Author Topic: Simplex Stretch  (Read 74388 times)

Ricks

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Simplex Stretch
« on: September 23, 2015, 02:50:20 PM »
As I have had a mid 1940's frame sitting around unused for several years, I thought I would start on a stretched bike.  My plan is to simply upscale a stock bike, by extending the down tubes 4", and letting the other tubes find there own length.  What I did is cut the bike into 3 sections, and reassembled it with thick wall tube that I turned down on a lathe to make inserts.  This will enable me to figure out the other lengths of the stretch, and cut extension sections to fit between the cuts.

On with the pictures.  Here is the junk I started with. 
Rick

Ricks

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Re: Simplex Stretch
« Reply #1 on: September 23, 2015, 02:51:26 PM »
Look at the frontend someone hacked up!  They widened it, for reasons unknown.
« Last Edit: September 23, 2015, 02:54:59 PM by RickS »
Rick

Ricks

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Re: Simplex Stretch
« Reply #2 on: September 23, 2015, 02:54:14 PM »
And this is what I came up with.  It is 4" up, about 4.5" on the bottom tubes and 6.75" on the backbone.

This will leave me with almost 18" from the motor plate to the tank mounting crossbar.  For reference, a stock Simplex is 14".
Rick

pd

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Re: Simplex Stretch
« Reply #3 on: September 23, 2015, 03:20:33 PM »
Plenty of room for a BIG motor , Rick . ;)

Pete . :)
Goes around , Comes around . :)

Ricks

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Re: Simplex Stretch
« Reply #4 on: September 23, 2015, 03:41:06 PM »
Plenty of room for a BIG motor , Rick . ;)

Pete . :)

I have not decided on a motor yet, but leaves plenty of room for options.
Rick

kartjockey

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Re: Simplex Stretch
« Reply #5 on: September 23, 2015, 05:16:38 PM »
does it look like you will be adding to forks or changing the rake

Ricks

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Re: Simplex Stretch
« Reply #6 on: September 23, 2015, 05:27:04 PM »
does it look like you will be adding to forks or changing the rake

I will lengthen the forks.  I think the geometry will remain the same as stock.
Rick

Ricks

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Re: Simplex Stretch
« Reply #7 on: September 27, 2015, 01:48:15 PM »
Fitted all the tubes.  Now I need to drill the frame for the plug welds and then I can weld the tubes in.  Only 8 1/2 months to Portland!
Rick

pd

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Re: Simplex Stretch
« Reply #8 on: September 27, 2015, 05:46:41 PM »
I don't know ... Rick ,

That frame is looking a lot like an early '70s chopper . ;)

Pete . :)
Goes around , Comes around . :)

oil-lamp

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Re: Simplex Stretch
« Reply #9 on: September 27, 2015, 09:46:33 PM »
I guess I better get this bike done soon so I can get it painted.  :o

Ricks

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Re: Simplex Stretch
« Reply #10 on: October 01, 2015, 07:05:35 AM »
Cut apart the old, hacked-up front end.  It took a while to cut through and grind off all the bugger welding on it.  Look at the pile of scrape metal left behind.  Why do people do things like this?  LOL   I will be extending the forks 3".
Rick

pd

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Re: Simplex Stretch
« Reply #11 on: October 01, 2015, 07:35:19 AM »
 Looks like some are fairly decent welds , at least .

Pete . :)
« Last Edit: October 01, 2015, 07:37:21 AM by pd »
Goes around , Comes around . :)

Ricks

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Re: Simplex Stretch
« Reply #12 on: October 01, 2015, 07:48:44 AM »
Looks like some are fairly decent welds , at least .

Pete . :)

The welds did not have much penetration, they were mostly just sitting on top of the metal.  But, there were a lot of them!
Rick

pd

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Re: Simplex Stretch
« Reply #13 on: October 01, 2015, 07:54:05 AM »
Ah , the 'a lot of little sticks is as strong as a single big stick' syndrome . ;)

Pete . :)
Goes around , Comes around . :)

kartjockey

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Re: Simplex Stretch
« Reply #14 on: October 06, 2015, 05:36:45 PM »
I have wondered what the holes were for in the rear dropouts!  Now we know!.  In fact, maybe Simplex used them the same way.