Hello to all my old Friends of Simplex.  I hope everyone is doing well.  As you can probably guess, I've taken a break from the motorbikes for a while.  I will retire in March, so hope to pick up the ball again.  Can you tell me what the dates are for the Portland meet?
seeya,
Mike Sal(tsgaver)

I got a call last night from a good friend in the Studebaker Club.  He knew I liked motorbikes & thought this might be an opportunity.

His wife's co-worker is trying to dispose of her father's estate & discovered that he had a 2 story shop stuffed full of Cushmans & NOS cushman parts.  She had never been in the building he had called "his toy shop" & was shocked.  there are stacks of NOS fenders, tires, engines (still in crates), & who knows what else.  There are a few non Cushmans too (Hondas, Puchs, etc).

She originally sent a note to the president of the Cushman club & even tried to call him, but he politely told them he wasn't interested in helping them.  They then tried to contact the "Pickers" people to see if they were interested.  No reply from them.  They then got to thinking maybe the stuff wasn't worth anything & thought about calling a scrap dealer in to haul it all away.  She remembered that her co-worker's husband tinkered with old cars & decided to see if he new if they were worth anything.  They pulled a handfull of bikes out (there are over 30) & washed the dust off of them to take some pictures.

They are sending me a CD with over 100 photos of "stuff" she captured to give an idea of what they have.  They would like to see someone swoop in, write a check, & haul everything away.  They have even extended an invitation to stay at their home during the process. 

I'm thinking that I have to step up to this challenge, but my knowledge of Cushmans is somewhat limited.  Where can I do some real boning up on the subject?

More to come.....
Mike S

I had convinced Sonya that we should take some saved money that's earning nothing in the bank & invest it in some toys that will provide a better return.  I told her we could have fun with the BMW & when finished with it, it would be worth more than when we purchased.......sounded good until I smashed it up last saturday & she began questioning why she married me.......

But, Sunday we took a bike ride down to Clarksville, Tn to visit a reenacting buddy who had another toy for sale......and now we own a reproduction Kubelwagen.  I know it's not a motorcycle, but thought you folks would get a kick out of seeing.  It needs some cleaning up, but as long as I don't smash it up on a trailer, we should be able to have some fun with it.

Have I mentioned how much I love my wife?
Mike Sal

In other thread Relic had shown some pics of his wiring for his late model brake switch.  He is using Cole Hersee # 9071.  It is a normally "closed" switch which must have the plunger pulled out to break the circuit.

This is not the correct switch for the '57 & later bikes.  It is correct for the 1956 model bikes, where the switch is mounted on top of the lower bar, right behind the motor.

The correct switch for '57 & later bikes is # 9109.  It is normally "open" & must have the plunger pulled out in order to close the circuit.

Since the 9109 switch is very difficult to find right now (they are still listed in their catalog on line), relic (and I) are mounting our switches backwards.

I mounted the switch I got from relic the normal way (didn't think to check it before mounting it) & found that the length of the wire would be a little better if it was 5 1/2 to 6 inches long, as at 5 inches, it puts the attachment point very close to the rear fender & more difficult to reach. 

As it is now, I'm going to make some short pigtail extensions to make my wires reach the switch when it's mounted backwards.  If I ever get my hands on the correct switch, I can just take off the pigtails without having to cut up the wires.
Mike Sal

No one interested in the late model motor on ebay?  Looks to be a good deal (compared to what you'd have to pay for having one rebuilt these days.  It's a 56 or later (hole drilled for the phelon magneto wires).  Only 15 hours to go.
Mike Sal

The model K brochure that Rick posted highlights the anchor plate as though it was a new feature, but the articles by Hilliker in the VMBC magazine say that it was actually introduced with some useage in the '48 models.   
Mike Sal

I just noticed that Summit Racing is now listing our tires on ebay.  $126.00 & free shipping.  These are the tires that Coker reproduced after being badgered by Gary Wollard some years ago.
MikeSal

Stopped at the Peotone, IL motorcycle swapmeet on Sunday as we were coming home from Chicago.  Picked up a free issue of The Buzzzzz Rag magazine (december issue) started by the guy who started Walnecks.  On page 23 there's a good original, or older restoration example of a Western Auto Simplex for sale.  I couldn't get a good scan of the page to post here, but I'll transcribe the ad:

1958? Wizard (Simplex) Sold thru "Western Auto" stores.  Runs fine.  Original air in tires.  $5,500.  Garry 815-557-6590 (Chicago land area).

I plan to call the guy tonight to see if I can get the frame/motor numbers.  I think it's older than '58.  It's a black frame w/ that standard red (I call it lipstick red) color Simplex used in the 50's.  I can tell it has a Wico mag & looks to be a leather seat.  It also has what appears to be a chromed transmission "hoop" (I've seen them in some factory photos).
Mike Sal