General Category => Restoration Projects => Topic started by: Pete57 on December 19, 2011, 02:02:14 PM
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I just bought a 1957 Simplex Automatic, running condition, here in Alaska. Looks to be original. I plan to restore it starting next winter and will be looking for parts. In the mean time I am waiting on spring to take it out for my first ride.
Pete
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That looks awesome! I can't imagine there being many Simplexes up in Alaska! Keep us posted as you progress. Is there snow on the ground, if not take it out for a short blast!
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that is awesome . Like Rick said fire it up and take it for a short ride even if its just across the garage.
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Way to much snow and ice on the ground to risk a ride outside. I have fired it up in the garage. Any ideas on where I can find out info on colors that were used in 57? Thanks,
Pete
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I don't have a color chart. I wonder if one is even is around anymore. Look around at some of the original bikes posted on the web, and you may get a better idea.
I have read that simplex would paint the bike any color you wanted on special order! Just opposite of Henry Ford, who said you could have any color you wanted, as long as it was black!
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Way to much snow and ice on the ground to risk a ride outside. I have fired it up in the garage. Any ideas on where I can find out info on colors that were used in 57? Thanks,
Pete
The 1953 Simplex I have was a Christmas present from my wife last year. That has to be one of the best presents ever! I hope to take it for a spin around the block this Christmas if there is no snow on the ground!
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Thats a grand looking bike you found In Alasaka. I doubt there was much of a riding season, so it should be in fairly decent shape. I would be willing to be that you are looking at the original colors on that particular bike. Lots of choices tho. So are you going to build a show bike or a rider?
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I did as you guys suggested, fired up the bike in the garage! Can’t wait to get on the road with it. Riding season here is usually late March to the end of October. Some trikes out year round. I am planning to start the restoration next winter. Will probably do a street show restoration since I plan to ride it at least once each year on my birthday.
I plan to take a lot of pictures and document as I go. Starting to organize my parts list next week. Does anyone have info on where the wires for the brake light were run? Mine are on the outside and it doesn’t look correct to me.
Thanks for all your support. This is going to be a fun project! Pete
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Pete,my bike is close to yours and mine has a hole in the right rear frame leg near the transmission there is a rubber gromet the wires enter through they then exit out the open end of frame tube by rear hub then they are held by two clips along inside of rear fender brace
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At the end of the frame, the tubes are filled with caps. One of the caps has a hole in it to pass the wires through. If you need a picture of this, let me know and I will snap a shot.
Rick
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I noticed that my bike also has this hole in the frame tube & I thought this might be the purpose, but it is very rough textured. I though maybe they had burned a hole in the tube by accident when they were welding it up, but I've not taken the time to look at it very closely. If I can find a grommet to fit, i'll also run my wires thru there as well.
Mike Sal
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Hey Mike
Here are some pictures that I just took of the hole and the gromet and the end caps you are talking about . Hope they help you out. My bike was missing the end cap with the hole in it. Bill Marcum
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Thanks Bill. The hole in my frame looks just like yours. I'll bet I can get a grommet like that at the hardware store.
Mike Sal
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While, cleaning the frame today I noticed my 3 plugs in the rear frame rails seemed to have never been chrome, but painted and the remaining one with the hole for the wires wasn't a cap at all, but rather a dry rotted cork with a hole for the wires could this be original, or has it been changed ?
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My plugs were not chromed either. I'll have to look at the one with a hole again to know, but I had assumed it was a metal washer.
Mike Sal
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My '48 used corks in the tube ends. Before you begin dissassembly for the restoration you might want to take many detailed pics to remind you later how the bike came to you. And even keep a log of how things came apart. Always helps me on resto jobs.
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My 49 also used the cork plugs. If I had not converted this to a 3 wheel truck, which doesn't need any plugs, I would not have used cork. It is my feeling that cork retains moisture inside the frame and promotes rust. I would use the metal plugs.
Rick
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Just an up date on my Simplex project. Was out in the garage and did the final disassembly of the bike. took the brakets and the taillights off of the fenders. Took the tires off of the rims. No more disassembly, it is all done. Now to get my sand blaster working. How about some ideal of what type abrasive to use on my fenders. I am new at sand blasting but I am going to give it a try. Here are a few pictures, I do not know if they will help anyone . I just took them for myself for when it is time to put it back together. Bill Marcum
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I blasted the frame outside with black beauty, which I find cuts better than sand. For everything else, I blasted them inside my cabinet with glass beads. The glass beads are a little slower, but leave a really nice finish.