The fascinating machine offered here is one of only 200 electric-start ‘Hendee Specials’ built, of which only a tiny handful – probably fewer than half-a-dozen – are known to survive, only three of which are complete. The factory that produced the starter/generator used on the 1913 Cadillac (the first electric-start automobile) was situated next to the Indian factory in Springfield, which no doubt inspired Oliver Hendee to apply the principle to the Indian motorcycle. His business partner Oscar Hedstrom, on the other hand, predicted failure, recognizing the inadequacy of the batteries of the time and their susceptibility to the vibration produced by a motorcycle. It has been speculated that the argument caused Hedstrom’s early retirement that year. The Hendee Specials ended up being subject to three recalls: first to fit magnetos, secondly to fit kick-starters, and finally to remove the heavy 1½hp starter generators. Hence the scarcity of original and complete examples today. The machine offered here is the only known Canadian-built example and was built in the Indian factory at Toronto, which existed from 1912 to 1916. It has been built up from a frame and a set of crankcases discovered in Vancouver, together with correct parts that were sourced from all over the globe over a ten-year period. Most of the restoration was finished around 15-20 years ago, and the machine has acquired a nice patina since then. The engine has been rebuilt properly, and dynamically balanced. A few reproduction cycle parts have been used, but all are of the best quality available and indistinguishable from the originals. The main electrical switch-gear was missing, so modern components were used, but are hidden in the box atop the fuel tank. The vendor advises us that he has never started the bike. A few electrical cables remain to be connected, and this work will have been competed prior to sale. The new owner can have the fun of starting it for the first time if so desired. Modern Japanese batteries, hidden in their boxes, would make a Hendee Special far more dependable today than when new. This machine comes with a kick-start lever and the special magneto conversion (the only one known to exist) which uses an oversized offset gear train to miss the starter. Sold ona British Columbia (Canadian) Certificate of Title.
The fascinating machine offered here is one of only 200 electric-start ‘Hendee Specials’ built, of which only a tiny handful – probably fewer than half-a-dozen – are known to survive, only three of which are complete. The factory that produced the starter/generator used on the 1913 Cadillac (the first electric-start automobile) was situated next to the Indian factory in Springfield, which no doubt inspired Oliver Hendee to apply the principle to the Indian motorcycle. His business partner Oscar Hedstrom, on the other hand, predicted failure, recognizing the inadequacy of the batteries of the time and their susceptibility to the vibration produced by a motorcycle. It has been speculated that the argument caused Hedstrom’s early retirement that year. The Hendee Specials ended up being subject to three recalls: first to fit magnetos, secondly to fit kick-starters, and finally to remove the heavy 1½hp starter generators. Hence the scarcity of original and complete examples today. The machine offered here is the only known Canadian-built example and was built in the Indian factory at Toronto, which existed from 1912 to 1916. It has been built up from a frame and a set of crankcases discovered in Vancouver, together with correct parts that were sourced from all over the globe over a ten-year period. Most of the restoration was finished around 15-20 years ago, and the machine has acquired a nice patina since then. The engine has been rebuilt properly, and dynamically balanced. A few reproduction cycle parts have been used, but all are of the best quality available and indistinguishable from the originals. The main electrical switch-gear was missing, so modern components were used, but are hidden in the box atop the fuel tank. The vendor advises us that he has never started the bike. A few electrical cables remain to be connected, and this work will have been competed prior to sale. The new owner can have the fun of starting it for the first time if so desired. Modern Japanese batteries, hidden in their boxes, would make a Hendee Special far more dependable today than when new. This machine comes with a kick-start lever and the special magneto conversion (the only one known to exist) which uses an oversized offset gear train to miss the starter. Sold ona British Columbia (Canadian) Certificate of Title.
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.jpg "Quelle: Christie's")
.jpg "Quelle: Christie's")
