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1912 HENDERSON MODEL A

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On Febuary 1, 1912, Schwinn concluded the purchase of Excelsior for the price of $500,000 and moved the factory to 2246 Union Ave, Chicago, Illinois, where it remained until 1914. They immediately advertised the new Excelsior aggressively and added it to the offerings of some of the franchisees in their extensive dealer organization. A 1912 advertisement for Excelsior announced a lower price due to increased factory output and improved economies. The motorcycle was touted for its comfort, speed, durability, and economy. Easy riding and steady handling due to its long wheel base and low center of gravity was also advertised.

On December 30, 1912, Excelsior gained renowned for being the first motorcycle to officially reach 100 mph. On that day, at the one-mile board track in Playa del Ray, California, Excelsior rider Lee Humiston "turned a ton" becoming the first motorcyclist officially timed at 100 mph by a sanctioning organization. At the same track a few days later, on January 7, 1913 Humiston took every time record for the distance between 2 and 100 miles, breaking the previous 100 mile record of 75 minutes, 24-2/5 seconds with his time of 68 minutes, 1-4/5 seconds.

Also that year, in Detroit, Michigan, the Henderson Company began manufacturing its in-line four cylinder Henderson motorcycle. The Henderson Company made a motorcycle for those who wanted more than a motorized bicycle and developed a premium-quality machine with a distinquished appearance.

The Vise President and principal designer of the Henderson Company, William (Will) Henderson, had a desire to build motorcycles from the time he was a boy. He worked for nearly eighteen years in the motorcar business as a designer and draftsman. His Father--Vise President of the successful Winton Motors, an automobile manufacturer with a reputation for building fine products--repeatedly tried to discourage his son, not believing there was any future in motorcycles. But Will would not be thwarted, and time and again presented his father with plans for a motorcycle, plans he worked on at night, after a full day at work.

Finally, Will came to his father with a fully-detailed design for a four-cylinder motorcycle. Will's father, concerned about the effect on his son's health of many sleepless nights spent designing, convinced Will to give up his job and advanced him money to create a prototype. His father hoped his son would give up the project when faced with the practical difficulties of building the prototype, instead, Will pursued his task with a relentless passion and, in late 1911, the Henderson Company began advertising its first model, the 1912 Henderson. At age 28, Will had been working on motorcycle designs for about nine years.
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SomeKindaCreature's avatar
ha there is something really awesome about this here.