An ACE was lost today December 11, 1922 309s

A visionary and trailblazer in the early 20th-century motorcycle industry, William

G. Henderson left an indelible mark with his contributions as the co-founder

of Henderson Motorcycles and later as the founder of Ace Motor Corporation.

Born in 1886, in Scottland, Henderson's fascination with mechanical engineering

manifested at an early age. His passion for innovation and machinery set the

stage for a remarkable career that would shape the landscape of American

motorcycles.

In 1911, Henderson, alongside his brother Tom, embarked on a journey that would

define his legacy. Together, they founded the Henderson Motorcycle Company in

Detroit, Michigan. The company quickly gained acclaim for producing powerful,

reliable, and well-engineered motorcycles. Henderson's keen engineering acumen

was evident in the inline four-cylinder inline engines that powered their

motorcycles, setting them apart from the competition.

The pinnacle of Henderson's early career came with the introduction of the

Henderson Model D, which featured a groundbreaking 1,301 cc engine. Launched in

1912, the Model D became an icon of American motorcycle design, admired for its

speed and innovative features. Henderson Motorcycles established a reputation

for excellence, earning the loyalty of riders who sought performance and

quality.

Alan Bedell was one of those riders, on June 13, 1917 Bedwell traversed his Henderson from Los Angeles, California, to New York City, roughly 3300 miles in seven days, sixteen hours, and fifteen minutes,

breaking the record set by “Cannonball” Baker on an Indian Twin. It was such a proud

moment for the Henderson brothers that beer was free in Detroit that day.

Despite their record-breaking and endurance racing success, the industry was not

without its challenges. In 1917, as the United States entered World War I, the

government redirected manufacturing efforts toward the war. Henderson

Motorcycles, like many other companies, shifted production to support the war

effort by providing motorcycles for military use.

Henderson faced financial difficulties, and in 1917, the Henderson brothers sold their

company to Ignaz Schwinn, the owner of Excelsior Motor Manufacturing &

Supply Company. Despite parting ways with the company he co-founded, William G.

Henderson's passion for motorcycles persisted.

Determined to make another mark on the industry, Henderson didn't stay on the sidelines

for long. In 1919, he founded the Ace Motor Corporation in Philadelphia,

Pennsylvania. With a renewed commitment to innovation, Henderson set out to

create motorcycles that would captivate enthusiasts once again.

Under Henderson's leadership, Ace Motor Corporation introduced the Ace Four,

featuring Henderson’s tried and true inline 4-cyl, a powerful 1,047 cc engine was

created, and carefully designed so as not to infringe on any of Schwinn’s patents.

Henderson's dedication to engineering excellence and performance shone through,

and the Ace Four garnered acclaim for its advanced features, including a

triple-speed transmission and a modern fork design.

William G. Henderson tragically perished on this day December 11, 1922, after colliding

with a delivery truck while testing a prototype ACE Sporting Solo. Henderson’s

impact on the motorcycle industry was profound. His commitment to engineering

excellence and innovation continues to be celebrated, with the motorcycles he

played a key role in designing becoming revered classics. Henderson's legacy

lives on in the spirit of motorcycle enthusiasts who appreciate the pioneering

contributions of this visionary figure in the early history of...