Henderson De Luxe

The Henderson De Luxe was the Excelsior-built Henderson four that replaced the Model K in 1922 and remained the top of the line until 1928. Its in-line four produced 28 hp at 3,400 rpm when new, with a larger carburetor, a better intake manifold and rear brakes, a redesigned crankshaft and cylinder head cooling, and options of Lynite alloy pistons and a revised reverse gear. The police version reached 98 mph for the Chicago police and 100 mph for the San Diego police, and in April 1922 a De Luxe beat a Harley-Davidson in eleven of twelve heats at Dundee Road, Chicago. In May 1922 Wells Bennet rode one to a 24 hour record of 1,562.54 miles at Tacoma, a mark not beaten until 1933. The frame was lowered in 1925, Ricardo cylinder heads and 35 hp at 3,800 rpm arrived in 1927, and the final 1928 version gained leading link forks and a front brake.