31
Other Things Simplex / Re: Simplex Halloween?
« on: October 27, 2014, 07:26:00 AM »
I DID invite Flo over to my place for a little girl on girl action afterwards!!!
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32
Other Things Simplex / Re: Simplex Halloween?
« on: October 26, 2014, 07:38:34 PM »
The skirt got in the way, so had to leave the simplex home......Jan, the toyota receptionist, and Flo, the progressive insurance gal had a fun time at a fund raiser halloween party last night!
Mike Sal
Mike Sal
33
Other Things Simplex / Re: OT...A stash of Cushmans, Motorbikes & Stuff
« on: October 23, 2014, 06:26:02 PM »
Hi Ho all.....sorry I've not been on for a while.....going too many directions all at the same time....
We've been plagued with delays due to schedule conflicts between us and the people with the cushmans. Hopefully in the next week or two we'll make it. They are trying to accommodate us as best they can as they would like to get the stuff out of their hair. Turns out there is an elderly step-mother who suffers from alzheimers with some half brothers & sisters that have that "we want our share" attitude.
And yes, I have been trying to troll the Samba site......I've got this hankering to own a vw squareback station wagon....I'd like to have a karman ghia too but don't have room for both......
We've been plagued with delays due to schedule conflicts between us and the people with the cushmans. Hopefully in the next week or two we'll make it. They are trying to accommodate us as best they can as they would like to get the stuff out of their hair. Turns out there is an elderly step-mother who suffers from alzheimers with some half brothers & sisters that have that "we want our share" attitude.
And yes, I have been trying to troll the Samba site......I've got this hankering to own a vw squareback station wagon....I'd like to have a karman ghia too but don't have room for both......
34
Other Things Simplex / Re: What's up?
« on: October 09, 2014, 10:16:50 AM »
Regarding brakes.....I'm not sure that thicker material will help. The brake drum of a Simplex is so thin, the heat from friction may make it expand enough to negate the extra friction material.
Mike Sal
Mike Sal
35
Other Things Simplex / Re: What's up?
« on: October 09, 2014, 10:10:29 AM »
I must confess that I've not touched my bike since I came home from Portland.....I purchased a new ignition coil for it at the meet, but can't figure out where I put it (I remember having it my hand when we unpacked & thinking that I should put it where it belongs before I lose it.....but lost it anyway....).
I've been plugging away at re-working the cosmetics on the Kubelwagen & re-painting the replacement parts on the BMW war bike.....and trying to work on the '55 studebaker that's in the road in the shop as well.....
This weekend I was supposed to have a free weekend, as Sonya & her buddys were going to the covered bridge festivals in Indiana.....then 2 days ago they changed their plans & now the husbands have to go too......
Mike Sal
I've been plugging away at re-working the cosmetics on the Kubelwagen & re-painting the replacement parts on the BMW war bike.....and trying to work on the '55 studebaker that's in the road in the shop as well.....
This weekend I was supposed to have a free weekend, as Sonya & her buddys were going to the covered bridge festivals in Indiana.....then 2 days ago they changed their plans & now the husbands have to go too......
Mike Sal
36
Other Things Simplex / Re: We made it!
« on: October 06, 2014, 05:03:53 PM »
Hmmm....I never noticed that either.
Mike Sal
Mike Sal
37
Other Things Simplex / Re: We made it!
« on: October 06, 2014, 07:43:58 AM »
Just home from weekend in chicago (grandson's babtism) & had received the magazine in the mail. Good looking bunch on the back cover for sure. Several other Simplex's in the pages inbetween also....I wonder if they did that just to shut us up! 
Mike Sal
Mike Sal
38
Buy, Sell, Trade / Re: Frame Value
« on: August 29, 2014, 08:44:17 AM »
Does the frame have a brake light switch (would be located on top of the rear lower bar, just behind where the motor would attach)? The frame number puts it into that fuzzy range where it could have been a late '55 or early '56. The '56 model is generally considered when the first brake light switches were installed.
Mike Sal
Mike Sal
39
Other Things Simplex / Re: OT...A stash of Cushmans, Motorbikes & Stuff
« on: August 27, 2014, 01:41:56 PM »
I should have the CD in a day or two. I'll post more photos then.
One story the gal shared with my friend is that her father believed his crowning achievement in life had been to buy a certain motor/tranny (still in the crate) from another old timer Cushman guy. It is some rare model of motor that he had coveted for years & finally was able to purchase it from a guy who was dying of cancer. The story goes that the dying guy told him that he knew he was being low balled, but thought it better for the motor to go to another cushman guy that he knew rather than a stranger. She says the motor is still in the crate.
We're trying to figure out when we can make the trip out to see the stuff in person & possibly cut a deal. They have no idea at all what the value is (and neither do I). As I mentioned, they had considered sending in the scrap metal guy before my buddy stopped them. One major piece of the puzzle will be the condition of the other bikes (by buddy said the hondas & Puchs looked nice). There are 3 trucksters setting outside the building because he had literally ran out of room to get them inside.
Mike Sal
One story the gal shared with my friend is that her father believed his crowning achievement in life had been to buy a certain motor/tranny (still in the crate) from another old timer Cushman guy. It is some rare model of motor that he had coveted for years & finally was able to purchase it from a guy who was dying of cancer. The story goes that the dying guy told him that he knew he was being low balled, but thought it better for the motor to go to another cushman guy that he knew rather than a stranger. She says the motor is still in the crate.
We're trying to figure out when we can make the trip out to see the stuff in person & possibly cut a deal. They have no idea at all what the value is (and neither do I). As I mentioned, they had considered sending in the scrap metal guy before my buddy stopped them. One major piece of the puzzle will be the condition of the other bikes (by buddy said the hondas & Puchs looked nice). There are 3 trucksters setting outside the building because he had literally ran out of room to get them inside.
Mike Sal
40
Other Things Simplex / OT...A stash of Cushmans, Motorbikes & Stuff
« on: August 27, 2014, 10:52:35 AM »
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
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
41
Other Things Simplex / Re: Picked up a 52 today!
« on: August 15, 2014, 10:44:36 AM »
It's possible that someone else hit the bike rather than the bike running into something.
Send us your frame & motor number so we can add it to the list.
Mike Sal
Send us your frame & motor number so we can add it to the list.
Mike Sal
42
Engine & Transmission / Re: Phelon lighting Coils Output
« on: August 15, 2014, 10:43:15 AM »
I've been too covered up to pull the flywheel & work on my bike (those at Portland got to see my frustration when the bike decided to stop running).
The extra ground wire I ran on my harness comes back to the motor....I don't ground anything to the frame (I also powdercoated the frame & didn't want to grind off a spot). Everything is grounded to the motor.
I'll check out that switch.....the first switch I got from Wayne was wired wrong....maybe this one is too.
Mike Sal
The extra ground wire I ran on my harness comes back to the motor....I don't ground anything to the frame (I also powdercoated the frame & didn't want to grind off a spot). Everything is grounded to the motor.
I'll check out that switch.....the first switch I got from Wayne was wired wrong....maybe this one is too.
Mike Sal
43
Engine & Transmission / Re: Drive Belts
« on: August 13, 2014, 08:58:19 AM »
Looks identical to mine as well. I think they may have used this brake arm for the rest of production. Maybe Rick can let us know if the one on his Sportsman is the same or not.
Mike Sal
Mike Sal
44
Introductions / Re: Hello From Michigan
« on: August 12, 2014, 03:52:52 PM »
Hmmm....here's another example of a bike that the frame number indicates a late '56 or early '57, but was purchased in '58 (did grandpa buy it new, or maybe slightly used?). Your bike is 43 units later than mine (15249).
I think if it was mine, I would refinish the wheels & leave the rest alone. Don't be surprised if you find that the races & bearing cups need replaced. Also, take care when removing the drive pulley from the rear wheel. They tended to rust where moisture & dirt collect between it and the rim.
Mike Sal
I think if it was mine, I would refinish the wheels & leave the rest alone. Don't be surprised if you find that the races & bearing cups need replaced. Also, take care when removing the drive pulley from the rear wheel. They tended to rust where moisture & dirt collect between it and the rim.
Mike Sal
45
Engine & Transmission / Re: Drive Belts
« on: August 12, 2014, 10:27:49 AM »
Wow, what a great piece of history. I really like the note "gift from mother to her son". The lucky SOB!!!!
It's interesting that it was titled in August of '58....well into the model year. You got to wonder how long it was on the dealer's show room before being purchased. If the theory of the numbers holds true that the bike was actually made in '57, it would further support the story that there were a lot of '57's left over & sold as '58's.
My bike was in Illinois when I got it, but I don't know if that's where it started out, as the previous owner was dead by the time I got it.
Send us a close up photo of your back brake pivot arm. The old timers seem to be able to judge the age by those (there were several different designs & lengths used over the years).
Mike Sal
It's interesting that it was titled in August of '58....well into the model year. You got to wonder how long it was on the dealer's show room before being purchased. If the theory of the numbers holds true that the bike was actually made in '57, it would further support the story that there were a lot of '57's left over & sold as '58's.
My bike was in Illinois when I got it, but I don't know if that's where it started out, as the previous owner was dead by the time I got it.
Send us a close up photo of your back brake pivot arm. The old timers seem to be able to judge the age by those (there were several different designs & lengths used over the years).
Mike Sal