1925 Henderson Deluxe

The Henderson DeLuxe was introduced in 1922, and was considered the most refined Henderson model ever produced up to that date and it solidified the reputation of the Henderson name. The 1301-cc, 28-hp machine was also a winner with police departments. Capable, they say, of 100-mph, they beat out the Harley police models during a famous 1922 Chicago “shoot-out.”
This 1925 version is what I would call a barn find/living room find because I bought it from an older gentleman who had it in his living room for decades along with a few other bikes including a full dresser Harley.
Known Owner History:
1960's (and possibly earlier) until 1971 - Andrew L.
1971 - 1987 - John Y.
1987 - 2020 - Don S.
2020 - present - the seller
Condition:
As you can see in the photos, it is in an unrestored, oily rag condition, but still presentable. There is also a 1970's photo in the documentation file showing that this bike has looked exactly the same for the last 50+ years, and a prior owner (probably Andrew L.) turned it into a “dresser” style bike with the chroming of parts that were normally painted, like the handlebars. Before purchase I looked at all four bores with a scope and everything looked really good. When I got it home I found that the gas tank was filled with old, dried gas residue. I spent a week with various solvents and eventually got the tank to the point where I could get some gas flowing out of the tap. I cleaned out the carb, changed the oil, checked the metal screen oil filter (all good - no metal shavings present), changed the plugs, and the bike fired up on the third kick. After warming it up I engaged the clutch and took it for a 3 mile ride around my neighborhood. Brakes were marginal, but they stopped the bike. That was summer of 2020 and I never rode it again. While I don't have a video of it running, I guarantee that it will run with very minimal recommissioning.
Before actually putting the bike back into service I would recommend further cleaning of the gas tank, a more correct fuel line arrangement (mine was/is jury-rigged), and rebuilding of the brakes. You could enjoy it as-is for many years or restore.
I see one chipped cooling fin on the forward cylinder left side, paint stains and missing paint from an earlier gas leak on the right side of the gas tank, peeling chrome, some earlier casting irregularities or weld repairs on the upper crankcase, old wiring, chipping paint, rust in spots, dents, dings, etc. All of this is shown clearly in the photos.
I put a new leather seat on the bike as the old one had lost its covering and padding, but the hard to source original seat pan is included.
At some point in the past, someone riveted the side covers on the front and rear fender but I think the fenders are original Henderson, so you could drill those out, fill the holes, and paint if desired.
I put what is listed on the Corbin speedo (20,324), but do not know the actual mileage.
Numbers and Documents:
Based on the old, open Connecticut title and the two bills of sale, this bike has been registered with the VIN number K100W for most (or maybe all) of its life. This number is not a correct Henderson VIN number (as many Henderson owners will know), but it was often mistaken for the VIN and used as the registration number for these bikes. It is actually the engine series number that appears on the rear/top of all crankcases of similar vintage manufactured by Henderson.
The engine number is D4823 as can be seen in the photos.
I was not able to find a frame number, and I assume that is because this bike has been painted multiple times over the years. We do know that the engine and frame have been together for a long time based on the titles and the early 1970's-era photo in the listing (50+ years).
To summarize - there is a real Connecticut title from the 1970's with the VIN K100W and the engine number written, and a chain of bills of sale showing the ownership history listed above, but this is not your modern VIN/Title situation. The owner before me never registered or titled the bike, so it is still on the open title from the owner before him, and this title is dated 1978. Please check with your local DMV to see what you'll need to properly register the bike.
Lastly, in the documentation there is correspondence and a list of all the known Hendersons in the U.S. as of 1985. You can see this bike listed in that document with the same engine number it has today (D4823).
Spares:
I was told by another Henderson owner that the current wheels are not correct. So, after buying the bike I located and purchased an original, correct pair of rims with the correct spokes. You can see them in the photos. I believe they are quite hard to find.
There are also a bunch of other spares including two new wiring harnesses, tank mounts, a repro Corbin speedo face, 2 gasket sets, a gauge holder, the original seat pan, a piece of linkage, an early photo, an early advertisement poster, and the other items pictured.
Unique features:
The bike has a double sided, hand-operated “kick-stand” that is mounted in the forward lower sidecar points on the frame. I have never seen anything like it on another Henderson (or any early bike). It is way more convenient than getting off the bike and lifting it up onto the rear stand. When you come to a stop you just pull the lever and two stands come down and you can just step off the bike (see pics). The prior owner thought it may have been an experimental prototype or something developed for the police bikes. Maybe someone out there has more information. To disengage you put your foot on a little lock release pedal and move the handle and the two side stands tuck back under the bike.
The second unique feature is the chrome spark plug cover. I am told that this was an option you could buy back in the day from Henderson but that very few were sold or survive. Happy to be educated on that as well if anyone has more info on the options that were available.
Location:
The bike is in a temperature and humidity controlled garage about 15-20 minutes east of Charlottesville, VA.
Payment:
Deposit can be paid by PayPal or Venmo. Full payment by Bank Wire Transfer is preferred, but will consider cash on pickup.
Shipping:
Buyer is responsible for arranging and paying for transport, but I can deliver it to a local area that makes it easy for the trucker to pick it up if they have a large truck. Regular size pick-ups/trailers will work in our driveway.