General Category => Introductions => Topic started by: Wozzer on March 17, 2014, 08:33:12 AM
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Hello all. I am new to the site and wanted to introduce myself. I am the proud owner of a 52 automatic. I purchased the bike about twelve years ago. Did some work to it and then got a little distracted with other hobbies. As I have fixed everything in my house this winter in the vortex, I decided to start up on the bike again. Looking forward to being part of the community.
Greg
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Welcome Wozzer! Where in NY? I'm on long island.
Post a picture and the engine and frame numbers. 1953 is the beginning of the automatic years, so lets figure out what you have.
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Rick,
I live in the Saratoga Springs area. My frame number is 10242. I will get the engine number this afternoon. Any suggestions on posting a photo. File size is too big.
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Welcome Wozzer . :)
640x480 works nicely for me . I have them resized automatically by Photobucket . That site also provides image posting codes . There is an option on this site for clickable thumbs . Hit the preview button below the Quick Reply box . Then the + Additional Options...
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Frame number is a 1955. Post a picture of the steering plate also, when you get a chance. The early ones had curved sides, the later straight. I am guessing straight on yours.
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Here is a photo after disassembly.
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That looks like an easy resto! Do you have all the motor and transmission pieces?
There is the AMCA show in Rhinebeck in early June, are you thinking of going?
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Rick,
I have all of the major parts, motor,trans, magneto cover, air cleaner etc. It just needs a little tlc after sitting for a while. I do need a tail light and a few minor parts. I have some good friends that go down to Rhinebeck every year, may have to tag along this year.
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Rick,
I have all of the major parts, motor,trans, magneto cover, air cleaner etc. It just needs a little tlc after sitting for a while. I do need a tail light and a few minor parts. I have some good friends that go down to Rhinebeck every year, may have to tag along this year.
Bring your bike. I took one of mine 2 years ago and got a great reception.
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I'm surprised to see the curve sided anchor plate and ignition stalk. The serial number puts it over halfway into the '55 model year. The brake actuating lever looks right. Greg do you know if the bike seemed original when you got it, or was it possibly made up from parts from other bikes?
Send me a PM w/ your last name & the motor number & I'll add you to the registry.
Mike Sal
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The bike was found in a barn in California by my brother in law. It was originally red. Not sure of history before that. I hope to get more info later this week. I still have the original head nut. The ignition stalk was purchased from Wayne a long time ago. Would like to bring it back as original as possible if it is not already frankenstien.
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Mike, that brake pedal style started with the 1953 model.
Wozzer, is there an ignition switch in the handlebar mounting plate? Is there a switch in the head light housing? We need a closeup of the steering parts so we can see the switches used.
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There is nothing in the head light. There is a hole in the handlebar mounting plate for a switch.
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There is nothing in the head light. There is a hole in the handlebar mounting plate for a switch.
Do you happen to have the stock switch. I think your bike used the combination ignition/light switch, which is not available, as far as I know. Wayne did have a replacement available for a while, but I seem to remember him telling me the company is no longer making it for him. Since you have the tower from Wayne, might as well get the switch for that and add the toggle switch for the lights. I won't tell!! LOL
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Not sure if you can tell from the photo, but I have a toggle in the handlebar mount that I got from wayne in the eraly 2000's. I hope that it is the correct one.
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Rick, the brake lever I was referring to is the one on the backing plate on the rear wheel, not the foot pedal. They used several different types over the years.
I'll bet it originally had the toggle switch in the anchor plate & no key or stalk.
Mike Sal
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Mike
You are correct. The original head bolt was a chrome acorn nut. I have a switch with three terminals.
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Hello and Welcome to the forum . Enjoy your bike .
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Rick, the brake lever I was referring to is the one on the backing plate on the rear wheel, not the foot pedal. They used several different types over the years.
I'll bet it originally had the toggle switch in the anchor plate & no key or stalk.
Mike Sal
Ok Mike, I misunderstood.
What year did they change from the stalk ignition switch to the multi switch?
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The multi function key switch (ignition plus lights) came in '56. I thought the stalk mounted ignition switch first appeared sometime in '54, but haven't been able to pin it down exactly.
Mike Sal
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The multi function key switch (ignition plus lights) came in '56. I thought the stalk mounted ignition switch first appeared sometime in '54, but haven't been able to pin it down exactly.
Mike Sal
Bill Erickson's 1952 Truck has a tower, my 1953 and 1954 both have one also.
I just checked the 1951 Simplex Instruction Book and it shows the button switch on the magneto plate to kill the motor. The 1952-1953 Instruction Book tells the user to turn the key. That tells me 1952 was the first year of the tower ignition.
The Simplex 125 manual, printed August 1953 shows the tower also. This manual does not cover anything about the automatic.
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Rick ,
Something to consider : A time line thread , where 'innovations' or changes were introduced or ended .
That thread should be a read only thread for the membership and only added to or edited by admin or authorized individuals . All discussion about the thread would take place elsewhere .
Pete . :)
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Rick ,
Something to consider : A time line thread , where 'innovations' or changes were introduced or ended .
That thread should be a read only thread for the membership and only added to or edited by admin or authorized individuals . All discussion about the thread would take place elsewhere .
Pete . :)
Mike Sal has already done it. He will be publishing it shortly and will make it a sticky. When he does, if anyone spots something incorrect, please send him a note. Same goes for additions.
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Can't wait for that to be shown.
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Ah . Great minds ... and all that . ;)
When is the proposed release date and when should we expect our engraved invitations . :D
Pete . :)
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All, I've just uploaded a PDF in the "What Year is My Bike" section as a sticky. Look it over & start sending me additions & corrections.
Rick, you were a step ahead of me. I was just getting ready to go thru the manuals for research & you beat me to it.
Also, I've uploaded an update to the registry. We've got 160 entries (a handful are references). Not bad!
Mike Sal
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Mike ,
I just took a stroll through both the registry and the 'difference' PDF .
Nicely done . Thanks for your efforts .
Pete . :)