Custom Henderson

Back before it’s demise in 1931 the Excelsior Motor Company, along with Harley-Davidson and Indian, was considered one of the “Big 3″ of motorcycle manufacturers. One of their brands was the Henderson. These were the originals, not the resurrected ones of a few years ago. Now customizing back in those days was quite different than today. Back then they added sheet metal instead of taking it off.

So it is with this “Art Deco” style bike built in 1936 by O. Ray Courtney.  He added his touches to a 1930 Henderson which was probably their Streamliner version. Streamlining was popular back in those days as car manufacturers and railroads also produced streamlined vehicles. Occasionally this bike can still be seen cruising around Syracuse, New York.

Source: Bike EXIF

Image: Pete Plassman

Posted by Sam Kanish