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Topics - Mike Sal

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61
Engine & Transmission / Idler Pulley
« on: March 17, 2012, 06:49:12 PM »
I pulled the idler pully & bracket from the box-o-parts to clean & re-paint (forgot to send the bracket to the powdercoater), & when taking the pulley off, I noticed that something foul was afoot.  Half of the original mounting bolt has been turned down to 3/8 diameter & then threaded again to accept a pulley with a 3/8 hole thru it.  The pulley is the 2pc sheetmetal type & is 2.75 diameter.  Is this the right size pulley, or somthing the previous owner cobbled on?
Mike Sal

62
Wheels & Tires / Wheel Paint
« on: March 13, 2012, 08:06:32 PM »
When I dropped off the frame & parts at the powder coater today, I had them look at the rims to see if they could match the original color (a little more yellow toned than the cream color they had been re-painted).  He didn't have anything close, & didn't want to order a whole bottle of paint for such a small job.  This means I'm probably looking at a spray bomb or having a local body shop mix up some paint.

What's everyone else been using for rims & hubs.  This summer when several of us are together at Portland, I'd like us to match as much as possible (having 5 different shades of ivory on 5 different bikes doesn't sound very good).
Mike Sal

63
Frame, Tank, Seat, Controls, Etc / Throttle Control
« on: March 11, 2012, 05:36:30 PM »
Worked most of the weekend on the garage project.  My back is killin' me.....It started to rain, so I packed up that project (only to see it stop after just a sprinkle.....cost me 3 hours of work time.....)

Anyway, took some time to finish the dissassembly of the frame (getting that cotter pin out of the kick stand bolt was a pain) & handlebar.  What holds the inner piece (# 765 "insert") in the handle bar?  Mine dosn't seem to want to pull out.  Do I have to remove the long screw (#766 "Clamping washer, screw & lockwasher")?  Also, the manual shows a piece that my bike doesn't have (#770 "reinforcing insert").  Should I have this piece, or is it something that got eliminated in later models?
Mike Sal

64
Other Simplexes, such as Sportsman Senior & Jr, scooter / Event for Trikes
« on: March 08, 2012, 08:15:48 PM »
Just saw a posting about a special invitation going out to 3 wheeled servi-cycles (any brand)  to attend the d'Elegance show on 29 July this year in Plymouth, Michigan. 
Mike Sal

65
Frame, Tank, Seat, Controls, Etc / Brakes
« on: March 08, 2012, 04:40:57 PM »
Thought I'd start a separate thread for brake related items, as we've had some related things in some of the others which might be hard to find one of these days.

Anyway, Does the brake pedal rubber pad that Wayne sells match the originals, or is it just similar?  I got a very good quote by a local outfit to soda blast & powdercoat my frame & other black stuff, but the original brake pad is so hardened, I'd never get it off without tearing it up.
Mike Sal

66
Brochures and other Literature / 1956 Simplex Article on ebay
« on: March 06, 2012, 10:39:57 AM »
Anyone notice that the bike in that article has the key switch in the head light & a winged decal on the handlebar mounting plate?  I wonder what years they used the switch in the light bucket, vs the the tall post, vs the key in the mounting plate?

How about that decal.  Think a lot of bikes had those, or maybe this was one that was dolled up for the magazine staff to review?
Mike Sal

67
Brochures and other Literature / 1957 Cycle Magazine Ad
« on: March 05, 2012, 03:30:39 PM »
I had a weak moment & bought this ad, cut from a cycle magazine, from ebay.  It's marked as '57, & the verbage sorta confirms it, but the bike has the Wico Magneto.  The ad department probably just used an already available photo.
Mike Sal

68
Buy, Sell, Trade / Simplex in Walneck's
« on: March 04, 2012, 08:20:47 PM »
There's a '47 for sale on Walnecks site right now.  Got lots of custom parts (the seat rails are a sight) & asking $5800.
Mike Sal

69
Engine & Transmission / Engine....Cleaning the Castings
« on: March 01, 2012, 10:47:52 AM »
Those of you with beautiful restorations......what did you use to clean the crank case & cylinder jug?  Mine has that dull splotchy look that aluminum gets as it ages in the weather (but it doesn't have any white corrosion).  In looking at Rick's restoration of his crank case, it looks like new.  I don't see evidence of shot blasting or wire wheel abrasion (both of which I'd rather avoid).
thanks,
Mike Sal

70
Frame, Tank, Seat, Controls, Etc / Fender restoration
« on: February 28, 2012, 08:06:18 PM »
Pulled the fenders off the bike this evening (needed some relax time.....spent the last 2 days tearing down an old hog barn & burning it.....I'm worn to a frazzle).  I found a small amount of bondo in the front of the front fender from some minor dents that weren't worked out very well, and a stress crack on the back fender where the single bolt holds it to the frame at the front.  I'll try to get the paint stripped off & repairs made.

I got to thinking that my gas tank is supposed to be finished tomorrow, so it'll need repainted, so I'd better get on the stick to get the fenders ready so they can all be painted at the same time.

What paint did most ofyou use on your tanks & fenders?  What attaching hardware did you use?  Mine has those shallow slightly rounded head screws with no washers. 
Mike Sal

71
Brochures and other Literature / 1995 Convention T-shirt
« on: February 28, 2012, 10:30:02 AM »
Here's an image of one of the T-shirts Adam Wollard sent me that his father had made for the convention he organized back in '95.  I plan to have some of these shirts available at the VMBC convention this summer.  He also had some shirts with the same graphics as the advertizing poster for the event (I sent a copy to Rick & hopefully he'll be able to post it).

As the date gets closer, I'll put out a blurb about availability.  Any profits will be funneled to the website/webmaster fund.
Mike Sal


72
Other Things Simplex / Title Issues
« on: February 22, 2012, 03:29:54 PM »
My bike didn't have a title.  I've got a notorized bill of sale & thought it wouldn't be much hassle to get one.......

The state of Illinois wants a notorized appraisal (there's nobody in this neck of the woods that will provide this service for me) as well as a bond.

I thought I'd use one of those title services, as some of the model T guys said they had luck with them.  First I started to try International Title Service, in Nevada.  I couldn't get anybody to answer the phone....then found a boatload of complaints about them on youtube. 

Then I tried Clark County Liens, who did answer the phone, but isn't sure if Nevada will issue a title to a vehicle with such a short VIN number.  He's going to call me back in a few days after he checks it out.  Cost would be $400.00  WOW......

Maybe I'd be better off just going thru Illinois......if I can find somebody to give me an appraisal......I'm sure I'll have to stick the bike back together before they can do that......It's always something......

How have the rest of you handled lost titles?
Mike Sal

73
Other Things Simplex / Membership Trivia
« on: February 22, 2012, 10:57:33 AM »
I've reviewed the membership pages & divided them into two catagories....those who've posted 4 or more messages, and those with 3 or less:

In 2011, 54 people signed up, but only 23 were very chatty (22 never posted at all).

So far in 2012, 31 people have signed up, but only 9 have posted many messages (21 haven't posted anything).

A review of the Vintage Motor Bike Club's roster revealed 43 people who say they have a Simplex, none of which are signed up on this website (as far as I can tell....besides me (and possibly ricks)).

Not sure why things are so quiet.....
Mike Sal

74
Engine & Transmission / Automatic Transmission
« on: February 19, 2012, 03:17:15 PM »
I went ahead & pulled the tranny off & apart today (still haven't received my parts from Wayne....been over a week....I'll try to call again tomorrow)

It's built quite a bit different than the one soon in the manuals posted on the site, as well as those shown in Rick's restoration photos.  The 2 governor weights are larger & solid steel & ride in 2 full length "cam guide" brackets instead of two smaller parts.  Also, they used bushings instead of bearings for the clutch hub.

The "fixed" side of the variable pulley (on the output pulley) didn't want to come off the "shaft" after I removed the spiral snap ring & it didn't want to come when I pushed on it a little bit with the hydraulic press.  I was afraid of breaking it, so I stopped.  Whats the secret of getting it off?  I'd like to polish the shaft that the moveable part of the pulley rides on.
Mike Sal

75
Frame, Tank, Seat, Controls, Etc / Tank Decals
« on: February 19, 2012, 09:28:06 AM »
Anyone notice the logo decals on ebay?  They say they're made of vinyl.  Is this what is used for the actual tank decals?  I wouldn't think that vinyl would stand up to getting gas spilled on it.
Mike Sal

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