1926 Excelsior Henderson

[Gummiente]

The wife and I were motoring about Grey County today and as we rode through the town of Hanover my eyes were drawn to the sight of an old bike parked outside a Pizza joint. I'd seen it a few times riding around in the area before, but never had a chance to view it up close, so I immediately wheeled around and went back for a closer look. As I stood there taking photos with my camera, the owner came out and I had a chat with him. He told me it was a 1926 Excelsior Henderson with several parts from a 1928 model, as well as more than a few pieces made by himself during the restoration. He rides it daily, having logged 4,000 miles already this season and says it's a very pleasant and dependable machine to operate.

We watched as he went through the ritual of pre-start, then I finally had the presence of mind to get the video record running on my camera as he rode away. The video doesn't really capture the beautiful sound of that motor; both the wife and I thought it sounded more like an airplane engine than a motorcycle motor...

[video=youtube;b5Vra3cq8bU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5Vra3cq8bU[/video]

 

[Wingboy]

I think i saw that bike a couple of weeks ago up that way.I love to see people keep them on the road instead of on a shelf like a dead hunting trophy.We should hook up sometime Mike.I didn't realize you were out this way.I thought you were located east.

 

[Gummiente]

We should hook up sometime Mike.I didn't realize you were out this way.I thought you were located east.

Moved to Durham from Gananoque three years ago, actually. Always game for a ride and a coffee, schedule permitting.

 

[TwistedKestrel]

Wow, that's bananas. I'm studying these pictures and trying to figure out how this thing works, lol. Is that big round thing in the back the clutch?

 

[Gummiente]

Wow, that's bananas. I'm studying these pictures and trying to figure out how this thing works, lol. Is that big round thing in the back the clutch?

If you're referring to the second pic, yes, that is the flywheel and clutch. Third pic shows the kickstarter (connected to the gearbox) and the clutch pedal (at the front of the floorboard). As for the two levers going up to the gas tank, if you follow the linkages you'll see one connects to the gearbox while the other is an alternate clutch lever operated by the hand. What none of the pics show is that the throttle grip is on the LEFT side of the handlebar, while the grip on the right is twisted to manually advance or retard the ignition spark advance.