I thought this was a 1952 but ?

[Vince]

I have what I thought was a 1952 Simplex (based on what appeared to be the original tank decals) but the other characteristics of the bike and the engine number appear to make the bike much older. The engine number is H4390. It is a push start and the handlebar's are the gooseneck style. The rims are similar to my 47 model and are not the wider version that I have on my 52 and 57 bikes. There is no frame number that I can find. Are there other characteristics that I could look for that would help identify the year.

Thank, Vince

[Ricks]

Vince, post some pictures!  What style gas tank?  What type of front fender braces? Where is the kickstand located? Are the floorboards rounded or octogonal?

[Vince]

Here are a couple photos...

[Vince]

Here are some more

[Vince]

Rick,

Hopefully the photos will answer your questions. The tank is a single fill (screw in type) with the cap located on the right hand side. The floorboards are "rounded" and the kick stand is located rearward toward the vertical support and not beneath the floorboard as found on later models. The fender braces are not the rounded style like those on the later models.

Thanks again, Vince

[kartjockey]

I would have to think the decal is wrong as more of this bike lines up with earlier models.  Take a look at the 1945 'H' manual posted in the manual section.

[Ricks]

Vince, my vote is it is a 1946 model. I base this on two things. First, the air cleaner.  The tall air cleaner was used in 1946, and changed to a short style in 1947. The second thing is, and I'm not as sure about this, in 1945 the throttle was on the left and compression release on the right side.  In 1946, the throttle returned to the right and compression release to the left.  Which do you have?

[Vince]

Rick,

The throttle is on the right and the compression release is on the left.

What about the engine number? Using Mike's registry are we able to pinpoint the engine year?

Vince

[Ricks]

Not many early bikes in the registry yet. One reference I have says they built about 15,000 model H bikes.  I would guess the engine is original to the bike and is a very early 1946.

[Mike Sal]

I agree this is an early bike (Rick, did you notice the very early style front forks without the lower spring support plate?).  Glad to see it's in good condition.  That tank decal was definitely added some time later (it appears to be old.....maybe the owner wanted to make the bike look "newer" by adding a "new for '52" decal.....I have  '55 Ford 960 tractor that is blue & gray (it should be red & gray).  The owner's son overhauled it in the early 60's & he wanted to make the tractor look newer by using the blue color which Ford had just introduced about that time).
Mike Sal

[Ricks]

I agree this is an early bike (Rick, did you notice the very early style front forks without the lower spring support plate?).  Glad to see it's in good condition.  That tank decal was definitely added some time later (it appears to be old.....maybe the owner wanted to make the bike look "newer" by adding a "new for '52" decal.....I have  '55 Ford 960 tractor that is blue & gray (it should be red & gray).  The owner's son overhauled it in the early 60's & he wanted to make the tractor look newer by using the blue color which Ford had just introduced about that time).
Mike Sal

Mike, I did not.  Good catch!

[Vince]

 It sounds like you guys have been able to narrow it down to more than likely a 1946 model. Was the 47 model the first of the kick start models?

[admin]

It sounds like you guys have been able to narrow it down to more than likely a 1946 model. Was the 47 model the first of the kick start models?

Yes, and they came out with a bolt on retrofit kit for earlier models at the same time.