handle bars

[sauley]

HEY Guys, Can anyone out there tell me what year Simplex change from the bicycle type handlebar to the 4 bolt to a anchor plate hookup.........I thought i had a 48 but a seen a picture of a 48 and it had the bicycle type hookup......

[hardhead]

I was wondering the same thing, my 54 came with bicycle type bars. Would this be right. Tom

[pd]

I suppose any Simplex could be fit with a bicycle handlebar stem and bars .

Just that the fork stem and upper legs should be connected with some sort of plate .

As to which year Simplex made the switch , exactly , I'm not sure . I think '49 .

[Ricks]

PD is correct.  The flat plate was first used on the 1949 Model K.  This was used until the end of servi-cycle production in 1960.  Interestingly enough, the Simplex Scooter that was built from 1957-1959 used a bicycle style gooseneck.

[pd]

"Interestingly enough, the Simplex Scooter that was built from 1957-1959 used a bicycle style gooseneck."

They probably had a bunch of parts left from the pre '49 bikes .

Pete .

[sauley]

HEY Guys, Can anyone out there tell me what year Simplex change from the bicycle type handlebar to the 4 bolt to a anchor plate hookup.........I thought i had a 48 but a seen a picture of a 48 and it had the bicycle type hookup..................Thanks Guys........I now have a 49 instead of a 48.........lol

[Ricks]

Post some pictures of the bike!  Give us the engine number and we can narrow down the year.

[Mike Sal]

Also, prior to '55, the mounting plate had curved sides.  Either at the beginning of the year, or a running change, they went to a straight sided plate.  I think the tool broke & it was cheaper to repair it by eliminating the curves (on some plates you can still see an impression of where the curved edge used to be).
Mike Sal

[sauley]

The bike is all apart...with no engine and no serial number on the frame........i will post a pic in a few months when the bike is complete

[pd]

The bike is all apart...with no engine and no serial number on the frame........i will post a pic in a few months when the bike is complete

Why not post a build thread . We really do like to watch , learn and help along the way . And besides , we love the pics .

Pete .

[Ricks]

The bike is all apart...with no engine and no serial number on the frame........i will post a pic in a few months when the bike is complete

Why not post a build thread . We really do like to watch , learn and help along the way . And besides , we love the pics .

Pete .

Agreed!  I have done 2 builds that I took the time to document here to help others, and I will be doing another on the Sportsman soon!