Please Note: This bike is a part of the James Richard Kries Estate Collection. As it is part of an estate, we do not have any history for these bikes.
In 1928, Excelsior hired Arthur Constantine away from Harley to become their Chief Engineer – he immediately redesigned their DeLuxe model into the KJ, also known as the Streamline. Henderson marketed it as having 57 new features, and it was capable of hitting 100 miles per hour.
The KJ was available between 1929 and 1931 (when the boss of Schwinn/Excelsior/Henderson) famously called his department heads together and told them, with no warning, “Gentlemen, today we stop.” He did not expect the Great Depression to end soon and he wanted to focus the business on bicycle production. Until then, the KJ produced 40 horsepower and was ahead of its time with features like an illuminated speedometer mounted on the gas tank (Harley would copy that 5 years later) and leading link forks.
This example is VIN: KJ30013. The seller titled it in 1983, it was previously titled in California.
The odometer is missing, true mileage is unknown. The odometer reading was 16,223 per the title the seller acquired in 1983.
Maintenance:
We do not have any maintenance history for this bike.
Modifications:
We believe this bike is stock, though the headlight and some other parts are missing.
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Mitusboshi tires that have aged out.
The sale does not include any keys.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album in the “Photos” tab for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
Currently located in Miami, Florida, this Henderson is offered on a clean Florida title. Have any KJ stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
