Check out this motorcycle

[Twitchin Kitten]

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Link: http://www.bikeexif.com/art-deco-custom-motorcycle

Every few months, a bike comes along that completely stops me in my tracks. Like this one: an Art Deco-influenced machine that could have come straight from the pen of Harley Earl. The bike caused a stir last month when it appeared at the Rhinebeck Grand National Meet, a popular motorcycle show held a couple of hours drive north of NYC. Word started to spread. And with the help of a few Bike EXIF readers, we’ve tracked down the details—and got some shots thanks to Grail Mortillaro of the excellent grassroots chopper blog Knucklebuster.

The machine is apparently based on a 1930 Henderson—presumably the 100 mph (160 km/h) Streamline model—and was built in 1936 by a gent called O. Ray Courtney. Today the bike is owned by Frank Westfall of Syracuse, a motorcycle collector and local identity, who was seen happily riding this extraordinary motorcycle around the showgrounds. According Mortillaro, “The craftsmanship is absolutely stunning and it’s surely more of a museum piece than a daily rider. Frank has obviously spent an incredible amount of time meticulously restoring and rebuilding the bike to its current gorgeous state.”

As a marque, Henderson is unfortunately consigned to the annals of history, despite a short-lived attempt to revive the name in the late 90s. But until its demise in 1931, the Excelsior Motor Mfg. & Supply Co.—the owner of the Henderson brand—was one of the ‘Big Three’ American motorcycle manufacturers, along with Harley-Davidson and Indian. There must be more remarkable Henderson customs out there—if you know of any, drop us a line.

[First four images by kind permission of Grail Mortillaro, Knucklebuster. Final image located by Pete Plassmann. Thanks also to Bill Tikos, Benjie Flipperboi, Scott Ruffalo and Twitter denizens Fuzzygalore and qcmw.]

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[twisteroo]

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I can't decide if I like it or not.

[Twitchin Kitten]

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I like it as a novelty piece. Something cool to sit in the shed, maybe give it a spin at shows. I can't see it as an everyday ride. It looks like a royal bitch to clean.

[Rhubarb]

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Hmm, not sure, wonder how it handles. I'll ask No1 son what he thinks

[LKTraz]

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Nice to look at but doesn't look too rideable.

[Twitchin Kitten]

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Looks perfectly ride-able to me, kind of like those bikes they build for the salt flats.