WIlliam Henderson was constantly working to improve his four-cylinder motorcycle. Unlike modern design and production schedules, he would make improvements to a wide range of mechanical items as the bikes were being built. For 1917, there were probably close to 3,000 bikes manufactured. My engine number, 9661, would be very late in 1917. It turns out that the length of the “minor fork” in the front end changed by a small amount. When the current Cannonball bike was assembled a year ago, the front fork link geometry was not quite right. Under the watchful eye of Mark Hill, the 4th Coast Fours “factory recall” program replaced the correct length minor fork.
We also used two springs in the housing, one for rebound and one for compression which should improve overall road feel.
A short test ride indicated success but the real deal is coming soon….on to Portland, Maine!