Hendersons used in the 1920's Beverly Hills Police Dept.

[dgale914]

Hi AMCA Members,

My name is Doug Gale and I'm new to the group and thought I'd share a photo and story with you....

My grandfather was one of the first 8 Beverley Hills PD officers. He was also the 1st BHPD bike cop and his service bike appears to have been a 1924 to 1927 Henderson. We did some research with the Beverly Hills PD Historic Society and found pics of him on the bike, etc. We also have his badge #7 and other related memorabilia. He died in 1931 from complications resulting from a gunshot wound he received a couple of years earlier. No one (not even my father) ever knew the man as my father was 18 months old when he died. Funny thing.... I've been riding motorcycles since I was 5 years old and still ride today. Now I know where I got the 'bug'!

I'm now 53 years old but my son is now 20. He's getting into cars & bikes so we're looking for a 24 to 27 Henderson that is either running or not to restore. I'd buy one 'done' but as you veteran classic bike guys know a restored Henderson may require a small mortgage! My goal is to restore the bike and keep it in the family along with my grandfathers BHPD documentation, badge #7, and his story.

I know there are a lot of other bike options out there but this one has particular sentimental significance to our family. Send me a message if you know of one that a fellow collector has that may want to part with.

The following pic is of the original 1924 BHPD - 8 officers and my grandfather is the one on the bike on the right side of the photo.

Thanks

Doug Gale

RC Gale with BHPD.jpgR.C Gale.jpg

[Tom Lovejoy]

Very cool, thanks for sharing and good luck in your search. They are out there, good news too. Henderson Deluxes are about the best deal you can get on a four cylinder. They are excellent machines and they made the most of the Deluxe than any other model. They are the cheapest way into the American four cylinders. I have been riding mine for 18 years now :-)

[dgale914]

Thanks for the note Tom. I haven't done a lot of research on the Deluxes yet but am hopeful I can find one in reasonable condition and at a reasonable price. Aside from this forum, do you have any recommendations as to where else to look or specific collectors that may have a lead on one?

Let me know.

Doug

[Steve Swan]

Handsome officer. Would you be willing to share his story... was he a WW1 vet ? What is story of his gunshot wound? How old was he in picture ?

[Tommo]

I saved this photo from a motorcycle magazine a while ago.
Don't blame me for the caption, it's all down to the editor of the magazine and I can't remember the title of the magazine either.

[Tom Lovejoy]

I know of one or two, but would not recomend them - baskits cases with lots of issues and the guys want top dollar. I would recomend the books Golden Age of the fours, a great chapther on Hendersons - when I read it, that made my decission and I went back and bought my baskit case. Also the books by R Schultz - Hendersons those elegant machines. They are a good source of info, take your time and do all you can to learn about the machines. They are the cheapest of the big fours, but they are expensive and engine work is very expensive and many are not qualified to do the work. Lot's to learn, plus make connections. You might try the Indian four cylinder club, I think there are Hendersons in there too.Also some good info on the Kj Henderson site on the net. Might try posting an add in the mag, also on the facebook AMCA page, just use caution and don't jump - take your time. Good luck

[BigLakeBob]

http://www.hendersonkj.com/

[dgale914]

Steve,

From the records we found he was 40 years old in the picture and died a age 44. The partially substantiated background on his death was that he was shot in the leg by a burglar and ended up with chronic infections after the injury. These infections led to Bacterial Mitral Endocarditis of the mitral and aortic heart valves. He went into the hospital for a corrective procedure on April 25th 1931 and died in the hospital 3 days later. He served in the BHPD from 1924 to 1931. No records of him serving in the military during WW1.

Doug

[Steve Swan]

Thanks for sharing that. Wow. What a story. The things people went through then that we don't go through today.