316
1930 Henderson KJ 4-cylindres
No Reserve
Estimate:
€60,000 - €80,000

Complete Description

French title
Engine no. KJ34471

- High standard of engineering

- Very rare in Europe

- Fully restored by Michel Magnin

- Successfully competed in three Motorcycle Cannonball runs!

- Coming with spares, magneto, cylinder head, tools

- No reserve

 

This bike was bought specifically for the ‘Motorcycle Cannonball’, launched by Lonnie Isam in 2009 to cross the United States from east to west with pre-1933 motorbikes. “When I heard about the rally, I was immediately enthusiastic about the idea”, Paul-Émile B told us. In 2011, he chose a Henderson KJ with a 1300cc in-line ‘four’ producing nearly 40bhp, characteristics that were quite amazing compared to European bikes of the time. It was sold by a leading Dutch pre-war motorcycle specialist. Known as the ‘Henderson Streamline’ on account of its elegantly styled fuel tank and mudguards, it had a three-speed gearbox, but with its flexible engine it could accelerate from 15 to 160kph in top gear. With its five main bearing crankshaft, it was one of the best American motorbikes of its day.

 

The bike in this auction was discreetly modified by the Cannonball specialists, in particular to offset the difficulty in cooling cylinders one and four, and Paul-Émile B took part in three editions of the rally, starting from New York, Florida and Maine. “They nicknamed me ‘The Flying Frenchman’ because one day the bike fell into a ditch I hadn't seen, where I landed after ‘flying’ without a scratch on the bike or myself. I left ten minutes later to the delight of the spectators and the other competitors.” For his service backup, he relied on his gifted mechanic Michel Magnin, who bought and restored a 1927 Harley-Davidson Type J specially to follow the rally! The bike comes with an extensive spare parts kit, including a complete rebuilt magneto, cylinders, cylinder head, valves and various tools.

“It's a very easy bike to use, which I took out for rides a great deal”, our client said in conclusion. In magnificent condition, it symbolises all that is best about American motorbikes and represents a superb alternative to the Harley-Davidsons which sold in far greater numbers.


Photos © Alexis Ruben 

Contacts

Anne Claire MANDINE
Auctioneer
Tel. +33 1 42 99 20 73
acmandine@artcurial.com
Anne-Claire MANDINE
Sale Administrator
Tel. +33 1 42 99 20 73
motorcars@artcurial.com

Absentee & Telephone Bids

Kristina Vrzests
Tel. +33 1 42 99 20 51
bids@artcurial.com

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