From:Steve Ciccalone
E-Mail:<hensteveamc@aol.com>
Subject:RE: RE: RE: teens Henderson electric system ?
Response to:501
Date:Thu Dec 4 07:42:10 2003
Good morning Henners,

A good example of the system that Dennis refers to exists on
Mike Smith's 1916.  The generator is actually driven off the
cam gear on the right side and protrudes in front of the
motor.  Electrical equipment was provided by Hawthorne. 
Interestingly the horn was inside the headlight.  I had one
of these headlight/horns on an old 1917 Powerplus which went
down the road.  Haven't seen another since.  This
configuration seems to be the Henderson factory supplied
option until Schwinn took over and then it gets really
murky.  The '18 to '23 parts book lists a General Electric
generator for 1919 with unspecified other electric
equipment.  Norm Gerlich's '18 is fitted with electric
lights and horn powered by an ABC generator.  These
generators are interesting because they did not require a
battery.  I have a couple but have not looked at the
regulating system but apparently there is no danger of
overcharging.  The Rex cover is interesting.  The generator
must not have been very big or it would have hit the
downtube on the '15E and later models.  Obviously it would
not have been a problem as a retro fit on the older long
frames but never have seen an ad or photo of one of these
electrically equipped.  I suspect that dealers sold whatever
extra lighting systems they could get from various after
market suppliers until the K models came out electrically
equipped.  Anybody that has access to the motorcycle
periodicals circa 1915-20 may check for ads touting
electrical equipment as virtually all of it was
"aftermarket".  Happy Henning. Steve 

----- ORIGINAL MESSAGE FOLLOWS -----
Hello Hens. Those of you with Rich Schultz's book will find
reference on page 99 to 'REX GENERATOR STORAGE BATTERY
ELECTRIC EQUIPMENT - Complete with head and tail lights,
trouble light and all connections fully installed (see
illustration).............$45' - the illustration is on page
7. There is also a reference on page 124: 'ELECTRICAL
EQUIPMENT - Rex generator, storage battery, head and tail
lights and horn. Generator built in and driven by shaft from
otor. Complete $45'. This was only an optional extra and
suffered from a problem in that the generator would fill
with oil. Maybe this is why, when an electrical syystem
became standard with the introduction of the 1920 model K,
the generator (now Splitdorf) was moved to a new position
above the magneto. Thanks to Dave for the opportunity to do
all this - great fun and keeps the grey cells active! 

----- ORIGINAL MESSAGE FOLLOWS -----
I have a 1 page factory brochure on this setup circa 1916.
It promotes a lighting option consisting of: tail light,
twin bulb head light, handlebar mounted switch, battery
mounted on downtube next to the generator. $45. Detroit
address listed. 

----- ORIGINAL MESSAGE FOLLOWS -----
Not quite KJ...

Teens Henderson electric system ?
Is this what a Henderson Model H used ?

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