4

In 1897 Alexander Winton would expand from The Winton Bicycle Company to The Winton Motor Carriage Company, and begin producing and selling some of the first American automobiles. Guided and inspired by his grandfather Alexander, in 1911, William G. Henderson and his brother Tom W. Henderson combined their respective motorcycle enthusiasm and financial knowledge to form the American Henderson Motorcycle Co. in Detroit, MI. Together they constructed a single prototype and by 1912, they were producing their first motorcycle, the Henderson Four. It was elegant and built to the highest standards - a 57 cu, 934 cc, 7 HP four-cylinder bike with the engine mounted inline with the frame and a single-speed chain drive. They featured a long chassis and wheelbase for stability, a folding hand-crank starter handle, a short leading-link suspension on the front fork, and a long torpedo tank. Charles Stearns Clancy completed the first-ever round-the-world 18,000 mile motorcycle journey on the Henderson 4 by 1913, catapulting the Henderson reputation into the spotlight.

In 1917, the Hendersons sold to Ignaz Schwinn of Schwinn bicycles and Excelsior motorcycles, and production was moved to Chicago, IL. Henderson motorcycles became known as the largest and fastest in the industry, becoming the favorite of police departments until the Great Depression. Despite the success of Schwinns motorcycle production, after the stock market crashed in 1929, motorcycle sales plummeted, and by 1931, with a full order book, Ignaz ordered production to cease. His words, Gentlemen, today we stop, may have saved the company, as focusing on bicycles was a far more cost-effective endeavor, leaving surviving relics a piece of American history.

In 1998, the Henderson brothers were inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame. The Henderson name also saw a brief revival from 1998-2000 when Dan Hanlon secured the rights, founded the Excelsior-Henderson Motorcycle Company in Minnesota, and produced around 2,000 Super-X 1386 cc v-twin motorcycles before becoming bankrupt.

Henderson motorcycles were renowned for their smooth-running inline-four engines, which were powerful, quiet, and offered exceptional torque and consistent power delivery a significant technological advancement at the time. They were considered the "Cadillacs of motorcycles," known for their luxury, high performance, and durability. These features made them popular for speed and endurance, and they were favored by police for their speed and ability to provide a smoother, more comfortable ride compared to the thumping of single- and twin-cylinder bikes. They featured a long wheelbase, comfortable seating, and floorboards for added rider comfort. Founded by the Henderson brothers, the company quickly established a reputation for quality and high performance in the early days of motorcycling. This success led William Henderson to found the Ace Motorcycling Company, which also focused on powerful four-cylinder machines, further cementing his legacy.

Surviving 1912 Henderson Fours are rare and this one has been so well-restored that it participated in the 2016 Cannonball race from Atlantic City to San Diego. Its even legally registered in New York! It has since been completely rebuilt by Henderson expert specialist Mark Hill and seeing it participate brought us full understanding as to why these machines were called the Duesenbergs of motorcycles. This would be an excellent selection for the upcoming Australian Cannonball or TransAmerica rides.

ENGINE NO: 378