Last year, there were photos of a Henderson streamline floating around the Interwebs and it looked impossibly cool. At least one motorcycle builder thought the same thing and figured he would build something along the same lines using a Honda as the underpinnings and the result is this 1983 Honda Gold Wing 1100 converted into a semi convincing remake of that old Henderson and an interesting bike in its own right.
I came across this oddity while cruising through eBay. There’s not a lot of info in the listing but I give the guy credit for the build, it’s kinda cool and is just the thing to grab the attention of any bystander, whether interested in motorcycles or not.
I did shoot a quick query about the 2005 date in the photos and was told the camera was never set for the current date, this really is a recent build.
If you want something absolutely no one else will be riding, you just found your bike, but this is another example that prompts the question, what do you wear while riding it? Something vintage, to be sure, but what?
Link: Art Deco Gold Wing on eBay – auction over
bbartcadia says
Quite an accomplishment. The world needs more Art Deco.
Mean Monkey says
This is a great looking bike, what fabulous workmanship.
Also, I saw the fantastic Henderson bike a few months ago when a friend forwarded the link, but what I still lust for the 1950’s Vincent Black Prince that was once exhibited at the Crawford Auto/Aviation Collection at Western Reserve Historical Society here in Cleveland.
Carlos says
You would not want the knee to be sliding too much on this bike
MARK 5 says
Very kool!
http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images?_adv_prop=image&fr=yfp-t-463&va=art+deco+henderson+motorcycle
Sfan says
I have said it here before (http://goo.gl/4WMbo), I can’t understand why we don’t see many more custom, concept, commuter and performance bikes competing on the basis of low drag coefficient body work. When you think about it, reducing aerodynamic friction is essentially a neglected and uncharted frontier for improved performance and economy. Even racing bikes have not changed much in half a century.
Yes, I do remember the Yamaha Maxam concept (http://goo.gl/iNtlQ) but this was simply a provocative styling exercise, not a wind tunnel engineered solution to functional design requirements. And, no I am not talking about on-your-back Bonneville Flats streamliners either. I am convinced there are beautiful & functional, aerodynamically-optimized bikes and scooter just waiting for inspired designers to bring them to life.
JasonB says
Here’s one possible reason we don’t see more of them…SIDEWIND!
sfan says
Yes Jason that is a possible reason. This would assume either the total surface area sideways is necessarily greater than conventional surfaces and that streamlined surface is necessarily more vulnerable than a conventional surface. It seems to me that these are variables that can be tested and accounted for in good design. Further, total side-on surface area certainly hasn’t constrained large cruiser and touring bike designs (not to mention bike trailers). Net:net is not self-evident to me that sidewind is a fundamental reason not to streamline.
Andy says
Throw a person on any bike, immediately ruin aerodynamics you spent however long perfecting.
OMMAG says
But …. what to wear with it?
Carolynne says
Ommag you gave me a great laugh
OMMAG says
Ok … that was the first thing that came to mind …. I should have read the article first …. eh?
I’m thinking leather helmet and aero goggles … brown leather safari coat … buckle up knee high boods… heavy duty Berber pants… engineer’s gloves should do….
Carolynne says
Go with your gut reaction it’s golden I am still laughing
Hawk says
Even on the side stand, there’s not much clearance under the bodywork. Not a twisties machine, for sure, eh?
Sportster Mike says
Wow – great bike – ideal for next Batman movie
Clothes? Barbour jacket, world war one flying helmet, goggles and a pipe!!
That should do it, old chap
B50 Jim says
Nothing will do but Belstaff waxed-cotton jacket and riding pants, plus a pudding-bowl helmet, engineer’s boots and gloves. I wonder what the fuel economy is with this machine? If looks counted, it would pull down at least 100 mpg. Deco never goes out of style!
scritch says
What to wear while riding it? How about this?
Scotduke says
Hmm, the back end works better aesthetically than the front if you ask me, but I admire the engineering and the spirit it was designed with. If it was mine I think I’d have wanted a narrower profile at the front, but it isn’t mine and the guy’s done what he wants. The biggest barrier to riding it would be the limited ground clearance. You’ll have to be very careful on curves to stop it grounding out, which wouldn’t do the bodywork much good.
As for what to wear, the German motorcycle cops wear double-breasted leather jackets with buttons at the front that’d look the part. mix one of those with the boots the German motorcycle cops wear an open face Davida lid. Jeans wouldn’t be the part though, have to be the man in black.
Dabber says
What a great imagination to build this bike.
Scotduke says
The ideal car to have beside it in the garage would be a Morgan Aero of course.
Steve says
Beautiful work!
This would be great fun to show up on at a gathering spot in full regalia.
Dr Robert Harms says
Id be scared of it. I agree it looks good (the Jag grill is cool, but the silly windashield is ugly) but the big issue to me is “whats under the shell”. Too often things like that show up on Ebay or other online sources and the underlying construction is a big mystery. How good or bad is it ? Is the body 99% bondo ?? How old and clapped iout is the Gold wing motor ?? A while back there was something like a 1954 Renault with a turbo Subaru that looked really wild enough that I had a momentary interest. Lots of pictures but burried in the pics were a shiot of the front end with welding that was vomitous and unsafe. I inquired about it. The seller than dropped the pics
Paul Crowe - "The Kneeslider" says
I agree, the lack of build or assembly pics is a little scary. If you are going to buy this sight unseen, some photos of what’s underneath are pretty much mandatory.
Carl La Fong says
Very nice. It reminds me of a Maicomobile, my, all time, favorite scooter. I do have to agree with the good doctor. The windshield is very awkward and should have been more upright and blended into the bodywork. Still, I would ride the wheels off of it
Triumphguy says
Sorry people, but am I the only person who thinks Mr. Hankey got wheels and a windshield?