46
Buy, Sell, Trade / Simplex Speedometer on ebay
« on: June 18, 2012, 07:44:52 PM »
There's a really nice speedo on ebay, under "Simplex motorbike". Opening bid has been made at $129....
Mike Sal
Mike Sal
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47
Frame, Tank, Seat, Controls, Etc / Painted Bike Parts
« on: June 04, 2012, 07:44:07 PM »
Got my tank & fenders back today. The guy put the decal on too far back, but it's clear coated on so I'll get used to it I guess. I layed some of the parts out for fun to take a couple pictures. As soon as i get the wheels trued up, I'll be slapping it back together. I recieved the dual exhaust pipes from Wollard, so will be getting them cleaned & painted too.
Mike Sal
Mike Sal
48
Buy, Sell, Trade / California Bikes on ebay
« on: May 31, 2012, 10:54:37 AM »
Two more Servi-cycles on ebay. Search "Simplex Servicycle". The complete one appears to be '53 or older, the other one a '55 or newer.
Mike Sal
Mike Sal
49
Wheels & Tires / Wheel Bearings
« on: May 27, 2012, 04:14:19 PM »
Been working on the building until it gets too hot, then going to the shop to tinker with the bike until it gets too hot in there. Finally got both wheels respoked. Not too complicated, but I'm wondering why Simplex didn't put a "dish" shape into the front hubs (or the small flange on the back hub). Without a dish shape, the spokes are in a slight bind. If I'd realized it before hand, I would have probably made a ring to press in a little bit of bend into the flange. As you can see in the photo, I layed out a circle on some cardboard & marked where each hole is on the rim, then did a dry run of where the spokes would land when I added the rim.
Anyway, I pulled out the 2 baggies containing the axles & bearings so I could clean them up & install them so I can start to true the wheels up. They had been in the bags since I took the bike apart. I dumped the bag into a pan of gas to get all the old grease & dirt off the parts. When I started pulling the ball bearings out of the pan, I found something odd.....there were brass colored broken bearings, and a bad gall mark on one of the bearing cones. Upon closer examination, the back wheel was missing 2 balls, and apparantly in thier place, somebody put 2 hollow brass balls in their place. They didn't hold up very well. I guess I'll call Wayne this week to see if he's got any bearing cones. If it weren't for that odd thread, I could probably make one, but I don't want to buy a tap that I'll only use one time.
Mike Sal
Anyway, I pulled out the 2 baggies containing the axles & bearings so I could clean them up & install them so I can start to true the wheels up. They had been in the bags since I took the bike apart. I dumped the bag into a pan of gas to get all the old grease & dirt off the parts. When I started pulling the ball bearings out of the pan, I found something odd.....there were brass colored broken bearings, and a bad gall mark on one of the bearing cones. Upon closer examination, the back wheel was missing 2 balls, and apparantly in thier place, somebody put 2 hollow brass balls in their place. They didn't hold up very well. I guess I'll call Wayne this week to see if he's got any bearing cones. If it weren't for that odd thread, I could probably make one, but I don't want to buy a tap that I'll only use one time.
Mike Sal
50
Other Things Simplex / All quiet on the western front
« on: May 18, 2012, 10:46:50 AM »
Wow....this site has been very quiet for a while.....I imagine most of you are too busy tinkering with your bike projects to spend any time on the computer....right???
I've been just about as bad. I work on the building (22 x 30) I'm putting up every evening after work till dark, then it's a pit stop for a snack and then on to the shop building to tinker with the Simplex project.....last night it was sanding another coat of primer on the wheel rims. The tank & fenders are still out at with the painter....when they get back I'm sure I'll want to put the project in overdrive so I can see it all together......all the while my '55 Studebaker President is setting, waiting on me to get back to getting it road ready.....the original plan was to have it ready for the convention in South Bend this summer......I have new front springs & suspension parts that need to be installed.......
I just took in an 800 Case tractor (wide front end & end loader) as a down payment for a piece of property we're selling & that's trying to steal time away from me as well....it runs good, but has an exhaust leak that needs looked into......where does all the time go?
?
Mike Sal
I've been just about as bad. I work on the building (22 x 30) I'm putting up every evening after work till dark, then it's a pit stop for a snack and then on to the shop building to tinker with the Simplex project.....last night it was sanding another coat of primer on the wheel rims. The tank & fenders are still out at with the painter....when they get back I'm sure I'll want to put the project in overdrive so I can see it all together......all the while my '55 Studebaker President is setting, waiting on me to get back to getting it road ready.....the original plan was to have it ready for the convention in South Bend this summer......I have new front springs & suspension parts that need to be installed.......
I just took in an 800 Case tractor (wide front end & end loader) as a down payment for a piece of property we're selling & that's trying to steal time away from me as well....it runs good, but has an exhaust leak that needs looked into......where does all the time go?
?Mike Sal
51
Other Simplexes, such as Sportsman Senior & Jr, scooter / Sportsman Senior Serial Numbers
« on: April 29, 2012, 06:58:32 AM »
I obtained the serial number for the Senior which is currently on ebay. Based on the anniversary tank decal and the low number (only 4 digits.....4644), would you also think this is a '55 model? I wonder how they kept mini bike and scooter serial numbers separated?
Mike Sal
Mike Sal
52
Simplex Registry / Registry for All Things Simplex
« on: April 27, 2012, 07:12:19 PM »
UPDATED 11/11/17
53
Buy, Sell, Trade / Rolling chasis for sale in Wisconsin
« on: April 20, 2012, 11:00:55 AM »
Sorry for the late notice, but just saw it myself. A pre-49 rolling chasis, with gas tank & transmission selling in 1 hour. Item number 160783018755. It has narrow rims too.
Mike Sal
Mike Sal
54
Frame, Tank, Seat, Controls, Etc / Handlebar Mounting Plate
« on: April 10, 2012, 05:49:48 PM »
When I look at the photo of the bike Rick got in Ohio, which we think is a '54, I notice that the sides of the plate are curved (sort of a hourglass shape). When I look at the photo of Bill Marcum's bike, which we think is a '55, it has a mounting plate with straight sides (like my bike does, which we think is a '56). Does this give us the clue that '55 was the year they changed?
When I was cleaning up mine, I can see the impression of the curve on one side. Makes me think that maybe the tool broke & they just cobbled it back together without the curved punches in the die.
Mike Sal
When I was cleaning up mine, I can see the impression of the curve on one side. Makes me think that maybe the tool broke & they just cobbled it back together without the curved punches in the die.
Mike Sal
55
Engine & Transmission / Compression Plate Side Cover
« on: April 03, 2012, 04:20:04 AM »
I ordered a new one from Wayne, but it looks awful. It looks like a jitterbug sander was used on part of it. The only reason I ordered a new one was that mine was dull looking & I didn't know how well it would clean up. What's up with the finish Wayne put on it? It will take a lot of sanding & finish work to make it look ok. I'd be better off with my old one.
Mike Sal
Mike Sal
56
Brochures and other Literature / Simplex in VMBC Magazines
« on: April 02, 2012, 02:10:39 PM »
I received permission from the Vintage Motor Bike Club president to copy articles from their magazine to post here. I have a stack of magazines from 2004 thru now & will be scanning the things which feature Simplex's. The first attempt here is from the Autum 2008 magazine which features some bikes & a truck owned by Bill Erickson, who lives near Chicago (Bill's Simplex site is one of the first to pop up when you do a search for Simplex on the internet). If the file is the wrong size, I'll ask Rick to help fix it.
Mike Sal
Mike Sal
57
Buy, Sell, Trade / Pre-49 rolling chasis on ebay
« on: March 31, 2012, 08:49:19 PM »
That rolling chasis in Wisconsin is back on ebay again (was last on about a month ago I think). In the "other makes" motorcycle section.
Mike Sal
Mike Sal
58
Buy, Sell, Trade / 2 Bikes On Ebay 30 March 12
« on: March 31, 2012, 06:03:54 AM »
2 nice looking, but older restoration, bikes on ebay right now with 4 days to go. The red one has the goose neck handle bar mount & the blue one has a phelon magneto, so my guess is pre-49 for red and 56 or later on the blue one. I still don't know how to make a link, so the auction numbers are 300689357915 & 300689358929.
Mike Sal
Mike Sal
59
Buy, Sell, Trade / Chrome Tank on ebay
« on: March 27, 2012, 08:30:45 PM »
Have you guys noticed the older chrome gas tank on ebay? Item No. 29068863685.
Mike Sal
Mike Sal
60
Wheels & Tires / Brakes
« on: March 19, 2012, 08:16:43 PM »
Didn't know if I wanted this in the transmission section or a "brake" section, but figured more guys need brakes than clutches. Anyway, the original lining was about 1/3 to 1/2 worn on both my automatic clutch and the rear brake, so figured I'd replace the linings. Below are some photos on how it works (although I'll have to post the finished product tomorrow, as I decided to repaint my mini antique riveter & I used slow drying paint).
The original linings are molded (probably w/ asbestos) & the ones Wayne sells are woven. The rivets are 9/64 dia. (.140) so use a #27 drill. What your looking for is to just drill off the upset part of the rivet. Don't drill on thru the part. The rivets are brass so it doesn't take much.
After drilling, use a small punch & something hollow (I used a 3/8 hex nut) for an anvil & use a hammer to drive out the rivets. Clean up the shoes & properly dispose of the old linings.
Dry fit the new linings, starting in the middle & working towards both ends. If you don't have a rivet setting tool, check around local brake shops, or people with old cars like Model T's....they'll have them & maybe will let you borrow one or will set them for you. These shoes are so tiny, not all rivet tools will fit.
Mike Sal
The original linings are molded (probably w/ asbestos) & the ones Wayne sells are woven. The rivets are 9/64 dia. (.140) so use a #27 drill. What your looking for is to just drill off the upset part of the rivet. Don't drill on thru the part. The rivets are brass so it doesn't take much.
After drilling, use a small punch & something hollow (I used a 3/8 hex nut) for an anvil & use a hammer to drive out the rivets. Clean up the shoes & properly dispose of the old linings.
Dry fit the new linings, starting in the middle & working towards both ends. If you don't have a rivet setting tool, check around local brake shops, or people with old cars like Model T's....they'll have them & maybe will let you borrow one or will set them for you. These shoes are so tiny, not all rivet tools will fit.
Mike Sal