Newbie from MI

[ScooterfanRick]

New here from Michigan, thanks for the add! Looking forward to learning a bit about the Simplex brand. We have several Cushmans from a 1937-1965, but recently picked up our first Simplex, a 1960 step-through scooter. In my searches online, I haven’t found much info. I know ours doesn’t have the OEM engine, but it still utilizes the belt drive system. Here are a few photos.





Rick

[kartjockey]

Welcome to the site!

What's under the hood?

[ScooterfanRick]

Welcome to the site!

What's under the hood?

Thank you! Haven’t really looked too closely at it. The gentleman that owned it passed away and his wife didn’t know much about it. Looks like a Predator style engine. We’d like to put an OEM engine back in it.

[kartjockey]

I really like the green.  My name is Tom.  I seldom post on Facebook but that was me that asked about the frame number.

[ScooterfanRick]

I really like the green.  My name is Tom.  I seldom post on Facebook but that was me that asked about the frame number.

Thank you, Tom! Does 22974 sound correct for the frame number? That’s the same number as on the title and it lists it as a 1960 Simplex Servicycle.

[kartjockey]

If that is the case you have launched a pivotable moment in scooter history!  That number suggests almost 5000 units above any others suggesting it to be a built in 1960 and not just re-titled.   Did you find the matching number on the frame bracket I spoke of?

Incidentally,  I have found the scooter frame numbers to be so lightly stamped they are hard to recover through any paint, etc. So you may have to lightly sand that location to retrieve the number.

[kartjockey]

Your frame number would lead us to believe that Simplex was still very active in production deep into 1960.  All of those units would have been a mixture of different models and not just scooters.

I am in Auburn near Bay City/Saginaw area.  Where are you at?

[ScooterfanRick]

If that is the case you have launched a pivotable moment in scooter history!  That number suggests almost 5000 units above any others suggesting it to be a built in 1960 and not just re-titled.   Did you find the matching number on the frame bracket I spoke of?

Incidentally,  I have found the scooter frame numbers to be so lightly stamped they are hard to recover through any paint, etc. So you may have to lightly sand that location to retrieve the number.

😂 I don’t see the number on the frame bracket. I’ll check it out again next time I go to where it’s stored

Edit to reply to your other post. I’m in Canton, but pass through Bay City/Saginaw often on my way to our place at Houghton Lake.

[Ricks]

Tom, I can’t see how that number can be possible. Simplex was running on fumes by 1957, and was only building about 1500 bikes that year and less each successive year.

Now, what I do see as possible is that being the original engine number, without the M prefix and B suffix.

[ScooterfanRick]

Tom, I can’t see how that number can be possible. Simplex was running on fumes by 1957, and was only building about 1500 bikes that year and less each successive year.

Now, what I do see as possible is that being the original engine number, without the M prefix and B suffix.

I’ll look again and see what I can find on the frame. I don’t have the original engine, so can’t check that. Would the title normally have an engine number rather than a frame number?

BTW, thank you for assisting with my site access!

[pd]

Welcome Scooterfanrick .

Nice looking bike .

Pete .

[Ricks]

Tom, I can’t see how that number can be possible. Simplex was running on fumes by 1957, and was only building about 1500 bikes that year and less each successive year.

Now, what I do see as possible is that being the original engine number, without the M prefix and B suffix.

I’ll look again and see what I can find on the frame. I don’t have the original engine, so can’t check that. Would the title normally have an engine number rather than a frame number?

BTW, thank you for assisting with my site access!

You are welcome!

Before 1950 there were no frame numbers on Simplex bikes, so they all used the engine number. Like Tom said, the frame numbers on the scooters are hard to see/find, so that’s why I threw it out there.

[ScooterfanRick]

Tom, I can’t see how that number can be possible. Simplex was running on fumes by 1957, and was only building about 1500 bikes that year and less each successive year.

Now, what I do see as possible is that being the original engine number, without the M prefix and B suffix.

I’ll look again and see what I can find on the frame. I don’t have the original engine, so can’t check that. Would the title normally have an engine number rather than a frame number?

BTW, thank you for assisting with my site access!

You are welcome!

Before 1950 there were no frame numbers on Simplex bikes, so they all used the engine number. Like Tom said, the frame numbers on the scooters are hard to see/find, so that’s why I threw it out there.

Appreciate the info. I’ll try to swing by there tomorrow and take a look.

[kartjockey]

How"s that number comin'?!   Although that number is doubtful only the frame number will truly validate it.  Post pic of frame number!

[ScooterfanRick]

How"s that number comin'?!   Although that number is doubtful only the frame number will truly validate it.  Post pic of frame number!

I don’t see any number. The more I look at pics on this site, the more I think the side panel/seat area was modified on ours and the number no longer exists.