Henderson X please help with any info

[DJF]

 

[DJF]

The pictures here are of my Henderson X that I have yet to find any firm any information on, model, production year, production quantity of this model and so on.


Here is what I know for sure. It was from the Northamptons as per the plate that is still on it. It has a winged "Motobike" decal on the tooltank. It was originally powered by a Shaw engine CD, chain drive, kit and was turned back into a bicycle sometime around WWII.

Has a carbide lantern, small front fender skirts (not on at the moment), pannier (not on at the moment), Troxel seat rusted in place. And the bars were nickle plated along with several other parts.

The Shaw kit was completely removed except ironically for the tiny brass extinguisher that was mounted on the frame.

I have the engine but am missing several other pieces.

If anyone knows who could restore this or has any Shaw items like the lower crank/clutch for the chain drive, and rear Shaw coaster brake please let us know.

Thank you very much for reading this and helping.

 

[mongeese]

Was this part of the motor set up?

 

[DJF]

View attachment 695517 Was this part of the motor set up?

Not sure, there are a few holes that were for cable mounts and other things attached, that is one of the things I am hoping to find out here.

 

[DJF]

Crazy to fathom but I am trying to reassemble something from almost 100 years ago.

 

[dfa242]

Nice bike indeed - the license plate is from Northampton, Mass so not from the New York Hamptons if that was what your were thinking.

 

[DJF]

Nice bike indeed - the license plate is from Northampton, Mass so not from the New York Hamptons if that was what your were thinking.

Excellent to know, yes I had thought NY but as I am from the Midwest I had not considered Mass. I corrected it in the description and again thank you.

 

[carlitos60]

It's a 1920s and Just Reminded Me of the Harley Junior I've Been Looking for!!!
On the Pedal,,,,Looks Like an Extension Adapter!!
Cool Bike!!

 

[DJF]

It's a 1920s and Just Reminded Me of the Harley Junior I've Been Looking for!!!
On the Pedal,,,,Looks Like an Extension Adapter!!
Cool Bike!!

Ok decade of the 20s fantastic, what is great about adapters?

 

[carlitos60]

Ok decade of the 20s fantastic, what is great about adapters?

Maybe a 9/16 to 1/2 Adapter???
Just Never Seen It!!!

 

[Balloontyre]

Looks like a Schwinn built bike.

 

[DJF]

Looks like a Schwinn built bike.

Yup, Schwinn bought the companies Excelsior and Henderson and this is one of the bikes they built after those acquisitions, however we are trying to find out the specifics of the model, year, options, etc. People have told us this is one of the more rare and expensive bikes from Schwinn of its time but no confirmation on paper as of yet.

 

[Balloontyre]

Yup, Schwinn bought the companies Excelsior and Henderson and this is one of the bikes they built after those acquisitions, however we are trying to find out the specifics of the model, year, options, etc. People have told us this is one of the more rare and expensive bikes from Schwinn of its time but no confirmation on paper as of yet.

Ok, I saw your posting title
"help with any info" so, figured identification of builder was helpful. I look at construction halmarks vs what badge is on a bike, many get swapped over time.

Schwinn used a numeric identification system of their motorbike models.
It's just called a motorbike #?
#9 was un-equiped,
# 10E was equipped, light & can, tank, rack.

Yours looks like a #9 with an added tank at some point.

To help date it, more forensics please.

Serial number......
Pull crank to observe stamping
Rear hub pic (if original)
Are wheels chrome or nickle?

 

[Balloontyre]

Here's a 10E sample

 

[DJF]

Ok, I saw your posting title
"help with any info" so, figured identification of builder was helpful. I look at construction halmarks vs what badge is on a bike, many get swapped over time.

Schwinn used a numeric identification system of their motorbike models.
It's just called a motorbike #?
#9 was un-equiped,
# 10E was equipped, light & can, tank, rack.

Yours looks like a #9 with an added tank at some point.

To help date it, more forensics please.

Serial number......
Pull crank to observe stamping
Rear hub pic (if original)
Are wheels chrome or nickle?

Was equipped with Shaw engine at some point in the past so some is an unknown but why I am here.
Serial number on bottom end 314277, the 3 is so slightly stamped it might be a capital B. You can make out some brass fill to the crank side.
Badge as well as any permanent rivet or joint has not be tampered with since new as far as anyone can tell so far.
The rear hub may or may not be original as when the Shaw would have been installed another sprocket would have been on the other side, but also these are easily removed. It is marked New C Departure.
All paint matches and shows wear in the same way, so fenders are presumed to be original as well as tank and there are no multiple layers of paint, just the original red with brass on joints underneath.
Wood 28" wheels that are nickle on the outside and fully round tube-tires from Goodyear.
Tank and decal are thought to be original as they are matching in paint and wear placement, would like to know your thoughts why it would not have come with one.

 

[DJF]

Here's a 10E sample
View attachment 696321

Very nice bike but from what I am to understand that is a later model than mine, I believe around a 1933 10E. Looking at sprocket, paint scheme and battery light.

 

[DJF]

My bike has no evidence of having a battery attached.

 

[DJF]

Serial number on bottom end 314277, the 3 is so slightly stamped it might be a capital B. You can make out some brass fill to the crank side.

Anyone know how to break down this serial number?

 

[cyclingday]

Alphabet letter prefix didn't start until 1935, on Schwinn built frames.

 

[DJF]

Alphabet letter prefix didn't start until 1935, on Schwinn built frames.

So if the serial# is 314277, is there someone that has the information on it?