footboards

[michael C]

Can anyone tell me the year  simplex stopped using the "dimpeled" footboards? Michael c

[kartjockey]

I think you'll find it was sometime after the 'Automatic' came out. Maybe the middle of 1953.

[michael C]

thanks for the info.  Mine is a non aut5omatic with the round brake pedal.  Will try to get the frame number to narrow it down.

Thank again,

Michael C.

[Ricks]

thanks for the info.  Mine is a non aut5omatic with the round brake pedal.  Will try to get the frame number to narrow it down.

Thank again,

Michael C.

You probably will not find a frame # on it.  I think they went to the flat brake pedal around the same time they started putting frame #'s on.

Rick

[Mike Sal]

Michael, post your engine number too (as there might not be a frame number) so we can add it to the registry.
thanks,
Mike Sal

[michael C]

 My frame no is 05431 Engine no is M18079B.  It has an aluminum cylinder with a compression release installed in the round hole above the exhaust port.

Thanks,

Michael C.

[kartjockey]

Michael C.,  Is this your bike? If there are differences what are they?

[kartjockey]

And do you have a three speed foot shift? (per this brochure)

[Ricks]

Does your bike have the original decal on the gas tank?  I think there is a good chance that it may be a 1952, but with a later engine case with an earlier cylinder.

Tom, what year is that bike depicted?  It has the early tail light, which I think ended in 1949.

Rick

[michael C]

My bike has 3 notch rocker, aluminum clutch pulleys, winged decal on tank with 2 caps.  The seat mounting bar is a straight piece of metal attached under the choke lever running to the seat.  It does not follow the frame lines as on my 1958 auto.  Handlebars are attached like the late Simplex with the 52-53 scalloped sided riser.

Also there is a 3 inch tall key lock where the fork attachment acorn nut should be.

Chrome late modeled wheels.  Definitely a well done old put together.

Thanks guys,

Michael C.

[kartjockey]

No date on this brochure Rick. I am thinking this brochure is of a late 'J'. Or perhaps the 'K' Model.  Trying to fit all these pieces together on Michael's bike. Three notch rocker clutch goes along with a 1952 but the cylinder does not per gary's book. Says the compression relief was dropped on the early 'L' models. It's all a bit confusing because the logo doesn't add up either. Seems to add up to being a 'K' model. (pre July '49). But when did frame #'s begin? And with my above statement the cylinder would be correct but the M block is not. Those months of production were flogged with many changes making for short model runs. How about a pic Michael? Maybe you have already posted one.

[Ricks]

Tom, I agree with everything you said except I don't believe frame #'s came into being until 1951.

We are definitely going to need some pictures!! 

  The dual cap tank didn't appear until 1953, and the frame # is 900 earlier than my 53, but the engine was produced 4000 later.  I wonder if it is a 53 manual shift bike that had an engine failure early in life, and Simplex replaced the motor under warranty?

The 3" tall riser with the key is correct for 52 and 53 models.  I don't know when they stopped using that, may have gone on for a couple more years.

Rick

[kartjockey]

Definitely a bit of a hybrid.  Fun diagnosing it all.

[Mike Sal]

I agree that it's probably a Johny Cash Bike.  It's interesting that it's the first 5,xxx series frame in our registry as well as the first 18,xxx motor number.
Mike Sal

[michael C]

definitely a Johnny Cash but it be fun to restore. Michael c