classic motorcycle forum

The VintageBike Message Board => The Classic Biker Bar => Topic started by: Seasndfire on April 11, 2013, 02:07:31 AM

Title: Another Bike id Help request here
Post by: Seasndfire on April 11, 2013, 02:07:31 AM
Hello, this is a picture of my grandfather and one of his bikes. I'm afraid that  i know next to nothing about vintage bikes so any help identifying it is greatly appreciated. Thank you! 8)
Title: Re: Another Bike id Help request here
Post by: R on April 11, 2013, 03:54:18 AM
An American Henderson 4 cylinder, a KJ probably, of the late 1920s.
One of the most expensive bikes available in its day.

Hat almost looks police, but the handlebar tassles certainly are not !

http://www.theworldofmotorcycles.com/vintagebike-images/henderson_streamline-kj.jpeg
Title: Re: Another Bike id Help request here
Post by: cardan on April 11, 2013, 09:31:04 AM

Judging from the bicycles in the background, your grandfather was a resident of the USA at the time of the photo.

As R points out, the bike is a Henderson four - in fact the "streamliner" which was the last of the breed and only made from 1929 into early 1931 when the depression called things to a halt. The huge X on the tank transfer is a reminder that through the 1920s the Henderson name was owned by Schwinn's Excelsior company.

A truly fabulous vintage motorcycle - thanks for posting!

Leon
Title: Re: Another Bike id Help request here
Post by: wetdog on April 11, 2013, 11:09:04 AM
very nice , is that a foot main stand at the lower front of the bike
Title: Re: Another Bike id Help request here
Post by: Seasndfire on April 11, 2013, 03:24:15 PM
Fantastic info guys! Thank you very much! Im not sure what he did to afford such a bike at that time but i do know that he grew up in Harlem NY, was in the army air corps around that time and at some point became a police officer there in New York. Im hitting up the family for any old pics with my grandfather and his bikes we can find. I'll post more as i get them. Thanks again!
Title: Re: Another Bike id Help request here
Post by: banquo on April 11, 2013, 04:50:29 PM
Looks like a foxes tail or something.
(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b298/bancquo/image_zps3c9e91e5.jpg)