Downloaded some ebooks for the Kindle before leaving for Africa a couple of months ago and read Across America by Motorcycle by C.F. Shephard. He rode across America in 1919 on a 1919 Henderson Motorcycle. 4 cylinders and a whopping 10hp.
Interesting. The last paved road of any kind going west was in Ohio I think. Amazing to see how much things have changed in 90 years. He travelled across America after fighting in the RAF during WWI for 4 years - to clear his mind and free his soul.
The 1922 Henderson was way cool! Kind of like the a 1922 version of a Triumph Rocket III.
An excerpt from the book - (good read if you get the chance): (things sure have changed over the years and it took a different kind of rider to trek across America back then)
"The total number of replacements to the engine alone comprised the following : Five new cylinders ; three pistons ; five gudgeon pins ; three complete sets of bearings ; two connecting rods, and eleven sparking plugs.
The machine was entirely overhauled on four occasions between the Atlantic and the Pacific, and on three of these by the recognized agents of the manufacturers.
The engine cut-out switch was the only part of the machine that did not break, come loose, or go wrong sooner or later. I was thrown off 142 times, and after that I stopped counting.
Apart from that I had no trouble."
Again, thanks Mr Wayne for the shot earlier......
