Author Topic: Another Bike id Help request here  (Read 5821 times)

Offline Seasndfire

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Another Bike id Help request here
« 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)

Offline R

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Re: Another Bike id Help request here
« Reply #1 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
« Last Edit: April 11, 2013, 03:59:03 AM by R »

Offline cardan

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Re: Another Bike id Help request here
« Reply #2 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

wetdog

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Re: Another Bike id Help request here
« Reply #3 on: April 11, 2013, 11:09:04 AM »
very nice , is that a foot main stand at the lower front of the bike

Offline Seasndfire

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Re: Another Bike id Help request here
« Reply #4 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!

Offline banquo

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Re: Another Bike id Help request here
« Reply #5 on: April 11, 2013, 04:50:29 PM »
Looks like a foxes tail or something.
All the best things in life are enjoyed at a relaxed pace, including Islay single malt, sex and old motorcycles, but not necessarily in that order... ;-)