General Category => Introductions => Topic started by: tprice on May 08, 2016, 03:20:02 PM

Title: New Old Guy
Post by: tprice on May 08, 2016, 03:20:02 PM
 As all will find out in time, I am computer challenged. I have recently bought a pretty nice rolling chassis Simplex. I have contacted a couple of guys on here via email and they were very helpful. I tried logging on for several days with no luck. Anyway, I am old pipeline welder and now a construction manager for a major pipeline company. I am wanting to put a Horizontal head motor on the bike[for the look] and looking at options. I will read through all the post first and try not to ask any questions already covered. Remember me and computer are not best friends. I am currently trying to figure out what year my back is. I do not know how to post pictures but I do know how to send over the phone. I live in south Texas and currently working on project in east Texas. I also am building a 66 TT triumph bobber and a 59 buick 2 dr hrdtop. Hopefully I may be able to answer a few questions along the way. Thanks Guys looking forward to learning about my simplex. TP
Title: Re: New Old Guy
Post by: Ricks on May 08, 2016, 04:25:40 PM
Welcome TP!  Posting pictures here is easy. Just click the Additional Options button below the box you type your message in.  It is pretty self explanatory.
Title: Re: New Old Guy
Post by: kartjockey on May 08, 2016, 04:48:04 PM
Welcome to the site!  Lots of literature posted here also.  But if you don't find your answers just ask....we don't mind!
Title: Re: New Old Guy
Post by: OnaWingandaPrayer on May 08, 2016, 05:29:19 PM
Hello and Welcome to the forum family . Enjoy!
Title: Re: New Old Guy
Post by: ndian22 on May 08, 2016, 07:47:03 PM
Welcome & congrats on finding a Simplex to build on. Lots of experience here to assist with your new project.  Rick C.
Title: Re: New Old Guy
Post by: pd on May 08, 2016, 09:03:49 PM
Welcome TP .

If you don't know how old your back is , look on your drivers license . Date of birth is usually on there , somewhere . LOL

As for finding what year your bike is , there might be a number stamped on the underside of the steering support >

(http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa28/pdcomm/Simplex/d2259b66-aaac-4d9c-b103-4fd7ce8659f1_zpsxo0z8qhy.jpg)

Post that number and we'll help you figure it out or at least get close if we can see a pic or two .

Pete . :)
Title: Re: New Old Guy
Post by: Sonrisers on May 08, 2016, 09:32:26 PM
Glad to see you finally made it om the site. These guys can be a lot of help. once you figure out how to post pics, I also want to see a pic of the Triumph bobber. When I was a kid the first bike I bought was a 650 Bonneville chopper, it looked cool when I was done building it, but never got to ride it because I couldn't get running.....I was really mechanically challenged back then. Then later on I bought a 78 750 Bonneville, it was stock, and I run the wheels off of it. Good luck on your project, post pics of your progress along the way.
Title: Re: New Old Guy
Post by: kartjockey on May 09, 2016, 04:23:12 AM
As you learn how to navigate yourself around the forum posting pictures will help to identify the year of your bike.  Simplex made many changes when and where they saw fit regardless of year ends or not.  Paul Treen was a "continual improvement" guy!  So coupling photos with a serial number will be a big help.  If you reach under the steering area and feel a plate there then likely there will be a serial number stamped on it.  If you find a number please post it and as we uncover the 'mysteries' of your ride you will be added to the registry with other greats that came before you!!  Thanks and hope you enjoy your  Simplex as much as we do.
Title: Re: New Old Guy
Post by: tprice on May 09, 2016, 02:14:29 PM
OK Ricks how do I get picture from phone to forum? That's where I have all my pictures. PD you made me go back and read. I looked on my drivers license and there is no picture. LOL. I'm terrible about proof reading. I'll try harder. There is no number under the neck. The seat spring is welded on and straight. Gas tank has screw on cap on right side, handle bars has curved mounting bracket with twist grip. Can I send a picture to someone from my phone to their phone? I know how to do that. Told you I was challenged! Also I read that round floor boards were important. Heck  it may be a bunch of parts put together, but they are nice parts for sure. kick stand is on the back also. Does any of this help?
Title: Re: New Old Guy
Post by: pd on May 09, 2016, 03:45:03 PM
TP ,

Can you send a pic to an email ? If so feel free to send it to me and I'll post it . Or , you could sign up for a free Photobucket.com account , upload it to there and then post the IMG tags here .

Maybe this will help identification  :

(http://www.simplexservi-cycle.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=293.0;attach=1610;image)

http://www.simplexservi-cycle.com/index.php?topic=293.msg1753#msg1753

Pete . :)
Title: Re: New Old Guy
Post by: Ricks on May 09, 2016, 03:49:20 PM
TP, private message sent with phone #.
Title: Re: New Old Guy
Post by: tprice on May 09, 2016, 05:52:08 PM
PD, My bike looks like the 45H type. It has no serial number either. The frame is straight with no doglegs in the frame. The front fender has a curved brace. It has skinny tires and a teardrop type taillight. Gas tank as screw on neck on right side. It may be a bunch of put together parts but I truly don't care. They are a cool looking little bike. I was going to send you pix to email but it is not listed. I have a picture of a small bobber type bike I hand built for my son in 95 I'd like to send to post also. I have owned a bunch of neat old bikes. Harleys[everybody has them] 38 famous James[sold recently], and building a 66 TT 650 triumph factory flat tracker. I also mess with old cars. I am currently building a 59 buick mild custom and just sold a 28 closed cab, chopped top, 425, 2x4 nailhead pickup. Pure hotrod
Title: Re: New Old Guy
Post by: Ricks on May 09, 2016, 07:07:26 PM
Here is the picture TP sent me.  I would say the bike is definitely made up of parts from various years.  It is screaming for an engine conversion and make it a rider.
Title: Re: New Old Guy
Post by: pd on May 09, 2016, 08:39:16 PM
Looks like a pretty good start , which ever way you take it .

I wonder if you could fit that 650 motor in there . ;)

You do have options .

Pete . :)
Title: Re: New Old Guy
Post by: tprice on May 10, 2016, 04:07:27 AM
Sellers love guys like me. I was told it was a 40's model. I didn't know and really didn't care. After reading hours of post from very knowledgable people I figured out I have a "mutt". Lol. I still like it. Thanks for help guys.
Title: Re: New Old Guy
Post by: Ricks on May 10, 2016, 04:55:20 AM
Sellers love guys like me. I was told it was a 40's model. I didn't know and really didn't care. After reading hours of post from very knowledgable people I figured out I have a "mutt". Lol. I still like it. Thanks for help guys.

If you send me more pictures, I will post them for you.
Title: Re: New Old Guy
Post by: kartjockey on May 10, 2016, 09:10:30 AM
That is a very nice start to a really clean looking ride.  All the steel looks great!
Title: Re: New Old Guy
Post by: ndian22 on May 10, 2016, 04:27:31 PM
So here's the deal I'm the old, Old guy & your the new, but it's all good. Your frame appears to be a good one to put your efforts and $$ into & I'll enjoy seeing your Simplex come back to life & I'm ready to help if necessary.

                                                                  Rick C.
Title: Re: New Old Guy
Post by: tprice on May 10, 2016, 05:27:14 PM
RickS, Cartjockey, and Ndian22, I actually had another simplex many years ago and used the gas tank for another build. I liked the looks of simplex but was trying to build a smaller bike for my then 6 year old son. It was a success what I did. I am working out of town and living out of motel and will get some pictures of the bike I completely fabricated when I return home this weekend.  You will  see the simplex influence in the bike. I will have to have someone post the pictures for me. I'll tell the whole story on the build when I get pictures. Ever since I cannibalized the simplex I wanted to build one. I think that I got a pretty nice bike to start with and really doesn't matter if it is a Mutt. I'm trying to figure out where to get a horizontal head, vertical shaft Honda motor. I haven't found one yet. I like the looks of the head standing up instead of the preditor angled head. Any help on where to find this is appreciated. I'm still going through post to get ideas.
Title: Re: New Old Guy
Post by: Ricks on May 10, 2016, 06:01:19 PM
Honda GC160, GC190 and GS190 are upright cylinder, horizontal shaft motors.  Look at my Simplex Stretch thread, as I am using a GS190 motor.
Title: Re: New Old Guy
Post by: ndian22 on May 10, 2016, 06:44:43 PM
The Predator motor or a dozen other brands can be used in the vertical or horizontal position. It will lubricate properly either way & hundreds of bikes use them in the vertical, though the factory mounts them horizontally...like a go cart or generator engine. They are Honda clones made in China and Taiwan, but Rick S. uses the newer real deal Honda power. Lots of info on how to build motor mounts, and make a few minor changes necessary to run them in the upright position...easy stuff really. Also clutch suggestions And how to fabricate jack shafts to transfer power through belts or chain. Many are using a CVT like the Comet to transfer power from engine to the rear wheel. Lots of examples in the threads of this forum & answers to your questions as well, which will save you time, money and headaches. It's fun to read these threads and learn, but nice to know you can ask questions and get answers. No one knows it all but some of these guys are getting close!

                                                                   Rick C.
Title: Re: New Old Guy
Post by: Sonrisers on May 11, 2016, 07:40:47 AM
Here is a couple of pics Terry sent me, sorry I haven't gotten them on here sooner.
Title: Re: New Old Guy
Post by: tprice on May 11, 2016, 05:50:51 PM
Sonriser ,thanks for posting the pictures. I get on forum every night and try to gain information. Ndian22 can you save me a little time and a lot of reading and point me to the threads that you mentioned on motors and clutches and motor mounts? I stopped at a Briggs and Stratton shop on the way end from work this evening and looked at what they offered in the upright flathead with a horizontal shaft. All they had were pictures in a book.
RickS where do I look for the GC 160, 190 and the GS motor? I believe I had rather have the Honda than the Briggs.
Title: Re: New Old Guy
Post by: ndian22 on May 11, 2016, 06:29:34 PM
 Click on General category this forum & select "Simplex with non original motors" & select first category which is "stretched..." Read the whole thing about the Rick S. build with a Honda engine. Building one off bikes with non original engines isn't rocket science, but you'll want to spend a lot of time studying the photos and reading the explanations of what's been successfully utilized in these builds... or one can do it the hard & expensive way. I read most of the last 5 years of posts on this forum before beginning my own non original build using a 5 speed Honda clone learning what& not to do. It was fun! I also learned to appreciate the ingenuity of what others have done with their Simplex builds. 

                                                                         Rick C.
Title: Re: New Old Guy
Post by: Ricks on May 15, 2016, 11:29:37 AM
TP asked me about a tapered vs straight shaft honda GC motor.  Here is the difference, and as you can see, will not be interchangeable.  Fits picture is straight, other 2 are tapered.
Title: Re: New Old Guy
Post by: tprice on May 17, 2016, 06:19:58 AM
Rick, I am lucky I guess. The GC160 I bought has a straight shaft so I am assuming it will work. I am also assuming the plate kit and torque converter Wayne sells will work. How about the kick starter? Thanks for posting the pictures , it clarified what I was asking.
Title: Re: New Old Guy
Post by: Ricks on May 17, 2016, 06:30:23 AM
Rick, I am lucky I guess. The GC160 I bought has a straight shaft so I am assuming it will work. I am also assuming the plate kit and torque converter Wayne sells will work. How about the kick starter? Thanks for posting the pictures , it clarified what I was asking.

Wayne's kit is not for the GC series of motors.  His kit is for the GX and clone motors.  The GC series motor is much taller and will not work with his mount.  The torque converter is the same, but you will be on your own for designing and building your own mounts for a jackshaft.

I bought the kickstart kit from Wayne, but I only used the kicker and pinion gear.  The rest I made for my application.  Read over my build of the Simplex Stretch and you will see all the work I had to do to use a GC series motor.  You can install a GC motor without stretching the frame, but the motor must be mounted very close to the stock simplex motor plate.

Here are a couple of pictures that have been posted before of another members build with a GC motor and pull start.
Title: Re: New Old Guy
Post by: oil-lamp on May 18, 2016, 07:45:34 AM
Found your post and pictures haven't been on here in awhile. Good looking bike great start. If you want to put the clutch up top you are going to need to drop the carb or streach the frame.
Title: Re: New Old Guy
Post by: Ricks on May 20, 2016, 01:16:52 PM
Here is some more pictures TP sent me.  I'll leave it for him to write comments below.
Title: Re: New Old Guy
Post by: tprice on May 22, 2016, 07:36:22 PM
To begin with i am as bad taking pictures as i am posting them. In 1996 i guess i decided to build my 6 year old a mlnl bike. It kind of got out of hand and this is what i built. I actually started the co.plete build around a simplex frame and tank that i had. Once i started building i realized the simplex was much too big so i hand built my frame from black pipe from home depot. I didnt like the single cylinder look of a briggs motor. A friend had a xr100 that i fabbed a fake cyclinder to the back of the cases. I built the front end,frame,rear fender,handlebars. The front wheel is from a mopad and rear was a 8"from i believe was asmall honda. I built all thr forward controls and exhaust system. I sold the bike at one time and it went to California then found it again in Austin texas. It will never be for sale agin. I gave to my son to have if he every has kids. 
Title: Re: New Old Guy
Post by: ndian22 on May 23, 2016, 03:17:03 AM
Well done, takes mini bikes to a new level. Rick C.
Title: Re: New Old Guy
Post by: tprice on June 05, 2016, 04:46:02 PM
Thanks