1925 V8 Henderson

My buddy Brian (Mr Velocette) pointed out this V8 Henderson after I posted the Indian Super 6.

Here's the back story:
This is the only V8 Henderson in the world. Built by "Mr. Henderson," Carl Vandre of Denver, Colorado. Carl fooled around with Hendersons most of his life. And while Carl liked to keep 'em just like they came out of the factory, he wasn't averse to a few improvements... Carl learned how to operate and program a CNC milling machine with the help of his son-in-law and his grandson. Carl was an A/P Mechanic in World War II and worked on several planes from B-17’s through B-29’s.

This engine has a Henderson crankshaft, with articulated connecting rods, two Henderson cam shafts. Carburetion is by typical Zenith TX4 carburetors. Bosch magnetos supply the ignition for the 8 Henderson DeLuxe cylinders. Henderson clutch, flywheel, tranny, lower engine case and engine mounts provide the basis for the V8. Aircraft aluminum was used, all parts were machined and assembled with socket head bolts, no welding! There are no modifications of any kind to the frame. Carl spent approximately 2000 hours in a 2-year span to complete this project. - See more at: http://www.bikernet.com/pages/RARE_1925_V8_HENDERSON_CLASSIC_COMING_TO_BIKERNET.aspx#sthash.IJPJMjWY.dpuf

This engine has a Henderson crankshaft, with articulated connecting rods, two Henderson cam shafts. Carburetion is by typical Zenith TX4 carburetors. Bosch magnetos supply the ignition for the 8 Henderson DeLuxe cylinders. Henderson clutch, flywheel, tranny, lower engine case and engine mounts provide the basis for the V8. Aircraft aluminum was used, all parts were machined and assembled with socket head bolts, no welding! There are no modifications of any kind to the frame. Carl spent approximately 2000 hours in a 2-year span to complete this project.

This engine has a Henderson crankshaft, with articulated connecting rods, two Henderson cam shafts. Carburetion is by typical Zenith TX4 carburetors. Bosch magnetos supply the ignition for the 8 Henderson DeLuxe cylinders. Henderson clutch, flywheel, tranny, lower engine case and engine mounts provide the basis for the V8. Aircraft aluminum was used, all parts were machined and assembled with socket head bolts, no welding! There are no modifications of any kind to the frame. Carl spent approximately 2000 hours in a 2-year span to complete this project. - See more at: http://www.bikernet.com/pages/RARE_1925_V8_HENDERSON_CLASSIC_COMING_TO_BIKERNET.aspx#sthash.IJPJMjWY.dpuf

It's a given you can't see a bike like this and not wonder what it sounds like running.

Albuquerque Motorcycle Club Decal

I couldn't resist buying this recently. It was a little pricey and has a tear but I've flat-out never seen one for sale before.  It ironically was purchased from a seller here in Washington.

 The Albuquerque Motorcycle Club was active in the 40's and 50's and primarily consisted of Harley Davidson riders. The Albuquerque Motorcycle Club clubhouse still stands on south Broadway in Albuquerque New Mexico but it is now a private residence. The sign is still clearly visible.

I was interested to see that the Albuquerque Motorcycle Club logo was so similar to the logo used by Albuquerque Harley Davidson. Disney copyright attorneys would be all over that logo today.

Albuquerque Dealer

Lee Marvin

It's fairly common knowledge that Marlon Brando used his own slightly modified 1953 Triumph Thunderbird in the movie The Wild One.

Flathead Rob is quite fond of ribbing me that Chino (Lee Marvin) is the "real" biker riding a "real" motorcycle in that movie.

 

I didn't however realize Lee Marvin was in fact an avid rider and racer. I was somewhat amused to learn that in real life Lee was an avid Triumph racer and enthusiast.

At 6'2" and 200 lbs Lee was a pretty big guy to be racing a Cub.

Indian Super 6

Built by Herb Ottaway using two Indian 4 engines in about 1959. Herb seems like a pretty fascinating guy.

Indian Super 6

89-year-old Herb Ottaway - October of 2001

Pre-Unit

Riders Manual

I wondered what all those controls did.

Trust Salvage - Auburn Washington

I spotted this through Hemmings. Nice photo feature of a local boy.

Matt The Owner of Trust Salvage - Auburn WA

Zito's Vintage Cycle

I just heard Joe Zito is opening a shop in New Jersey. Joe's Triumph was a major inspiration when I was building Olivia. He was also kind enough to answer a lot of stupid questions when I was just getting started with the vintage bike thing. He seems like a good guy that knows his stuff. I wish him the best of luck and will have to go buy a t-shirt.

Ran When Parked

1952 Harley Hummer 125cc Flat Track Racer - Every so often I fall for a bike that completely defies all logic. It's race bike (sort of). The displacement is too small to actually ride. It appears to have been assembled but a farmer. It's super crusty... What a stance.

 

To some extent I'm thankful I'll never have the income required to purchase every motorcycle that catches my eye.

Ran When Parked

1969 Honda CB750 Sandcast Prototype - Currently at $119,500.00 and the reserve is still not met. I'm afraid days of the clean $500 Honda CB are gone forever.

Ford ID

Flathead Rob and I were recently struggling to remember the differences between the 1939 and 1940 Standard and Deluxe models. This might help.