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Topics - smallbore

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Simplexes with Non-Original Engines / V-Twin Simplex Sportsman
« on: January 11, 2013, 09:41:21 PM »
After considering how difficult it would be to find a Continental red seal engine, I scraped that idea and focused on the “cool” factor.... Wouldn’t  it be cool to have a ½ scale Harley or Indian looking bike ? So I bought 2 Honda XL75 engines for parts to build a V-Twin. The XR75 is perhaps a better engine with a 5 speed transmission, but it would never pass the Dept. of Motor Vehicles as the XR was an off road only model so I went with the 4 speed XL model which will pass inspection without any issues as it was a street bike from the factory.
I have already bought about 90% of the parts I need for this build, and will be using N.O.S. Honda controls, levers, throttle, and wiring harness to keep things simple and sanitary looking. The engine cases will get welded over where it says “Honda” and the Simplex logo will be engraved with a CNC mill.

At this stage the engine is just sitting loose in the cradle of the frame. Next step is to build a frame jig which I have already started, so everything will line up correctly. Once its mechanically built and all the bugs worked out I`ll break it down and do a full restore. I will post more photos in the future as this project progresses.

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Buy, Sell, Trade / Gas Tank Decals
« on: November 18, 2012, 10:01:46 AM »
WATER SLIDE DECALS
These are just like the old decals we used in the 40`s through the 70`s before everything changed to vinyl stickers. Soak in water for a few minutes and slide on to your tank. Then top coat the whole tank with clear urethane. These are about .004 inch thick so they look like they are painted on after the clear coat is done. These were just made a few weeks ago so they are fresh with no issues. Old stock decals are usually hit & miss if they will work or not as they can get brittle after 40+ years.
All I have is what you see... Made for the Senior Sportsman. The strips where it says "Simplex" and where it says "Sportsman" are clear material, so whatever color your tank is, the strips will also be that color. Same applys to the pin stripe around the "V" it will show the tank color. The gold color is a fine metallic, close to the original decal and made the exact size. The sample photo you see is a quick rattle can paint job on one side only just for display with 1 clear coat after applying the decal to show how the color comes through the background.

I have 40 sets available at a cost of $30.00 per set including postage to the USA
International sales are $25.00 per set PLUS the exact postage to your location
If interested please send me a message through this site and I`ll give you payment information.



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After hours of research I have determined that 1965 which was the final year for Simplex had a frame change that I have not seen on any other model year except 1965. The plate that extendes from the frame tubes to the steering head is about 2" longer on all pre '65 bikes. Also... I could be wrong on color, but I have only seen Orange on known 1965 models.


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Hello gentlemen, Just thought I would introduce myself being new to this board. Any of you on the Oldminibikes.com  site would know me by the same handle “smallbore” a.k.a. Scott. My handle comes from 10 years of competitive rifle shooting in both High Power Rifle and Smallbore Rifle competition. I ran the Smallbore program at our local range for these 10 years and still hold unbroken records many years later. I am no stranger when it comes to motorcycles & minibikes. Growing up in Southern California I have been riding, repairing, and restoring since age 12, 43 years ago. In my early 20`s I attended Santa Monica College where I went to night school 5 nights a week taking Machining, Tool & Die Pattern Making, and Metal Casting. In that class I designed and built a super charger for Honda singles as well as some other cool stuff. From Santa Monica I transferred to LATT in Los Angeles where I took Motorcycle Mechanics so I could get a piece of paper that officially said: “I know what Im doing”. I have a large collection of rare motorcycles and a bunch of minibikes as well.
I see that some of you watch Craigslist and eBay as I do. Well.... I am the one that bought the Senior Sportsman recently that was in Yucaipa California. Im sure there are a few of you wondering why someone would pay so much for that bike. As you know, any of this stuff brings what ever the market will bear or what someone is willing to pay. There are several factors why I paid what I did. #1- The bike was 1-1/2 hour drive away from me = $25.00 in Gas round trip verses $300.00 to 400.00 shipping for out of state, so I had some extra wiggle room there. #2- The rarity of the bike.... (I mainly deal in only rare bikes). That bike is a 1965 model year, and there was only a few built that year before Simplex closed their doors for good. #3-  I have the correct engine in my shop as well as a 1965 California “black & yellow” license plate for it which is out of the DMV system and can be reassigned to this bike with just an application for lost title.  For those of you that were wondering what year it was... I cant stress enough just how important it is to do your research Not just Goggle but other search engines as well as books and magazines. I have won  lots of trophies through the years for “Concourse” restorations including a George Barris trophy which are hard to come by. Concourse shows means every nut, bolt, washer, wiring, graphics, even seat material has to be 100% correct of how it left the factory. Once at the Bultaco World Championships,  I got called  out by the judges for a hose clamp being a Type 1 Cadmium  instead of  Type-2, but I still won best bike in competition with my steel rim 1976 Montesa Cota 172 (one of 500 built). I rode Observed Trials Competition for 16 years and still have several of my old Trials bikes from those days.

Well.... I think I have said more than enough for now. As time permits I will post some photos for you.

Smallbore.......  :)

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