Description
This is a 1929 Henderson KJ in-line four cylinder motorcycle. I bought it in the USA about five years ago as a tired runner, since when it has had a full restoration about 600 miles ago. It was last restored in New England in 1978 and chromed, now mostly stripped and nickelled. It has matching numbers, UK papers, a FIVA originality certificate and the old US title. It is a rider rather than a showroom bike, with the 1931 headlamp and a Linkert carb rather than the fragile original Schebler. The ammeter does not show a charge but the dynamo has been tested OK, so maybe there is a wiring error still to be corrected. The model came out in 1929 and was a big hit with the Highway Patrol with a 36-40 hp engine making it capable of 100 mph, and probably the fastest bike on the road. Casting date on the crankcases is April 1929, so about six months before the Wall Street Crash. Production for 1930 halved, a few were made in 1931, then owner Ignaz Schwinn closed down both Henderson and Excelsior for ever. The KJ Streamline set the style for future motorcycles and still has stunning good looks. The cast aluminium tanks have lasted well and the whole machine is ruggedly constructed and remains a high point of US design. I've done the UK Banbury Run and the Pioneer Plus Run on this bike. Alan Cathcart has test ridden the bike and reports are available in the literature. The cut down exhaust makes for a throaty roar as you open the throttle!
