1947/48 simplex for sale.

[Jmftattoo]

Bike has sold.

[Ricks]

That's not a 1948 frame.  At the earliest, it is a 1953.  Post a couple of additional pictures please.  Look under the neck, there will be a frame number.  What is the engine number?

Thanks.

[Jmftattoo]

heres a pic of motor number and frame number.

[Jmftattoo]

ok so i looked at the registry and these numbers seem to fit in with 1948ish motor and 1954 frame? either way i want to get it out of my garage. so if anyone is interested text me at 702-328-9316 - James

[Ricks]

If I was close, I would be all over it.  One of the West Coast guys should jump on it.

[Eitek1]

Hmmmm... That's pretty tempting. could you post some pics of what it looks like as it sits? All of it?

Rick, what were the production numbers like per year? That sounds like around 200 a year. Is that right?

[kartjockey]

seems like a different place for the motor number to be stamped. Instead of up by cylinder studs

[Ricks]

Hmmmm... That's pretty tempting. could you post some pics of what it looks like as it sits? All of it?

Rick, what were the production numbers like per year? That sounds like around 200 a year. Is that right?

I don't know what the exact production numbers were, but during the Automatic era, 2000-3000 per year is in the ballpark.  After 1958, it looks like sales really went into the tank, and by 1960 production was down to only a couple hundred for the year.

I have some literature that indicates 1948 was Simplex's biggest sales year, with around 6100 bikes produced.

[pd]

seems like a different place for the motor number to be stamped. Instead of up by cylinder studs

Tom ,

That number is stamped in the same area as my '57 . Seems the only logical place to put it , as there isn't much room by the cylinder studs .

Pete .

[Ricks]

seems like a different place for the motor number to be stamped. Instead of up by cylinder studs

Tom ,

That number is stamped in the same area as my '57 . Seems the only logical place to put it , as there isn't much room by the cylinder studs .

Pete .

Engine numbers were stamped just under the cylinder up until the Early L engines, then changed to the bottom of the block.

[pd]

Learn something 'new' , every day .

Thanks for the enlightenment , Rick .

Pete .

[Ricks]

Here is a picture Pete.

[pd]

Thanks , Rick .

Definite block design difference .
 Looks like everything was 'heavier' . Maybe it's just the rougher 'finish' that makes it seem heavier .
 
Pete .

[Ricks]

Thanks , Rick .

Definite block design difference .
 Looks like everything was 'heavier' . Maybe it's just the rougher 'finish' that makes it seem heavier .
 
Pete .

Block was smaller, and made of Zinc, if I remember correctly.  Later blocks are aluminum.

[pd]

You're right . Zinc . The aluminum block started with the L model .
I just read that on the model differences 'chart' .

I'd guess that there wasn't any real set time when they started stamping motor numbers lower on the block .
Maybe there was and we just haven't discovered or realized it , yet .

Pete .