The Henderson Motorcycle Company
The Henderson motorcycle story begins in 1911, although it has its roots in the earliest years of automobile production in the USA. The Henderson brothers, Tom and William, grew up and trained among some of the best. Their grandfather was Alexander Winton, one of America's first successful automakers, and their father was vice-president of the Winton Motor Carriage Company. While Tom worked as a sales manager for Winton, William worked for a machine shop but poured all of his best efforts into his lifelong dream - the design of a motorcycle like none other.
By 1911, the brothers had built a prototype model and teamed up to form the Henderson Motorcycle Company. Interestingly, the prototype model used a belt drive rather than a chain. That bike is now the property of the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry. Production of the Henderson Model A began in Detroit for the 1912 model year.
Early in 1912 Carl Stearns Clancy and Walter Storey purchased 1912 Hendersons and set out to be the first motorcyclists to ride around the world. While Storey had to return home from Paris, Clancy went on to complete the 18000 mile trip, returning to Detroit in early 1913. The trip was documented in Motorcycle Review and other period magazines and helped solidify the Henderson brand as a powerful and durable motorcycle. Clancy also produced a book titled The Gasoline Tramp.
Carl Stearns Clancy at the start of his 1912 world tour
Tom Henderson in a 1912 Winton, William Henderson with an early 1913 Henderson
Other changes included a larger engine (65 cu. in., up from 57 cu. in.), a redesigned intake manifold, and a frame that drops down at the rear of the tank to provide a lower seating position. This in turn necessitated a new tank and seat design. As well, the tire width was increased to 3 inches. All these things resulted in a stronger and much better riding motorcycle.
An optional rear seat "tandem" package was available to accomodate a second rider. This was a change from the previous year, when the passenger sat in front of the operator, on top of the gas tank. Approximately 2000 Model B Hendersons were produced, with exports going all over the world, including Canada, England, Australia, Argentina, Singapore, and Japan.
Henderson continued to improve their motorcycles through the teen years. In 1915 a two-speed rear hub was available and the frame was shortened by replacing the forward footboard with side mounted footboards. By 1917 a three-speed gearbox was added for the Model G Henderson but during that year the company was purchased by Ignaz Schwinn, maker of bicycles and Excelsior motorcycles. He moved the company to Chicago, where Hendersons continued to be built.
All Hendersons were four cylinder bikes and they were known as the finest American motorcycles of their time. Through the 1920s many Hendersons were used by police departments because they were fast enough to catch just about any car on the road at the time (over 100 mph).
In 1931 Schwinn suddenly announced that motorcycle production would cease immediately and that was the end of Henderson motorcycles. Today, Hendersons are highly sought after with the Detroit built models being particularly popular, although quite rare.
A 1913 Henderson Model B advertisement