1923 Henderson 1,301 cc De Luxe
Registration no. VK 7845
Frame no. D3109
Engine no. D3109

Whereas the four-cylinder motor cycle was a rarity in Britain during the vintage period, American owners were accustomed to the rasp of the Henderson well before then. One of America's motor-cycling 'greats', the Henderson concern produced no other type of engine. Founded by William and Tom Henderson, the firm was taken over by Schwinn, with William moving on to the design of that other four, the Ace. Initially 965cc, Schwinn standardised the Henderson at1301cc capacity for the 1922 De Luxe, the firm guaranteeing 80 mph, making this machine about the fastest available when it was registered in northern England. The side-valve 'four' was linked to a three-speed 'box within a characteristically robust duplex frame, electric lighting being a standard feature, again well in advance of British design of the period, while the rear-wheel brakes were well up to the traffic of the time.

In generally excellent fettle, mechanically rebuilt and running well when catalogued, this particular Henderson, is being sold by an enthusiastic rider of American 'fours' in order to finance a further rebuild, with some small improvements and the normal safety checks remaining to be done to a new owner's taste. It is complete with a V5C for its Newcastle-on-Tyne number and should climb Sunrising Hill with ease!