henderson custom build...ahead of it's time

[longrider]

The 1930 Henderson "Streamliner" from an article sent to me this morning from a friend.


The motorcycling world loves a "barn find", an old, obscure machine
wheeled out of the woodwork for the first time. And this is one of the
biggest revelations of recent months.

It's a 1930 Henderson that was customized before WW2 by a fellow called
O. Ray Courtney and fitted with"streamliner"bodywork.

One night in March, 1950, O. Ray Courtney worked until two a.m. and
drove home discouraged. He was trying to design a better motorcycle.

He wanted one with the seat forward, with better cooling, better
springing and a more beautiful body. Discarded sketches littered the
floor of his shop. That night in a dream he saw a streamlined beauty
skim across a flowered field. Too excited to report for work the next
day, he hastily put his dream on paper - and he is riding that dream
cycle now through the streets of Pontiac, Mich.

The art deco influence is obvious; legendary automotive designer Harley
Earl could have drawn those curves. The bike belongs to Frank Westfall from
Syracuse, NY. According to some info I found online, the bike was
originally built by O. Ray Courtney in 1936 and is based on a 1930 K.J
Henderson.

The bike is powered by inline four cylinder (not a scooter as some have
said, check the shot of the motor below) and as I"m sure you can gather
by now, is a one-off custom. What I can confirm is it does run and while
it looked a bit unwieldy, Frank could be seen riding the bike around the
Fairgrounds all weekend.

[ChromeDome]

That is very interesting.

[Daniel Meyer]

I'd ride it!  

[Patrick]

That thing is owned by Frank Westfall in Syracuse ?!  Boy, the things you don't know ! Thats a heck of a looking ride.

[Michvalk]

Remove the front sheet metal, and it looks a lot like the Honda Pacific Coast

[Scoop171]

Never seen anything like that! 

[#2944]

I like it!
Now thats a modern day bike design from long ago ......
Zots