Rick I seem to remember reading that Corky Coker bought the actual Simplex tire dies for his "reproductions" if so he might have copyright protection as well on the Servi-Cycle & Simplex tire "branding" but not on the tread design, just the product branding. Your Cokers prove the point well, they are great reproductions.
If you locate a frame that could be a donor let me know. Basket case preferred as the only area I'm concerned with is the "steerer" section & a few inches of upper and lower tubes need to be in excellent condition as well as the axle drops. I really don't want to destroy a good frame & won't. If I find a good one I'll give you a shot at it.
I would sell the wheels but not actively trying to sell anything, but they are here & no hurry...make an offer or trade? Rick C.
Rick, I don't think Corky bought the original dies. The reason I say this is because 3 gentlemen put up the money to have the dies made for the reproduction tires. As I understand it, Coker gave them a discount on the tires when they were first made, but no longer. As a matter of fact, 2 of the 3 are no longer with us.
As for copyrights, I have no idea. I have discussed this with Wayne in the past, but his lawyer didn't believe there were any on Simplex at all. In the mid 1960's, Simplex minibikes and Go Karts were sold under the Valiant Manufacturing name. Treen sold the company in 1972 and they went out of business in 1975.
