The Museum of Cyclewerk History

Featured Story

The Story of William .G. Henderson and his Motorcycle's

ACE Motorcycles

Henderson Motorcycles

Indian

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William .G. Henderson and his brother Thomas founded the Henderson Motorcycle Company in 1911. In 1917 the Hendersons sold the firm to Ignaz Schwinn, owner of Schwinn, the manufacturer of Schwinn bicycles and Excelsior motorbikes.

Production was moved to Schwinn's Excelsior Motor Mfg. & Supply Co., 3700 Cortland Street, Chicago, Illinois. William and his brother Thomas went on to open the "Ace Manufacturing Company" in Philidelphia Pa. in 1919.

A restored 1920 ACE-Four

Word of the new Ace quickly spread and the company was able to deliver the new and beautiful "Ace-Four" in just one year. William Henderson and the Ace factory made every effort to make the new Ace different in every detail from its competition, with the "new" side valve Henderson model K. It was said that not even bolts or screws were interchangeable on these machines..

Red Wolverton and some of the trophies he has collected with his hill-storming Ace

American Legion - Columbus Day Race, Lakewood New Jersey. Notice all the bikes are Ace's!!

Hendersons were marketed extensively overseas as well as in the United States during the Schwinn years. Today, there are almost as many Hendersons in Europe and Australia/New Zealand as in the U.S. The Excelsior name had already been used in Germany and Britain, so export models were marketed as the "American-X".

William Henderson was killed in a road accident during a test run of an Ace and despite all the successes, the Ace factory went into financial problems and struggled on under different management until it was bought up by the big Indian Factory in 1926 to become the basis for their Indian-4.

An old Excelsior ad - This is from the "Schwinn years"

Built as "Indian Aces and Fours" from 1927 to 1940, the Indian Four represents the end of an American motorcycle era which began with Henderson's 1911 in-line four.

Police Officer on a Henderson-Excelsior.

Pittsburgh Policeman on an Indian talking to the ladies.



*Featured Story* The Story of William .G. Henderson and his Motorcycle's *ACE Motorcycles* *Henderson Motorcycles* *Indian* _____________________________________________________ William .G. Henderson and his brother Thomas founded the Henderson Motorcycle Company in 1911. In 1917 the Hendersons sold the firm to Ignaz Schwinn, owner of Schwinn, the manufacturer of Schwinn bicycles and Excelsior motorbikes. Production was moved to Schwinn's Excelsior Motor Mfg. & Supply Co., 3700 Cortland Street, Chicago, Illinois. William and his brother Thomas went on to open the "Ace Manufacturing Company" in Philidelphia Pa. in 1919. A restored 1920 ACE-Four Word of the new Ace quickly spread and the company was able to deliver the new and beautiful "Ace-Four" in just one year. William Henderson and the Ace factory made every effort to make the new Ace different in every detail from its competition, with the "new" side valve Henderson model K. It was said that not even bolts or screws were interchangeable on these machines.. Red Wolverton and some of the trophies he has collected with his hill-storming Ace American Legion - Columbus Day Race, Lakewood New Jersey. Notice all the bikes are Ace's!! Hendersons were marketed extensively overseas as well as in the United States during the Schwinn years. Today, there are almost as many Hendersons in Europe and Australia/New Zealand as in the U.S. The Excelsior name had already been used in Germany and Britain, so export models were marketed as the "American-X". William Henderson was killed in a road accident during a test run of an Ace and despite all the successes, the Ace factory went into financial problems and struggled on under different management until it was bought up by the big Indian Factory in 1926 to become the basis for their Indian-4. An old Excelsior ad - This is from the "Schwinn years" Built as "Indian Aces and Fours" from 1927 to 1940, the Indian Four represents the end of an American motorcycle era which began with Henderson's 1911 in-line four. Police Officer on a Henderson-Excelsior. Pittsburgh Policeman on an Indian talking to the ladies.	The Indian Gallery The Ducati Gallery The Norton Gallery The Triumph Gallery Nthro.com Vintage Motorcycle Tee-Shirts. A large selection of vintage biker shirts including; Norton, Triumph, Ducati, Rickman, BSA and many more!! MOTORCYCLES FOR SALE - Nthro Classifieds!! A great place to Buy or Sell Antique, Vintage, Custom or Modern Motorcycles - Choppers or Racers - Cruisers or Bobbers Buy it or Sell it at Nthro Classifieds! Do you have a quality picture that you would like to share with us? Do you have an original story you might want to post? Email me at - bill@nthro.com