1940s servi-cycle dating

[henrylr]

Hi all,

I have a 1940s servi-cycle. My uncle bought it new, gave it to my father around 1950 and he gave it to me in 59, when I was 12. I rode it for about 3 years then took the clutch and engine off the frame. I planned to clean and lube everything and replace piston rings. At that time I sanded and spray painted everything with black primer… it still looks good…no rust., but never put it back together

I never got back to it and want to sell it. All parts are original. Crankcase is stamped G1244. The carburetor is a Tillotson MS93E. I have the original Operation and Maintenance manual which is in very good condition and dated 1946. The gas tank has the filler cap in the middle between the frame bars. It doesn't have a kick starter. Does anyone have an idea of year made?

Thanks,
henrylr

[Ricks]

Post a couple of pictures and I'm sure we can help out.  Were do you live, as this frequently determines if someone is close enough for pickup?

Rick

[ndian22]

Welcome Henry, I'm the one who gave you directions to our site from the Motor bicycling forum. There is a lot of specialized information and help available here for the Simplex owner and enthusiasts.  Rick C.

[henrylr]

Welcome Henry, I'm the one who gave you directions to our site from the Motor bicycling forum.

Thanks Rick C. I will take some pics of the bike soon. Here are pics of the manual, dated 1946, It's in great condition except for the shrunken plastic binding. It cannot be opened without potential damage to pages. I'm planning to carefully remove the old comb binding and replace it with new, same color, comb binding. Any downsides to doing that? This is a question to all members.

Thanks,
henrylr

[Ricks]

Henry, I don't think replacing the binding will hurt the value.  They usually go for between $40-80 on eBay, so I wouldn't worry too much.

I checked out your website, and you say you are on the east coast, but where?

[henrylr]

I checked out your website, and you say you are on the east coast, but where?
[/quote]
I'm in Newington, Ct

[henrylr]

I just cut away all the shrunken binding. I feel like that was a good step in saving the old manual. I'm going to bind it with thick yarn until I get it rebound with plastic comb binding. What a relief. All pages ,front and back, are in great shape.

[henrylr]

Am I mentioned, I disassembled it around 1963. The frame, gas tank, wheels and rear fender have been as one since about 1960. I'm going to mount everything except the motor and then will post pics. It has the older style handle bars without twist grips. That's why I think it may be from 40 or 42. I'll check the rear brake to see if it is stamped steel or cast iron. Will that narrow down year made?

Thanks,
henrylr

[henrylr]

Am I mentioned, I disassembled it around 1963.
Thanks,
henrylr

I cleaned it up a bit...not ready for pics yet. But it has the flat bars for seat mast and where the clutch mounts. The clutch pedal has only one round pad for the front of the left foot. It has front and rear brakes and they are not cast iron. The upright that the handle bar mounts to is marked Pat No. 99301. maybe this info will help date it.

Thanks,
henrylr

[kartjockey]

Can't wait to see the handlebars and controls!. Henry,  I have several early brochures and may be able to help narrow down the year through them. 

[henrylr]

Am I mentioned, I disassembled it around 1963. It has the older style handle bars without twist grips. That's why I think it may be from 40 or 42. I'll check the rear brake to see if it is stamped steel or cast iron. Will that narrow down year made?

Thanks,
henrylr

I have to mention that Bill Erickson has been very helpful. We have emailed back and forth a few times and I sent him info that crankcase is stamped G1244. Based on that he thinks it might be a 41 or 42.

[Ricks]

I personally think it is a 1941, but these are very hard to date, especially the early models.  I wonder how many bikes Simplex put out in 1942, as the war effort did not allow much left over for public consumption.  I can't wait to se some pictures.

[henrylr]

I personally think it is a 1941, but these are very hard to date, especially the early models. 

I searched the patent no 99301 on the upright that the handle bar mounts into. US patent 99301 is for a meat chopper dated 1870. Any thoughts on this?

Thanks,
henrylr

[rldebuse]

Note that the Model G was made from April 1940 to December 1944.  With known serial numbers exceeding 5000, it's likely this bike is a late 1940.  There are brochures and manuals posted for this model.  Does it have a clutch?

[henrylr]

It has a clutch, on the left, with just a round pad for front of left foot. I'll be posting pics soon.