tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2693775542020483450.post4577003603852488816..comments2024-03-29T03:14:14.667-04:00Comments on Progress is fine, but it's gone on for too long.: 1947 Velocette KSS, Don Henderson, DetroitMister Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17663484841011868779noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2693775542020483450.post-32883240614314774082023-04-09T18:29:42.318-04:002023-04-09T18:29:42.318-04:00I have a 1981 Honda CB750K with one of Don's d...I have a 1981 Honda CB750K with one of Don's decals on the rear fender in my shop at this time. Purchased from a retiree in Sun City AZ it's undergoing 'rehab' and will be marketed in the coming future. Great to see what it all came from. Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11235389591746545679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2693775542020483450.post-2470053081329135872022-09-26T19:17:08.534-04:002022-09-26T19:17:08.534-04:00Hello,
I bought my first BMW from Don Henderson&...Hello, <br /><br />I bought my first BMW from Don Henderson's M/C. It was a 1978 BMW R80/7, Havana Gold. I wish I still had that bike. <br /><br />And, now that I'm thinking about it, my first (and only) Yamaha, a 1975 XS650. <br /><br />I would pass by his shop on my way to and from middle school. <br /><br />It seamed like Don was always at his shop, sales, mechanic, parts, etc. It was a pleasure to talk and do business with him. <br /><br />You may also want to know that a 1930 Velocette KSS took first place in Class 1, and second overall in the 2022 Cross Country Chase. This year the chase started in Springfield IL. and ended 2300 miles later on the Santa Monica Pier. <br /><br />Regards, Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15584609230374687627noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2693775542020483450.post-50843902324429908392022-02-19T17:14:19.009-05:002022-02-19T17:14:19.009-05:00Donald built the shop on Fenkell in 1969 and opene...Donald built the shop on Fenkell in 1969 and opened in Spring of 1970 as a Triumph only dealer. During the winter of 1973 he built an addition to accommodate the addition of Yamaha. In the winter of 1975 he reorganized and added BMW with /6 models. Before selling the Shop in 1980 Don obtained a Honda franchise for the buyers. <br />Don moved to St. Petersburg, Fl. Had a house on sailboat water with his "Anna B" behind the house. He and family sailed through the Keys, Bahamas, Long Island Sound, Martha's Vineyards, and Newport RI. He got back into riding motorcycles with K model BMWs with his last being 2007 K1200RS. <br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11510920351138241901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2693775542020483450.post-31024759939031334702020-11-13T09:34:57.764-05:002020-11-13T09:34:57.764-05:00Thanks for the note! Love to hear the stories. Do ...Thanks for the note! Love to hear the stories. Do you know what year he moved shop? I;ev sent a message to your email. Mister Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17663484841011868779noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2693775542020483450.post-3542276664025808102020-11-07T03:24:32.789-05:002020-11-07T03:24:32.789-05:00Around 1962 I graduated from high school. Home was...Around 1962 I graduated from high school. Home was near Beach Road and Grand River.About that time I got my first car it was a 29 Ford pick up.From 62- 64 I had a scholarship to the University of Houston and moved back to Michigan.From 64 to 69 I was tuning motorcycles and spent many hours at Don's shop but did not work for him.. He was always there to help.He had a close friend Eddy Strapp who used to tinker on his own bikes at Don's shop. When Don had to move I bought one of Eddies bikes a 47 Knucklehead with 80 flat head flywheels.Eddy also had a 56 square four with the head turned around backwards.From 69 on I got a Harley Davidson Dealership in Saginaw Michigan. and lost contact from then on.Don built my Ice Racer.. a B33 BSA FRAME with the fork neck raked in to the point the tire would just clear pipe and frame.The rear wheel was spoked in for a 16 inch tire Shores motorcycles had a machine to shread the tire cleats for grip on the ice.We raced at Walled Lake and when they started using #8 sheet metal screws was the last year I raced.About 750 screws per tire. To really win races you had to drill the middle of the sheet screw to a razor sharp edge.I never saw Don race.. He did have a Vincent drag bike in the window of his shop. When I first met him he was still racing it.When racing I was always sparing with George Bartal.who had a BSA silver star 350 some years later I bought his 1/2 miler gold star.In the 250 class I raced a Bultaco 200cc Rickman.I can also be reached at Microcars@hotmail.com Leo STEYRPUCHMANhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07916115154194976401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2693775542020483450.post-54186698234996164552017-12-12T11:12:46.899-05:002017-12-12T11:12:46.899-05:00Hi All,
I was Don's next door neighbor for ne...Hi All,<br /><br />I was Don's next door neighbor for nearly 30 years. He was a true and loyal friend. This bike was displayed in his house and only driven once annually for many years until 2010 or so. A neighbor and friend traded or purchased the bike sometime around that time and supposedly still has it in his home.<br /><br />Bill Mellon Bill Mellonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15561425859152891804noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2693775542020483450.post-65525345126281486572017-08-11T22:29:13.672-04:002017-08-11T22:29:13.672-04:00Thanks, Andy for your note, from all accounts he w...Thanks, Andy for your note, from all accounts he was an interesting and all round great guy. Any anecdotes, history or pictures you'd like to contribute, I'll add to the post.Mister Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17663484841011868779noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2693775542020483450.post-54477528378456310412017-08-09T20:25:45.407-04:002017-08-09T20:25:45.407-04:00To Bob and anybody else listening,
It would have ...To Bob and anybody else listening,<br /><br />It would have been my dad's birthday the other day so I looked him up and found this. What wonderful words you said about my dad?! I don't know all the history to tell much about the bike but I was brought to tears by this. He was my dad and this may or may not be the bike but I'm going to find out and get back to you guys. I rode on the back of that thing growing up. Amazing!<br /><br />Andy HendersonRecorgasmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11818358036574073971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2693775542020483450.post-43815810863087326322017-03-31T18:09:57.304-04:002017-03-31T18:09:57.304-04:00Thanks for the comment and information! If you hav...Thanks for the comment and information! If you have any pictures, I'd love to add them to the post.<br />Mister Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17663484841011868779noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2693775542020483450.post-33204797803587555792017-03-23T07:51:33.602-04:002017-03-23T07:51:33.602-04:00Hi..for a short period of time in the late 80s don...Hi..for a short period of time in the late 80s don was my neighbor across the street from me in St pete florida.He was a great guy to know and I will always cherish the memory of him.I have a picture of him and his son on his machine, andrew I believe....<br /> He and I traveled to the AHRMA races at daytona one year and it was a real experience since he knew so many people on that circuit.The british only guys especially.<br /> Don was also a sailor and had a taiwan built sailboat tied to his dock in the backyard.The family would go to the bahamas every year when he had the boat.<br /> You could not ask for a better neighbor and human than Don...great guy to know and both of us being motorcycle guys were naturals to get along.....Bob BuchholzAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2693775542020483450.post-5536785614586190662015-04-16T04:22:48.112-04:002015-04-16T04:22:48.112-04:00Great story, great project, lucky man!Great story, great project, lucky man!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com