EXCELSIOR HENDERSON MOTORCYCLE MANUFACTURING CO
S-8, 1997-10-22
MOTORCYCLES, BICYCLES & PARTS
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<PAGE>
       As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 22, 1997
                                                      Registration No. 333-     
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                          SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                               WASHINGTON, D. C.  20549

                              -------------------------

                                       FORM S-8

                                REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                        UNDER
                              THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                              --------------------------

                 EXCELSIOR-HENDERSON MOTORCYCLE MANUFACTURING COMPANY
                (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

              MINNESOTA                                  41-1771946
    (State or other jurisdiction of                   (I.R.S. Employer 
    incorporation or organization)                    Identification No.)


      607 WEST TRAVELERS TRAIL                               55337
       BURNSVILLE, MINNESOTA                               (Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive offices)


                 EXCELSIOR-HENDERSON MOTORCYCLE MANUFACTURING COMPANY
                         AMENDED AND RESTATED 1995 STOCK PLAN
                               (Full title of the plan)

    Daniel L. Hanlon                                  David P. Hanlon
  Co-Founder and Co-Chief                          Co-Founder and Co-Chief
    Executive Officer                                 Executive Officer

                 Excelsior-Henderson Motorcycle Manufacturing Company
                               607 West Travelers Trail
                             Burnsville, Minnesota  55337
                       (Name and address of agent for service)

   Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service:  (612) 894-9229

                                ----------------------

                           CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       Proposed
                                                Proposed                maximum
      Title of              Amount              maximum                aggregate          Amount of
    securities to           to be            offering price            offering          registration
    be registered       registered (1)      per share (1) (2)        price (1) (2)           fee
<S>                     <C>                 <C>                      <C>                 <C>
     Common Stock,         666,667                $5.78                   $3,853,335.26       $1,167.68
    $.01 par value         shares

</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(1) The Registration Statement relates to 666,667 shares of Common Stock to be
    offered pursuant to the Registrant's Amended and Restated 1995 Stock Plan.
(2) Estimated solely for the purpose of the registration fee pursuant to
    Rule 457(h)(1) based on the average of the high and low sales prices per
    share of the Registrant's Common Stock on October 17, 1997, as reported on
    the Nasdaq National Market.  

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<PAGE>

                 EXCELSIOR-HENDERSON MOTORCYCLE MANUFACTURING COMPANY

                                       PART II

                  INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT


ITEM 3.  INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE.

         The following documents, previously filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "Commission") pursuant to the Securities Act of 
1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), are, as of their respective dates,
incorporated by reference and made a part hereof:

              (1)  The Company's prospectus dated July 23, 1997 and filed 
         July 24, 1997, pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Securities Act, which
         contains audited financial statements for the Company's fiscal year
         ended December 31, 1996 (File No. 333-27789).

              (2)  All other reports filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d)
         of the Exchange Act since the end of the fiscal year ended December 
         31, 1996 (File No. 000-22765).

              (3)  The description of the Company's Common Stock which is
         contained in the Registration Statement on Form 8-A (Registration No.
         000-22765) filed June 27, 1997, (and declared effective on July 23,
         1997) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
         "Exchange Act") and all amendments and reports filed for the purpose
         of updating such description.

         All reports and other documents subsequently filed by the Company
pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to
the date of this Registration Statement and prior to the filing of a
post-effective amendment which indicate that all of the shares of Common Stock
offered have been sold or which deregister all shares of the Common Stock then
remaining unsold shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in and a part
of this Registration Statement from the date of filing of such documents.  

         Any statement contained in a document incorporated, or deemed to be
incorporated, by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded
for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement
contained herein or incorporated herein by reference or in any other
subsequently filed document that also is or is deemed to be incorporated by
reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement.  Any statement so
modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded,
to constitute a part of this Registration Statement.  

ITEM 4.  DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES.

         Not Applicable.

ITEM 5.  INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL.

         Not Applicable.

ITEM 6.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

         Under Section 4.01 of the Company's By-Laws, the Company indemnifies
its directors and officers and advances litigation expenses to the fullest
extent required or permitted by Minnesota Statutes Section 302A.521.  Section
302A.521 requires the Company to indemnify a person made or threatened to be
made a party to a proceeding, by reason of the former or present official
capacity of the person with respect to the 


                                         II-1

<PAGE>

Company, against judgments, penalties, fines, including without limitation,
excise taxes assessed against the person with respect to an employee benefit
plan, settlements, and reasonable expenses, including attorneys' fees and
disbursements, if, with respect to the acts or omissions of the person
complained of in the proceeding, such person (1) has not been indemnified by
another organization or employee benefit plan for the same judgments, penalties,
fines, including without limitation, excise taxes assessed against the person
with respect to an employee benefit plan, settlements, and reasonable expenses,
including attorneys' fees and disbursements, incurred by the person in
connection with the proceeding with respect to the same acts or omissions; (2)
acted in good faith; (3) received no improper personal benefit, and statutory
procedure has been followed in the case of any conflict of interest by a
director; (4) in the case of a criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to
believe the conduct was unlawful; and (5) in the case of acts or omissions
occurring in the person's performance in the official capacity of director or,
for a person not a director, in the official capacity of officer, committee
member, employee or agent, reasonably believed that the conduct was in the best
interests of the Company, or in the case of performance by a director, officer,
employee or agent of the Company as a director, officer, partner, trustee,
employee or agent of another organization or employee benefit plan, reasonably
believed that the conduct was not opposed to the best interests of the Company. 
In addition, Section 302A.521, subd. 3, requires payment by the Company upon
written request, of reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition in
certain instances.

    The Articles of Incorporation of the Company eliminate the personal
liability of a director to the Company or its shareholders for monetary damages
for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except under certain circumstances
involving any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the Company or its
shareholders, acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional
misconduct or a knowing violation of law, for any unlawful acts under Sections
302A.559 or 80A.23 of Minnesota Statutes, or for any transaction from which a
director derives an improper personal benefit.  

ITEM 7.  EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED.

         Not Applicable.

ITEM 8.  EXHIBITS.

    Exhibit                            Description
    -------                            -----------

    4                   Excelsior-Henderson Motorcycle Manufacturing Company
                        Amended and Restated 1995 Stock Plan.

    5                   Opinion of Faegre & Benson LLP.

    23.1                Consent of Faegre & Benson LLP (contained in Exhibit 5
                        to this Registration Statement).

    23.2                Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.

    24                  Powers of Attorney.


                                         II-2

<PAGE>

ITEM 9.   UNDERTAKINGS.

     A.   The Company hereby undertakes:

          (1)  To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
     made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement;  

               (i)     To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of
          the Securities Act of 1933; 

               (ii)    To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising
          after the effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most
          recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the
          aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth
          in the Registration Statement.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
          increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total
          dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was
          registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the
          estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of
          prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in
          the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than
          a twenty percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set
          forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective
          Registration Statement; and 

               (iii)   To include any material information with respect to the
          plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration
          Statement or any material change to such information in the
          Registration Statement;

PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that paragraphs (A)(1)(i) and (A)(1)(ii) do not apply if the
Registration Statement is on Form S-3 or Form S-8, and the information required
to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in
periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Company
pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
that are incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement.

          (2)  That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
     Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be
     a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein,
     and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the
     initial bona fide offering thereof.

          (3)  To remove from registration by means of a post-effective
     amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
     termination of the offering.

     B.   The Company hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any
liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the Company's annual
report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual
report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934) that
is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be
a new registration statement relating to the securities offered herein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.

     C.   Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling
persons of the Company pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the
Company has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act
and is, therefore, unenforceable.  In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Company of expenses
incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Company in
the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the Company will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling 


                                         II-3

<PAGE>

precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and
will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.


                                         II-4

<PAGE>

                                      SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the
Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Burnsville,
State of Minnesota, on October 22, 1997.

                              EXCELSIOR-HENDERSON MOTORCYCLE 
                                MANUFACTURING COMPANY


                              By   /s/ Daniel L. Hanlon
                                --------------------------------------
                                   Daniel L. Hanlon
                                   Co-Chief Executive Officer


                              By   /s/ David P. Hanlon
                                --------------------------------------
                                   David P. Hanlon
                                   Co-Chief Executive Officer

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities indicated on October 22, 1997.

Signature                               Title
- ---------                               -----

/s/ Daniel L. Hanlon               Co-Founder, Co-Chief Executive Officer and
- -------------------------          Co-Chairman of the Board
Daniel L. Hanlon                   (Principal Executive Officer)


/s/ David P. Hanlon                Co-Founder, Co-Chief Executive Officer and
- -------------------------          Co-Chairman of the Board
David P. Hanlon


/s/ Thomas M. Rootness             Senior Vice President of Finance and
- -------------------------          Administration and Chief Financial Officer
Thomas M. Rootness                 (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

John B. Donahue*                   Director

Wayne M. Fortun*                   Director

David R. Pomije*                   Director


*    Daniel L. Hanlon, by signing his name hereto, does hereby sign this
document on behalf of each of the above named directors of the Registrant
pursuant to powers of attorney duly executed by each person.

                              By   /s/ Daniel L. Hanlon               
                                -------------------------------------------
                                   Daniel L. Hanlon, Attorney in Fact


                                         II-5

<PAGE>

                                  INDEX TO EXHIBITS

                                                               Method
Exhibit             Description                               of Filing
- -------             -----------                               ---------

4         Excelsior-Henderson Motorcycle Manufacturing 
          Company Amended and Restated 1995 Stock Plan .  Filed Electronically

5         Opinion of Faegre & Benson LLP . . . . . . . .  Filed Electronically

23.1      Consent of Faegre & Benson LLP
          (contained in its opinion filed as Exhibit 5 
          to this Registration Statement)

23.2      Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP . . . . . . . .  Filed Electronically

24        Powers of Attorney . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  Filed Electronically





                                         II-6



<PAGE>
                                                                     EXHIBIT 4
                                                                        REV 97

                 EXCELSIOR-HENDERSON MOTORCYCLE MANUFACTURING COMPANY

                         AMENDED AND RESTATED 1995 STOCK PLAN


    1.   AMENDMENT OF EXISTING PLAN; PURPOSE.  This Excelsior-Henderson
Motorcycle Manufacturing Company Amended and Restated 1995 Stock Plan (the
"Plan") amends and restates in its entirety the Hanlon Manufacturing Company
1995 Stock Plan.  The purpose of the Plan is to attract, motivate and retain
employees, directors, advisors and officers to produce a superior return to the
shareholders of Excelsior-Henderson Motorcycle Manufacturing Company by offering
such persons an opportunity to realize Stock appreciation, by facilitating Stock
ownership and by rewarding them for achieving a high level of corporate
financial performance.  The Plan is also intended to facilitate recruiting and
retaining experienced and knowledgeable advisors and independent contractors by
permitting such persons to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company.

    2.   DEFINITIONS AND RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.  The capitalized terms used in
this Plan have the meanings, and certain rules of construction are, set forth in
the list of defined terms attached to this Plan as EXHIBIT A.

    3.   ADMINISTRATION.

         3.1  AUTHORITY OF COMMITTEE.  The Committee shall administer the Plan. 
    The Committee shall have exclusive power to make Awards, to determine when
    and to whom Awards will be granted, the form of each Award, the amount of
    each Award, and any other terms or conditions of each Award.  Each Award
    shall be subject to an Agreement authorized by the Committee.  The
    Committee's interpretation of the Plan and of any Awards made under the
    Plan shall be final and binding on all persons with an interest therein. 
    The Committee shall have the power to establish regulations to administer
    the Plan and to change such regulations.  Solely for purposes of
    determining and administering Awards to Participants who are not then
    subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16 of the Exchange Act,
    the Committee may delegate all or any portion of its authority under the
    Plan to persons who are not Non-Employee Directors.  

         3.2  AWARDS TO OUTSIDE DIRECTORS.  Notwithstanding any contrary
    provisions of the Plan, the granting, terms, conditions and eligibility
    requirements of Awards granted to Outside Directors under Section 9.3 of
    the Plan are governed solely by the provisions of the Plan pertaining
    thereto, and the Committee shall have no discretion with respect to the
    granting of such Awards or to alter or amend any terms, conditions or
    eligibility requirements of such Awards to Outside Directors.  Provided,
    however, that the Committee may make Awards to Outside Directors in
    addition to 


<PAGE>

    Awards granted under such Section 9.3 and such other Awards need not be
    upon the same terms as Awards granted under such Section 9.3

         3.3  INDEMNIFICATION.  To the full extent permitted by law, (i) no
    member of the Committee or any person to whom the Committee delegates
    authority under the Plan shall be liable for any action or determination
    taken or made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any Award made
    under the Plan, and (ii) the members of the Committee and each person to
    whom the Committee delegates authority under the Plan shall be entitled to
    indemnification by the Company with regard to such actions and
    determinations.

    4.   SHARES AVAILABLE UNDER THE PLAN.  

         4.1  SHARES AVAILABLE.  The number of Shares available for
    distribution under the Plan shall not exceed 666,66* (subject to adjustment
    pursuant to Section 15 hereof).  Any Shares subject to the terms and
    conditions of an Award under this Plan which are not used because the terms
    and conditions of the Award are not met may again be used for an Award
    under the Plan.

         4.2  CONDITIONAL ISSUANCES.  If the Plan is amended at any time
    subject to shareholder approval, then the Committee may, in accordance with
    the terms and conditions of the Plan, grant Awards on a conditional basis,
    subject to such approval by the shareholders of the Company not later than
    the next annual meeting of the shareholders of the Company following the
    date of such conditional grant.  Any Award granted on a conditional basis
    shall not be exercisable unless and until the amendment to the Plan is
    approved by the shareholders of the Company.  If such an amendment is not
    approved by the shareholders at the next annual meeting of shareholders of
    the Company following the conditional grant, then the conditional grant
    shall be canceled.

     5.   ELIGIBILITY.  Except as otherwise provided in Section 9 hereof,
the granting of Awards to Participants is solely at the discretion of the
Committee.  The Committee shall determine the Participants, and the form,
amount and other terms and conditions of each Award, taking into
consideration such factors, including any recommendations of officers of
the Company, as it deems relevant to select and motivate Participants to
advance the interests of the Company.  Participants shall be persons
determined by the Committee as having contributed materially to the success
of the Company or as being in a position to contribute materially to the
future success of the Company.

    6.   GENERAL TERMS OF AWARDS.

__________________
*  Reflects a 2 for 3 reverse split of the Company's Common Stock on May 21, 
   1997.


                                          2

<PAGE>

         6.1  AMOUNT OF AWARD.  Each Agreement shall set forth the number of
    Shares of Restricted Stock or other Stock subject to such Agreement, or the
    number of Shares to which the Option subject to such Agreement applies, as
    the case may be.

         6.2  TERM.  Each Agreement, other than those relating solely to Awards
    of Stock without restrictions, shall set forth the Term of the Option or
    Restricted Stock, as the case may be.  An Agreement may permit acceleration
    of the commencement of the applicable Term and the expiration of any
    restrictions on exercisability upon such terms and conditions as shall be
    set forth in the Agreement, which may, but need not, include without
    limitation acceleration resulting from the occurrence of an Event,
    Fundamental Change, the meeting of performance objectives established by
    the Committee in an Agreement, or in the event of the Participant's death
    or Retirement.  

         6.3  TRANSFERABILITY.  During the lifetime of a Participant to whom an
    Award is granted, only such Participant (or such Participant's legal
    representative) may exercise an Option.  No Award of Restricted Stock
    (prior to the expiration of the restrictions) or Options may be sold,
    assigned, transferred, exchanged or otherwise encumbered other than
    pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order as defined in the Code or
    Title 1 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act ("ERISA") or the
    rules thereunder, and any attempt to do so shall be of no effect. 
    Notwithstanding the immediately preceding sentence, an Agreement may
    provide that (i) the Award subject to the Agreement shall be transferable
    to a Successor in the event of a Participant's death or (ii) a
    Non-Statutory Stock Option shall be transferable to any member of a
    Participant's "immediate family" (as such term is defined in Rule 16a-1(e)
    promulgated under the Exchange Act, or any successor rule or regulation) or
    to one or more trusts whose beneficiaries are members of such 
    Participant's "immediate family" or partnerships in which such family
    members are the only partners; provided, however, that (1) the Agreement
    with respect to such Options, which must be approved by the Committee,
    expressly so provides either at the time of initial grant or by amendment
    to an outstanding Agreement, (2) the Participant receives no consideration
    for the transfer and (3) such transferred Non-Statutory Stock Option shall
    continue to be subject to the same terms and conditions as were applicable
    to such Non-Statutory Stock Option immediately prior to its transfer.

         6.4  TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT.  Except as otherwise provided in the
    applicable Agreement with any Participant, for any Participant who is an
    employee of the Company, no Option may be exercised by the Participant, and
    all Restricted Stock held by the Participant shall be forfeited (i) after
    the 45th day following the day the Participant's employment by the Company
    ceases if such cessation of employment is for a reason other than death,
    Retirement, or Total and Permanent Disability, or (ii) three months after
    Participant's employment by the Company ceases if such cessation of
    employment is because of death, Retirement, or Total and Permanent
    Disability, or (iii) if applicable, the date of breach by a Participant of
    any employment or confidentiality agreement by and between the Company and
    Participant, except as, 


                                          3

<PAGE>

    and to the extent, provided in the Agreement applicable to that Award.  An
    Award may be exercised by, or paid to, the Successor of a Participant
    following the death of such Participant to the extent, and during the
    period of time, if any, provided in the applicable Agreement.

    7.   RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS.  An Award of Restricted Stock under the Plan
shall consist of Shares subject to restrictions on transfer and conditions of
forfeiture, which restrictions and conditions shall be included in the
applicable Agreement.  Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Agreement,
each Stock certificate issued in respect to an Award of Restricted Stock shall
either be deposited with the Company or its designee, together with an
assignment separate from such certificate, in blank, signed by the Participant,
or bear such legends with respect to the restricted nature of the Restricted
Stock evidenced thereby as shall be provided for in the applicable Agreement. 
The Agreement shall describe the terms and conditions by which the restrictions
upon awarded Restricted Stock shall lapse.  Upon the lapse of the restrictions,
stock certificates free of restrictive legends, if any, relating to such
restrictions shall be issued to the Participant or his Successor.  The Agreement
shall also set forth any required payment for such Restricted Stock, if such
payment is required by the Committee, and any provisions regarding repurchase of
such Restricted Stock in the event of forfeiture.  A Participant with a
Restricted Stock Award shall have all the other rights of a shareholder
including, but not limited to, the right to receive dividends and the right to
vote the Shares of Restricted Stock.  Unless the issuance of shares pursuant to
a Restricted Stock Award is registered or exempt under federal or state
securities laws, the Participant shall be required to give an investment
representation at the time of the Award, and transfer of the shares shall be
appropriately restricted.

    8.    STOCK AWARDS.  Awards of Stock without restrictions may be made
by the Committee to a Participant in furtherance of the Plan's purposes.  A
Participant receiving a Stock Award shall be entitled to all of the rights and
privileges in the Common Stock awarded as of the date on which the Award is
made.  Unless the issuance of shares pursuant to a Stock Award is registered or
exempt under federal or state securities laws, the Participant shall be required
to give an investment representation at the time of the Award, and transfer of
the shares shall be appropriately restricted.

    9.    STOCK OPTIONS.

          9.1 TERMS OF ALL OPTIONS.  An Option shall be granted pursuant
    to an Agreement as either an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-Statutory
    Stock Option.  Only Non-Statutory Stock Options may be granted to
    Participants who are not employees of the Company or an Affiliate.  The
    purchase price of each Share subject to an Option shall be determined by
    the Committee and set forth in the Agreement, but shall not be less than
    85% of the Fair Market Value of a Share as of the date the Option is
    granted.  The purchase price of the Shares with respect to which an Option
    is exercised shall be payable in full at the time of exercise, provided
    that to the extent permitted by law, the Agreement may permit Participants
    to simultaneously exercise Options and sell the 


                                          4

<PAGE>

    Shares thereby acquired pursuant to a brokerage or similar relationship and
    use the proceeds from such sale as payment of the purchase price of such
    Shares or to engage in a Net Exercise.  The purchase price may be payable
    in cash, in Stock having a Fair Market Value as of the date the Option is
    exercised equal to the purchase price of the Stock being purchased pursuant
    to the Option, or a combination thereof, as determined by the Committee and
    provided in the Agreement; provided, however, that a person exercising an
    Option shall not be permitted to pay any portion of the purchase price with
    Stock or through a Net Exercise if, in the opinion of the Committee,
    payment in such manner could have adverse financial accounting consequences
    for the Company.  Each Option shall be exercisable in whole or in part on
    the terms provided in the Agreement.  In no event shall any Option be
    exercisable at any time after its expiration date.  When an Option is no
    longer exercisable, it shall be deemed to have lapsed or terminated. 
    Unless the issuance of the shares upon the exercise of an Option hereunder
    is subject to a registration or exemption under applicable federal and
    state securities laws, the Participant shall be required to give an
    investment representation at the time of exercise and transfer of the
    shares shall be appropriately restricted.

         9.2  INCENTIVE STOCK OPTIONS.  In addition to the other terms and
    conditions applicable to all Options:

              (i)       the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the
         date the Option is granted) of the Shares with respect to which
         Incentive Stock Options held by an individual first become exercisable
         in any calendar year (under this Plan and all other incentive stock
         option plans of the Company and its Affiliates) shall not exceed
         $100,000 (or such other limit as may be required by the Code) if such
         limitation is necessary to qualify the Option as an Incentive Stock
         Option;

              (ii)      the purchase price of Shares covered by Incentive Stock
         Options must not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the
         Shares on the date of grant;

              (iii)     an Incentive Stock Option shall not be exercisable more
         than 10 years after the date of grant (or such other limit as may be
         required by the Code) if such limitation is necessary to qualify the
         Option as an Incentive Stock Option;

              (iv)      unless otherwise specified by the Committee in the
         Agreement, and except as otherwise provided in Section 6.4 or
         Section 16, a Participant may exercise an Incentive Stock Option at
         any time up to 10 years from the date of grant of the Option, in whole
         or in part subject to any vesting schedule determined by the
         Committee;


                                          5

<PAGE>

              (v)       if the Participant owns, or is deemed under Section
         424(d) of the Code to own, stock of the Company or of any Affiliate
         possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting
         power of all classes of stock therein at the time the Incentive Stock
         Option is granted:

                        (a)  the purchase price of the Shares covered by the
              Incentive Stock Option must not be less than 110% of the Fair
              Market Value of Shares on the date of grant; and

                        (b)  the Term of the Incentive Stock Option must not be
              greater than five years from the date of grant; and

              (vi) the Agreement covering an Incentive Stock Option shall
         contain such other terms and provisions which the Committee determines
         necessary to qualify such Option as an Incentive Stock Option.

         9.3  OUTSIDE DIRECTOR OPTIONS.

              (i)       During the term of this Plan, each person who is
         elected to the Board of Directors and who is an Outside Director when
         elected shall immediately be granted, by virtue of their election to
         the Board of Directors, a Non-Statutory Stock Option.  The date of
         such election shall be the date of grant for options granted pursuant
         to this subsection 9.3(i). The number of shares covered by each such
         option shall be 10,000* (subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 15
         hereof).

              (ii)      Beginning with the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be
         held during calendar year 1998 and for every Annual Meeting of
         Shareholders thereafter during the term of this Plan, each person
         serving as an Outside Director immediately following such Annual
         Meeting shall be granted, by virtue of serving as an Outside Director,
         a Non-Statutory Stock Option.  The date of such Annual Meeting shall
         be the date of grant for options granted pursuant to this
         subsection 9.3(ii).  The number of Shares covered by each such option
         shall be 6,667* (subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 15 hereof). 
         Director Options granted pursuant to this subsection 9.3(ii) shall be
         in addition to those granted pursuant to subsection 9.3(i). 
         Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Outside Director shall receive a
         grant of options pursuant to this subsection 9.3(ii) prior to
         completing a minimum of six months of service as an Outside Director.

              (iii)     Director Options granted pursuant to subsection 9.3(i)
         shall vest and become exercisable one year following the date of
         grant.  Director Options 

__________________
*  Reflects a 2 for 3 reverse split of the Company's Common Stock on May 21, 
   1997.


                                          6

<PAGE>

         granted pursuant to subsection 9.3(ii) shall vest and become
         exercisable on the date of the Annual Meeting next following the grant
         of Director Options.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, Director Options
         shall vest and become immediately exercisable in full upon the
         occurrence of any Event or upon the death of an Outside Director. 
         Director Options shall expire at the 10-year anniversary of the date
         of grant.

              (iv)      The purchase price of each Share subject to a Director
         Option pursuant to this Section 9.3 shall be 100% of the Fair Market
         Value of a Share as of the date of grant.  Notwithstanding anything to
         the contrary stated in this Plan, for purposes of this Section 9.3 and
         the definition of Fair Market Value in Exhibit A attached hereto, each
         Director Option shall be deemed conclusively to have been granted
         prior to close of the applicable securities exchange or system on the
         date of grant.  An Outside Director may exercise a Director Option
         using as payment any form of consideration provided for in Section
         9.1.

              (v)       Director Options shall be evidenced by an agreement
         signed on behalf of the Company by an officer thereof which only
         incorporates by reference the terms of this Plan.

              (vi)      Unless the Director Option shall have expired, in the
         event of an Outside Director's death, the Director Option granted to
         such Outside Director shall be transferable to the beneficiary, if
         any, designated by the Outside Director in writing to the Company
         prior to the Outside Director's death and such beneficiary shall
         succeed to the rights of the Outside Director to the extent permitted
         by law.  If no such designation of a beneficiary has been made, the
         Outside Director's legal representative shall succeed to the Director
         Option, which shall be transferable by will or pursuant to the laws of
         descent and distribution.

    10.  SUBSTITUTION OPTIONS.  Options may be granted under this Plan
from time to time in substitution for stock options held by employees of other
corporations who are about to become Employees of the Company or a subsidiary of
the Company, or whose employer is about to become a subsidiary of the Company,
as the result of a merger or consolidation of the Company or a subsidiary of the
Company with another corporation, the acquisition by the Company or a subsidiary
of the Company of all or substantially all the assets of another corporation or
the acquisition by the Company or a subsidiary of the Company of at least 50% of
the issued and outstanding stock of another corporation.  The terms and
conditions of the substitute Options so granted may vary from the terms and
conditions set forth in this Plan to such extent as the Board (or the Committee)
at the time of the grant may deem appropriate to conform, in whole or in part,
to the provisions of the stock options in substitution for which they are
granted, but with respect to stock options which are Incentive Stock Options, no
such variation shall be permitted which affects the status of any such
substitute Option as an "incentive stock option" under Section 422 of the Code.


                                          7

<PAGE>

    11.  EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE PLAN.

         11.1      EFFECTIVE DATE.  The Plan shall become effective as of
    December 15, 1995, provided that the Plan is approved and ratified by the
    affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares of
    Stock present or represented and entitled to vote in person or by proxy at
    a meeting of the shareholders of the Company no later than June 30, 1996.

         11.2      DURATION OF THE PLAN.  The Plan shall remain in effect until
    all Stock subject to it shall be distributed or until all Awards have
    expired or lapsed, or the Plan is terminated pursuant to Section 14.  No
    Award of an Incentive Stock Option shall be made more than 10 years after
    the Effective Date (or such other limit as may be required by the Code) if
    such limitation is necessary to qualify the Option as an Incentive Stock
    Option.  The date and time of approval by the Committee of the granting of
    an Award shall be considered the date and time at which such Award is made
    or granted.

    12.  RIGHT TO TERMINATE EMPLOYMENT.  Nothing in the Plan shall confer
upon any Participant the right to continue in the employment of the Company or
any Affiliate or affect any right which the Company or any Affiliate may have to
terminate the employment of the Participant with or without cause.

    13.  TAX WITHHOLDING.  The Company shall have the right to withhold
from any cash payment under the Plan to a Participant or other person an amount
sufficient to cover any required withholding taxes.  The Company shall have the
right to require a Participant or other person receiving Stock under the Plan to
pay the Company a cash amount sufficient to cover any required withholding
taxes.  In lieu of all or any part of such a cash payment from a person
receiving Stock under the Plan, the Committee may permit the individual to elect
to cover all or any part of the required withholdings, and to cover any
additional withholdings up to the amount needed to cover the individual's full
FICA and Medicare, and federal, state and local income tax with respect to
income arising from payment of the Award, through a reduction of the number of
Shares delivered to him or a subsequent return to the Company of Shares held by
the Participant or other person, in each case valued in the same manner as used
in computing the withholding taxes under the applicable laws.

    14.  AMENDMENT, MODIFICATION AND TERMINATION OF THE PLAN.  The Board
may at any time terminate, suspend or modify the Plan.  Amendments are subject
to approval of the shareholders of the Company only if such approval is
necessary to maintain the Plan in compliance with the requirements of Exchange
Act Rule 16b-3, Code Section 422, their successor provisions or any other
applicable law or regulation.  No termination, suspension, or modification of
the Plan may materially and adversely affect any right acquired by any
Participant (or his legal representative) or any Successor under an Award
granted before the date of termination, suspension, or modification, unless
otherwise agreed to by the Participant in the Agreement or otherwise or required
as a matter of law; but it will be conclusively 


                                          8

<PAGE>

presumed that any adjustment for changes in capitalization provided for in
Section 15 does not adversely affect any right.

    15.  ADJUSTMENT FOR CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION.  Appropriate
adjustments in the aggregate number and type of Shares available for Awards
under the Plan, in the number and type of Shares subject to Options thereafter
issued and in the number and type of Shares subject to Awards then outstanding,
and in the Option price as to any outstanding Options, may be made by the
Committee in its sole discretion to give effect to adjustments made in the
number or type of Shares of the Company through a Fundamental Change (subject to
Section 16), recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split,
stock combination or other relevant change, provided that fractional Shares
shall be rounded to the nearest whole share.

    16.  FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE.  In the event of a proposed Fundamental
Change, the Committee may, but shall not be obligated to:

         a.   if the Fundamental Change is a merger or consolidation or
    statutory share exchange, make appropriate provision for the protection of
    the outstanding Options by the substitution of options and appropriate
    voting common stock of the corporation surviving any merger or
    consolidation or, if appropriate, the parent corporation of the Company or
    such surviving corporation to be issuable upon the exercise of Options, in
    lieu of options and capital stock of the Company; or

         b.   at least 30 days prior to the occurrence of the Fundamental
    Change, declare, and provide written notice to each holder of an Option of
    the declaration, that each outstanding Option, whether or not then
    exercisable, shall be canceled at the time of, or immediately prior to the
    occurrence of the Fundamental Change in exchange for payment to each holder
    of an Option, within ten days after the Fundamental Change, of cash equal
    to, for each Share covered by the canceled Option, the amount, if any, by
    which the Fair Market Value (as hereinafter defined in this Section) per
    Share exceeds the exercise price per Share covered by such Option.  At the
    time of the declaration provided for in the immediately preceding sentence,
    each Option shall immediately become exercisable in full and each person
    holding an Option shall have the right, during the period preceding the
    time of cancellation of the Option, to exercise his Option as to all or any
    part of the Shares covered thereby in whole or in part, as the case may be. 
    In the event of a declaration pursuant to this Section 16(b), each
    outstanding Option granted pursuant to the Plan that shall not have been
    exercised prior to the Fundamental Change shall be canceled at the time of,
    or immediately prior to, the Fundamental Change, as provided in the
    declaration.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, no person holding an Option
    shall be entitled to the payment provided for in this Section 16(b) if such
    Option shall have expired pursuant to the Agreement.  For purposes of this
    Section only, "Fair Market Value" per Share shall mean the cash plus the
    fair market value, as determined in good faith by the Committee, of the
    non-cash consideration to be received per Share by the shareholders of the
    Company upon the 


                                          9

<PAGE>

    occurrence of the Fundamental Change, notwithstanding anything to the
    contrary provided in the Plan.

    17.  UNFUNDED PLAN.  The Plan shall be unfunded and the Company shall not 
be required to segregate any assets that may at any time be represented by 
Awards under the Plan.

    18.  OTHER BENEFIT AND COMPENSATION PROGRAMS.  Payments and other 
benefits received by a Participant under an Award made pursuant to the Plan 
shall not be deemed a part of a Participant's regular, recurring compensation 
for purposes of the termination, indemnity or severance pay law of any 
country and shall not be included in, nor have any effect on, the 
determination of benefits under any other employee benefit plan, contract or 
similar arrangement provided by the Company or an Affiliate unless expressly 
so provided by such other plan, contract or arrangement, or unless the 
Committee expressly determines that an Award or portion of an Award should be 
included to accurately reflect competitive compensation practices or to 
recognize that an Award has been made in lieu of a portion of competitive 
cash compensation.

    19.  BENEFICIARY UPON PARTICIPANT'S DEATH.  To the extent that the 
transfer of a Participant's Award at his death is permitted under an 
Agreement, (i) a Participant's Award shall be transferable at his death to 
the beneficiary, if any, designated on forms prescribed by and filed with the 
Committee and (ii) upon the death of the Participant, such beneficiary shall 
succeed to the rights of the Participant to the extent permitted by law.  If 
no such designation of a beneficiary has been made, the Participant's legal 
representative shall succeed to the Awards which shall be transferable by 
will or pursuant to laws of descent and distribution to the extent permitted 
under an Agreement.

    20.  GOVERNING LAW.  To the extent that Federal laws do not otherwise 
control, the Plan and all determinations made and actions taken pursuant to 
the Plan shall be governed by the laws of Minnesota and construed accordingly.

                                          10

<PAGE>

                                                                     EXHIBIT A

                EXCELSIOR-HENDERSON MOTORCYCLE  MANUFACTURING COMPANY
                         AMENDED AND RESTATED 1995 STOCK PLAN

                       DEFINED TERMS AND RULES OF CONSTRUCTION


1.  DEFINITIONS.

    Set forth below are the meanings of certain terms used in this Plan. 

         a.   "AFFILIATE" means any corporation that is a "parent corporation"
    or "subsidiary corporation" of the Company, as those terms are defined in
    Section 424(e) and (f) of the Code, or any successor provision.

         b.   "AGREEMENT" means a written contract entered into between the
    Company or an Affiliate and a Participant containing the terms and
    conditions of an Award in such form and not inconsistent with this Plan as
    the Committee shall approve from time to time, together with all amendments
    thereto, which amendments may be unilaterally made by the Company (with the
    approval of the Committee) unless such amendments are deemed by the
    Committee to be materially adverse to the Participant and are not required
    as a matter of law.

         c.   "AWARD" means a grant made under this Plan in the form of
    Restricted Stock, Options or Stock.

         d.   "BOARD" means the Board of Directors of the Company.

         e.   "CODE" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from
    time to time.

         f.   "COMMITTEE" means such committee appointed by the Board from time
    to time to administer the Plan or, if no such committee is appointed, the
    Board itself; provided, however that the Board shall appoint a committee of
    three or more Non-Employee Directors to determine and administer Awards to
    any Participants who are then subject to the reporting requirements of
    Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

         g.   "COMPANY" means Excelsior-Henderson Motorcycle Manufacturing
    Company, a Minnesota corporation, or any successor to substantially all of
    its businesses.

         h.   "DIRECTOR" means a director of the Company.

         i.   "DIRECTOR OPTION" means a Non-Statutory Stock Option granted to
    an Outside Director under Section 9.3 hereof.


<PAGE>

         j.   "EFFECTIVE DATE" means the effective date of the Plan specified
    in Section 11.1 hereof.

         k.   "EVENT" means any of the following; provided, however, that no
    Event shall be deemed to have occurred unless and until a majority of the
    directors constituting the Incumbent Board (as defined below) shall have
    declared that an Event has occurred and further provided that an Event
    shall not be deemed to occur prior to the date that the Stock becomes
    registered under the Exchange Act:

              (1)  The acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within
         the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) of
         beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Exchange Act Rule 13d-3)
         of 20% (except for acquisitions by any individual, entity or group
         that, prior to the effectiveness of this Plan, owns 20% or more of any
         class of capital stock of the Company) or more of either (i) the then
         outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (the "Outstanding
         Company Common Stock") or (ii) the combined voting power of the then
         outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote
         generally in the election of the Board (the "Outstanding Company
         Voting Securities"); provided, however, that the following
         acquisitions shall not constitute an Event:

                   (A)  any acquisition of voting securities of the Company
              directly from the Company,

                   (B)  any acquisition of voting securities of the Company by
              the Company or any of its wholly owned Subsidiaries,

                   (C)  any acquisition of voting securities of the Company by
              any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or
              maintained by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or

                   (D)  any acquisition by any corporation with respect to
              which, immediately following such acquisition, more than 60% of
              respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock of such
              corporation and the combined voting power of the then outstanding
              voting securities of such corporation entitled to vote generally
              in the election of directors is then beneficially owned, directly
              or indirectly, by all or substantially all of the individuals and
              entities who were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the
              Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting
              Securities immediately prior to such acquisition in substantially
              the same proportions as was their ownership, immediately prior to
              such acquisition, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and
              Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may be;


                                         A-2

<PAGE>

              (2)  Individuals who, as of the Effective Date, constitute the
         Board (the "Incumbent Board") cease for any reason to constitute at
         least a majority of the Board; provided, however, that any individual
         becoming a director of the Board subsequent to the Effective Date
         whose election, or nomination for election by the Company's
         shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the
         directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered a
         member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any
         such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result
         of an actual or threatened election contest which was (or, if
         threatened, would have been) subject to Exchange Act Rule 14a-11;

              (3)  Approval by the shareholders of the Company of a
         reorganization, merger, consolidation or statutory exchange of
         Outstanding Company Voting Securities, unless immediately following
         such reorganization, merger, consolidation or exchange, all or
         substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the
         beneficial owners, respectively, of the Outstanding Company Common
         Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to
         such reorganization, merger, consolidation or exchange beneficially
         own, directly or indirectly, more than 60% of, respectively, the then
         outstanding shares of common stock and the combined voting power of
         the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in
         the election of directors, as the case may be, of the corporation
         resulting from such reorganization, merger, consolidation or exchange
         in substantially the same proportions as was their ownership,
         immediately prior to such reorganization, merger, consolidation or
         exchange, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding
         Company Voting Securities, as the case may be; or

              (4)  Approval by the shareholders of the Company of (i) a
         complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or (ii) the sale or
         other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the
         Company, other than to a corporation with respect to which,
         immediately following such sale or other disposition, more than 60%
         of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock of such
         corporation and the combined voting power of the then outstanding
         voting securities of such corporation entitled to vote generally in
         the election of directors is then beneficially owned, directly or
         indirectly, by all or substantially all of the individuals and
         entities who were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the
         Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting
         Securities immediately prior to such sale or other disposition in
         substantially the same proportion as was their ownership, immediately
         prior to such sale or other disposition, of the Outstanding Company
         Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case
         may be.

    Notwithstanding the above, an Event shall not be deemed to occur with
    respect to a recipient of an Award if the acquisition of the 20% or greater
    interest referred to in 


                                         A-3

<PAGE>

    paragraph (1) is by a group, acting in concert, that includes that
    recipient or if at least 40% of the then outstanding common stock or
    combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities (or voting
    equity interests) of the surviving corporation or of any corporation (or
    other entity) acquiring all or substantially all of the assets of the
    Company shall be beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, immediately
    after a reorganization, merger, consolidation, statutory share exchange or
    sale or other disposition of assets referred to in paragraphs (3) or (4) by
    a group, acting in concert, that includes that recipient.

         l.   "EXCHANGE ACT" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
    amended from time to time.

         m.   "FAIR MARKET VALUE" as of any date means, unless otherwise
    expressly provided in the Plan:

              (i)  the closing price of a Share on the date immediately
         preceding that date or, if no sale of Shares shall have occurred on
         that date, on the next preceding day on which a sale of Shares
         occurred,

                   (A)  on the composite tape for New York Stock Exchange
              listed shares, or

                   (B)  if the Shares are not quoted on the composite tape for
              New York Stock Exchange listed shares, on the principal United
              States Securities Exchange registered under the Exchange Act on
              which the Shares are listed, or

                   (C)  if the Shares are not listed on any such exchange, on
              the Nasdaq National Market, or

              (ii)  if clause (i) is inapplicable, the mean between the closing
         "bid" and the closing "asked" quotation of a Share on the date
         immediately preceding that date, or, if no closing bid or asked
         quotation is made on that date, on the next preceding day on which a
         quotation is made, on any system maintained by the National
         Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or any system then in use, or

              (iii)  if clauses (i) and (ii) are inapplicable, what the
         Committee determines in good faith to be 100% of the fair market value
         of a Share on that date.

    However, if the applicable securities exchange or system has closed for the
    day at the time the event occurs that triggers a determination of Fair
    Market Value, whether the grant of an Award, the exercise of an Option or
    otherwise, all references in this paragraph to the "date immediately
    preceding that date" shall be deemed to be references to "that date".  In
    the case of an Incentive Stock Option, if such 


                                         A-4

<PAGE>

    determination of Fair Market Value is not consistent with the then current
    regulations of the Secretary of the Treasury, Fair Market Value shall be
    determined in accordance with said regulations.  The determination of Fair
    Market Value shall be subject to adjustment as provided in Section 15.

         n.   "FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE" shall mean a dissolution or liquidation of
    the Company, a sale of substantially all of the assets of the Company, a
    merger or consolidation of the Company with or into any other corporation,
    regardless of whether the Company is the surviving corporation, or a
    statutory share exchange involving capital stock of the Company.

         o.   "INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION" means any Option designated as such and
    granted in accordance with the requirements of Code Section 422 or any
    successor to said section.

         p.   "NET EXERCISE" means the right of a Participant (the "Conversion
    Right") to convert an Option or any portion thereof into Shares as provided
    in this paragraph at any time or from time to time prior to its expiration,
    subject to the restrictions set forth in this Plan.  Upon exercise of the
    Conversion Right with respect to a particular number of Shares subject to
    an Option (the "Converted Option Shares"), the Company shall deliver to the
    holder of the Option, without payment by the holder of any exercise price
    or any cash or other consideration, that number of Shares equal to the
    quotient obtained by dividing the Net Value (as hereinafter defined) of the
    Converted Option Shares by the Fair Market Value of a single Share,
    determined in each case as of the close of business on the Conversion Date
    (as hereinafter defined).  The "Net Value" of the Converted Option Shares
    shall be determined by subtracting the aggregate purchase price of the
    Converted Option Shares from the aggregate Fair Market Value of the
    Converted Option Shares.  Notwithstanding anything in this paragraph to the
    contrary, the Conversion Right cannot be exercised with respect to a number
    of Converted Option Shares having a Net Value below $100.  No fractional
    shares shall be issuable upon exercise of the Conversion Right, and if the
    number of shares to be issued in accordance with the foregoing formula is
    other than a whole number, the Company shall pay to the holder of the
    Option an amount in cash equal to the Fair Market Value of the resulting
    fractional share.

         q.   "NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR" means a member of the Board who is
    considered a non-employee director within the meaning of Exchange Act Rule
    16b-3(i) or any successor definition.

         r.   "NON-STATUTORY STOCK OPTION" means an Option other than an
    Incentive Stock Option.

         s.   "OPTION" means a right to purchase Stock, including both
    Non-Statutory Stock Options and Incentive Stock Options.


                                         A-5

<PAGE>

         t.   "OUTSIDE DIRECTOR" means a Director who is not an employee of the
    Company or any affiliate.

         u.   "PARTICIPANT" means any salaried employee, and any officer,
    director (including any director who is not an employee of the Company),
    contractor or advisor to or representative of the Company or any Affiliate
    thereof, whether or not such person is an employee of the Company within
    the meaning of the Code; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that salaried employees of the
    Company or its Affiliates within the meaning of the Code (including any
    such employee who is also an officer or director of the Company or any
    Affiliate thereof) shall be the only persons eligible to receive Options
    intended to constitute Incentive Stock Options.

         v.   "PLAN" means this Excelsior-Henderson Motorcycle Manufacturing
    Company Amended and Restated 1995 Stock Plan, as amended from time to time.

         w.   "RESTRICTED STOCK" means Stock granted under Section 7 so long as
    such Stock remains subject to such restrictions.

         x.   "RETIREMENT" as applied to a Participant, means (i) until such
    time as the Company adopts an employee pension benefit plan (as that term
    is defined in Section 3(2) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act
    of 1974), termination of employment with the Company at any time upon or
    after attaining age 65; or (ii) after adoption by the Company of an
    employee pension benefit plan, termination of employment with the Company
    at a time when the Participant is eligible for normal retirement under such
    a plan, as amended from time to time, or any successor plan thereto.

         y.   "SHARE" means a share of Stock.

         z.   "STOCK" means the Common Stock, $.01 par value per share (as such
    par value may be adjusted from time to time), of the Company.

         aa.  "SUBSIDIARY" means a "subsidiary corporation", as that term is
    defined in Code Section 424(f) or any successor provision.

         bb.  "SUCCESSOR" means the legal representative of the estate of a
    deceased Participant or the person or persons who may, by bequest or
    inheritance, or pursuant to the terms of an Award or of forms submitted by
    the Participant to the Committee pursuant to Section 19, acquire the right
    to exercise an Option or Stock Appreciation Right or to receive cash or
    Shares issuable in satisfaction of an Award in the event of a Participant's
    death.

         cc.  "TERM" means the period during which an Option may be exercised
    or the period during which the restrictions placed on Restricted Stock are
    in effect.


                                         A-6

<PAGE>

         dd.  "TOTAL AND PERMANENT DISABILITY" as applied to a Participant,
    means total and permanent disability within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3)
    of the Code or any successor provision.

2.  GENDER AND NUMBER.

         Except when otherwise indicated by context, reference to the masculine
    gender shall include, when used, the feminine gender and any term used in
    the singular shall also include the plural.


                                         A-7


<PAGE>

                                                                     EXHIBIT 5


                                   October 22, 1997


Board of Directors
Excelsior-Henderson Motorcycle Manufacturing Company
2675 Long Lake Road
Roseville, Minnesota 55113


         In connection with the proposed registration under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended, of shares of Common Stock of Excelsior-Henderson Motorcycle
Manufacturing Company, a Minnesota corporation (the "Company"), offered and to
be offered pursuant to the Excelsior-Henderson Motorcycle Manufacturing Company
Amended and Restated 1995 Stock Plan (the "Plan"), we have examined the
Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation, its Amended and Restated
By-Laws, and such other documents, including the Registration Statement on Form
S-8, dated the date hereof, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission relating to such shares (the "Registration Statement"), and have
reviewed such matters of law as we have deemed necessary for this opinion. 
Accordingly, based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:

         1.   The Company is duly and validly organized and existing and in
good standing under the laws of the State of Minnesota.

         2.   The Company has duly authorized the issuance of the shares of
Common Stock which may be issued pursuant to the Plan.

         3.   The shares which may be issued pursuant to the Plan will be, upon
issuance, validly issued and outstanding and fully paid and nonassessable.

         4.   All necessary corporate action has been taken by the Company to
adopt the Plan, and the Plan is a validly existing plan of the Company.

         We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement.

                                       Very truly yours,

                                       /s/ Faegre & Benson LLP

                                       FAEGRE & BENSON LLP


<PAGE>

                                                                EXHIBIT 23.2

                      CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation by 
reference in this registration statement of our report dated January 17, 
1997, (except with respect to Notes 4 and 6, as to which the date is May 22, 
1997) included in Excelsior-Henderson Motorcycle Manufacturing Company's Form 
S-1 Registration Statement No. 333-27789 and to all references to our Firm 
included in this registration statement.

                                            ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP


Minneapolis, Minnesota
October 22, 1997



<PAGE>

                                                                EXHIBIT 24

                 EXCELSIOR-HENDERSON MOTORCYCLE MANUFACTURING COMPANY

                                  Power of Attorney
                              of Director and/or Officer
                                           

         The undersigned director and/or officer of Excelsior-Henderson
Motorcycle Manufacturing Company, a Minnesota corporation, does hereby make,
constitute and appoint Daniel L. Hanlon and David P. Hanlon, and any one of
them, the undersigned's true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with power of
substitution, for the undersigned and in the undersigned's name, place and
stead, to sign and affix the undersigned's name as such director and/or officer
of said Corporation to a Registration Statement or Registration Statements, on
Form S-8 or other applicable form, and all amendments, including post-effective
amendments, thereto, to be filed by said Corporation with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C., in connection with the registration under
the Securities Act of 1933, of shares of Common Stock of said Corporation
authorized for issuance under said Corporation's Amended and Restated 1995 Stock
Plan, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other supporting
documents, with said Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact, and
either of them, full power and authority to do and perform any and all acts
necessary or incidental to the performance and execution of the powers herein
expressly granted.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto set the undersigned's
hand this 17th day of October, 1997.



                                            /s/ Wayne M. Fortun
                                            -------------------------
                                            Wayne M. Fortun






<PAGE>

                 EXCELSIOR-HENDERSON MOTORCYCLE MANUFACTURING COMPANY

                                  Power of Attorney
                              of Director and/or Officer


         The undersigned director and/or officer of Excelsior-Henderson
Motorcycle Manufacturing Company, a Minnesota corporation, does hereby make,
constitute and appoint Daniel L. Hanlon and David P. Hanlon, and any one of
them, the undersigned's true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with power of
substitution, for the undersigned and in the undersigned's name, place and
stead, to sign and affix the undersigned's name as such director and/or officer
of said Corporation to a Registration Statement or Registration Statements, on
Form S-8 or other applicable form, and all amendments, including post-effective
amendments, thereto, to be filed by said Corporation with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C., in connection with the registration under
the Securities Act of 1933, of shares of Common Stock of said Corporation
authorized for issuance under said Corporation's Amended and Restated 1995 Stock
Plan, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other supporting
documents, with said Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact, and
either of them, full power and authority to do and perform any and all acts
necessary or incidental to the performance and execution of the powers herein
expressly granted.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto set the undersigned's
hand this 17th day of October, 1997.



                                            /s/ David R. Pomije
                                            -------------------------
                                            David R. Pomije






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