Art-Deco Custom Built 1930 Henderson

Every once in a while, some notable custom machines cross our path and so is the case with this art deco-inspired cruiser. Based on a 1930 Henderson motorbike, this custom built two-wheeled vehicle was on display at the Rhinebeck Grand National Meet last month, causing a stir among visitors.

Some think the vehicle is an impressive piece of work, others that the bike is too exaggerated in its lines or that some pieces don’t work together, such as the color of the seat.

Powered by an inline four-cylinder, this machine took an incredible amount of time to be restored and rebuilt, Bikeexif reports. Originally built by O. Ray Courtney in 1936, it is currently owned by Frank Westfall, a motorcycle collector who is actually riding this bike form time to time around Syracuse.

“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,” Grail Mortillaro form Knucklebuster was quoted as saying by the aforementioned source.

The Streamline model, also known as the "KJ", was manufactured from 1929 to 1931, having a power of 40 bhp at 4000 rpm. The bike could reach a top speed of 100 mph (160 km/h). Advanced for that period of time, the machine featured leading-link forks and an illuminated speedometer built into the fuel tank. It also had a five main bearing crankshaft, and down draft carburetion. Anybody could buy the bike for $435.