General Category => Other Things Simplex => Topic started by: Stafford on March 24, 2014, 04:07:49 PM
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OK guys...........I think I just might have the bug.
Just purchased my second Simplex.
It is the 56 automatic that was on ebay.
I'll post a couple pictures when I get it.
In the mean time I'll take an asprin and rest.
Cheers
Stafford
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I,d like to have a second Simplex . IF I have something I want a spare one . Then I want a spare pair . LOL
Enjoy your bikes .
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Is that the one that has the sidecar?
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No not that one, but wasn't that cute. This one looks to be in good shape. Like the first one I picked up it was restored years ago and let set. Just replaced the tires and a little clean up on the first one and it was ready to ride. Hope this one will work out the same. I do have a question. On the 1956 will it have a frame number or just the motor number.
Cheers
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Both. Frame numbers started around 1950. Motors always had numbers.
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Thanks Rick
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Where would the VIN be on frame of this bike?
Thanks in advance.
Cheers
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Frame number is under the neck.
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Got you.......Much thanks admin.
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I know this is silly but does anyone have all three versions of the Simplex. Direct drive, clutch and automatic. Oh and then the truck. Cheers Stafford
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Hi Guys,
Just got in from picking up the new Simplex. Seller said it was his grandfather's. He purchased it in the sixties and repaired it then put it on display in his auto body garage. When he passed it went to the son then to the grandson. I guess grand kids don't have a sense of family history. If it was my grandfather's, then father's it would be setting in my living room. That's just me. I'll get numbers tomorrow and see about getting them in. In the mean time what do you guys think.
Here are the pics.
Cheers
Stafford
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I can't get over how you guys find all of these.....I'll bet there's not another Simplex within a hundred miles of here.....
Thats a nice looking bike. Is that S on the front fender an original decal? I've never seen another one.
Mike Sal
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Hi Mike,
The S is paint; looks like the bike may have been wrecked at some point and repainted and pin striped.
There is evidence of a repair to the forks.
The Grandson did not know much about it's history other than it had been his grandfather's and dad's then passed to him.
Not related at all but my brother and I jointly own a 1930 something 1/2 hp. Evinrude boat motor that our dad used on a small boat when we were kids. Just the way we are; we will never let it go.
Question:
The bike has wider rims than the 47; is that common on the newer bikes?
The tires are the same but the width of the rim make them look bigger.
Cheers and Thanks
Stafford
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Question:
The bike has wider rims than the 47; is that common on the newer bikes?
The tires are the same but the width of the rim make them look bigger.
Cheers and Thanks
Stafford
The wheels went from 1" drop center rims to 2" wide on the 1949 Model L. Those 2" wheels were used on all the bikes until the end except for the 1959/60 Sportsman.
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The 2 inch wheel rims were introduced in the '49 L model.
I don't have any cool stuff from the family.....mostly due to most of them being dirt poor & not having cool stuff & once dad was done with something he would get rid of it rather than keep it.
Mike Sal
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I understand about tough times Mike.
My father was an abused child and put on the streets at 12 years old.
He had no real contact with any of his family until he was in his thirties.
At 15 he became a Merchant Marine and sailed all over Germany during WW2.
At 25 he mat my mother and stopped sailing and took whatever jobs he could.
At 45 he started his own business and became very successful.
He never forgot those bad times and spent all his free time working to better the lives of others.
He made us kids volunteer in our community and taught us the value of education and hard work.
I will always be thankful for him teaching me those things.
Cheers
Stafford
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I'm pretty sure your bike is an anniversary model The have that special decal on the front fender and the frames were painted the same color as the tanks and fenders. 1955 I believe,
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Wow.......now that would be cool.
Headed out to the barn now to play a little.
I'll try and get a good picture of it to be posted.
Love finding out the history of things.
Cheers
Stafford
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"Love finding out the history of things."
Now whodda ever guessed that ? You being an archeologist and all . ;)
I'm not one of those , but I soak up history , without credentials , anyway .
Pete . :)
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Hi Pd and Simplexguy,
Yea that history thing was pretty funny. Never looked at it that way.
I took a couple shots of the tank and finder graphics.
They are hand painted along with the pinstripes.
The tank is obviously an attempt to reproduce what was original.
I don't know about the finder graphics.
I have not seen that before now.
It would be cool to know the "Grandfather" had something a little special.
I wonder if he knew something about it and that is why he saved it from being scrapped in the sixties.
Anything you guys come up with please let me know.
Enjoy the pics.
Cheers
Stafford
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Stafford ,
I'm thinking that the fender graphic is an artists rendition of :
(http://www.nostalgicreflections.com/images/decalsimplexmcy.jpg)
Pete . :)
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Here's another possibility :
Note the seat decal :
(http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Vintage-Simplex-Kart-early-Mark-I-II-Decal-Set-/00/s/NjI0WDU0MQ==/z/rd4AAMXQVERSrNyd/$_35.JPG)
Pete . :)
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You got it.
Looks very much like the go cart decal.
Who ever did the striping had a great hand and eye for doing detail.
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It's possible the S decal (now in paint) was something they borrowed from a go-cart back in the 60's when grandpa did the restoration.
The frame number will help determine if you've got an anniversary model or not. It's just in front of the crashbars on the bottom of the frame neck. Don't forget to include the motor number too.
Mike Sal
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I like that S decal looks like it should be there. I also like the fact that somebody took the time amd skill to paint the name on the tank. Stafford just be ready for one day I will get mine finished and running and I will be riding by your house. ;D
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Hi Guys,
Just came in from starting on the Simplex.
The tank is really gunked up.
I've got a feeling the carburetor will be the same.
Mike I tried to send the personal info. and numbers but they bounced back.
Should I not send them out here or is that OK?
And Reese you can always drop by on the Simplex or anything you like.
Cheers
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"The tank is really gunked up."
What kind of gunk ?
Pete . :)
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Looks like street tar. They must of stored it with a full tank of gas.
The gas evaporated and left the oil mix, which dried in a mess about 1/2 inch thick.
I'm using a solvent and sheetrock screws to shake around inside to remove it.
The screws work better on rust but what the hack, it's worth a try.
At least there is no rust inside, it never had a chance.
Going to take it one part at a time; next will be the carb.
On another note I read on one of the post that there was someone that was selling handle grips.
If so I could use that info, the ones on the bike need to be replaced.
Cheers
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Maybe Wayne has OEM type grips ???
Pete . :)
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I'll give him a shout..........
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Stafford, You can post the numbers here if you can't get a PM to me to work (not sure why it wouldn't).
I took my tank to a radiator shop & they cooked out the rendered down gunk (your right, the oil kept it from rusting). I just soaked the carb parts in gas & it cleaned up like new.
Wayne has the handlebar grips.
Mike Sal
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Hi Mike,
I'm sure it's something I'm doing or not doing. Got so mad at the computer awhile back I through the mouse.
Won't do that again, it hit the screen and busted it. Had it buy another computer.
Anyway sent the info to your profile email. Hope that is OK.
Thanks for the lead on the grips.
Cheers
Fred
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Fred, I get the feeling there are not many like your dad these days. It seems a lot of people just want to be part of the FSA (free shit army)! I have done my best to pass along the importance of hard work and perseverance to my children, and I hope when they have kids of their own, they do the same.
Rick
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Thanks admin,
As you can tell I was very close to my dad. He even went as far as taking in people with no place to go.
Made for an interesting childhood but I would not trade it for the world.
I'm a firm believer that if you raise you children right no matter what happens in their life they will always know the way back. I know your kids and grandkids will do fine because of what you just said.
My dad always said that if the best you can do is dig a ditch, then dig the straightest and cleanest ditch you can.
Always do your best no matter what.
April will be 14 years since he passed away.
Seems like a life time.
Cheers
Stafford.
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I really like the graphic on that fender, I bet I could make a version of that in vinyl.
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Hi Sonrisers,
What do you think a large one to go on a shop door would cost.
Something say around 10 to 12 inches square.
Might look good on my truck too.
Just a thought.
Cheers
Stafford
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Stafford, Sonnrisors makes one like this. Looks great to me.. 8)
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Thanks Reese,
That is very nice.
Sunrisors talk to me.
Spending way too much money on toys but why stop now.
Mike, thanks again; I just ordered grips from Wayne for both bikes.
Just a note:
My wife has claimed the Automatic.
She has a Yamaha 250 V Star and told me I could sell it, she wants the auto.
I just love my wife. (;-{)>
Cheers
Stafford
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Do you want it mounted on a metal sign blank, or just a decal you can put on a smooth metal surface? Something 1'x1' would be $15 to design it, and around $10 for the decal. But after it is designed, the decals can be reproduced and bought for $10. There are a lot if different options after the initial design....different colors...we can even cut it out of a vinyl that looks and feels just like glass etching.
Design fee...$15
Decal fee...$10 ea
Decal in glass etching $20
White metal sign blank to put decals on around $10....depending on size.
Let me know and I'll see what I can come up with.
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Hey Sunrisers,
What does the Simplex winged logo go for, and what are the dimensions.
I like it better than the other V thing.
Thanks and cheers
Stafford
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The winged logo like Reese has is $38 plus shipping. It measures 25" x 9". Let me know if you are interested, and I'll get it printed up. I would still like to design the other one...If there was enough interest, I would waive the design fee. Are you planning on going to Portland this summer Stafford? I'd sure like meet ya, My wife and I are gonna set up our Kettle Korn...we took it last year for the first time and had a blast. We got all the Simplex's together for a big group photo in front of the Kettle Korn booth. I'd like to get enough together this year to get the attention of the quarterly magazine.lol
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Portland last year. http://www.simplexservi-cycle.com/index.php?topic=917.0 Met some really nice people.
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Hi Sunrisers,
I have an order for you. If the V logo is two tone I would like it to be the cream and red like the finder logo on my bike.
See photo below. If you can send me a total with freight and your address I'll get you a check out.
Cheers
Stafford
1 X Winged Logo @........ $38
2 X V Logo @ $10 each....$20
1 X Metal Back @............$10
1 X Design Fee @............$15
Sub Total.......................$83
Shipping........................
Grand Total....................
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Hi Again Sunrisers,
I don't think Portland is in the near future for me. I go to Sturgis SD. every few years and Burning Man in the Black Rock Desert. Both trips are 2 to 3 weeks and 3 to 4 thousand miles round trip. Most of my wife's family live in Florida; so you can see adding another 2 thousand mile trip is a big deal. I hope to work it in some time in the future though. Looks like a lot of fun. Try and send me a few pics of the event this year and I'll see it through your eyes.
Cheers for now
Stafford
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I'll get to work on your order and let you know something next week. Thanks
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Stafford, my wife designed the sv decal today, pictured is just a mock up. I will pm you with more details and progress and total cost.
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Hi Sonrisers,
VERY NICE, I was wondering how things were progressing.
Can't wait to see them.
Cheers
Stafford
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Stafford, decals are done, sent you a pm. James
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Thanks Sonrisers did you get my replay? I'll mail the check tomorrow.
Again thanks; I look forward to getting them.
Cheers
Stafford