Did It Again

[Stafford]

I understand about tough times Mike.
My father was an abused child and put on the streets at 12 years old.
He had no real contact with any of his family until he was in his thirties.
At 15 he became a Merchant Marine and sailed all over Germany during WW2.
At 25 he mat my mother and stopped sailing and took whatever jobs he could.
At 45 he started his own business and became very successful.
He never forgot those bad times and spent all his free time working to better the lives of others.
He made us kids volunteer in our community and taught us the value of education and hard work.
I will always be thankful for him teaching me those things.
Cheers
Stafford

[simplexguy]

I'm pretty sure your bike is an anniversary model The have that special decal on the front fender and the frames were painted the same color as the tanks and fenders. 1955 I believe,

[Stafford]

Wow.......now that would be cool.
Headed out to the barn now to play a little.
I'll try and get a good picture of it to be posted.
Love finding out the history of things.
Cheers
Stafford

[pd]

"Love finding out the history of things."

Now whodda ever guessed that ? You being an archeologist and all .

I'm not one of those , but I soak up history , without credentials , anyway .

Pete .

[Stafford]

Hi Pd and Simplexguy,
Yea that history thing was pretty funny. Never looked at it that way.
I took a couple shots of the tank and finder graphics.
They are hand painted along with the pinstripes.
The tank is obviously an attempt to reproduce what was original.
I don't know about the finder graphics.
I have not seen that before now.
It would be cool to know the "Grandfather" had something a little special.
I wonder if he knew something about it and that is why he saved it from being scrapped in the sixties.
Anything you guys come up with please let me know.
Enjoy the pics.
Cheers
Stafford

[pd]

Stafford ,

I'm thinking that the fender graphic is an artists rendition of :



Pete .

[pd]

Here's another possibility :

Note the seat decal :



Pete .

[Stafford]

You got it.
Looks very much like the go cart decal.
Who ever did the striping had a great hand and eye for doing detail.

[Mike Sal]

It's possible the S decal (now in paint) was something they borrowed from a go-cart back in the 60's when grandpa did the restoration.

The frame number will help determine if you've got an anniversary model or not.  It's just in front of the crashbars on the bottom of the frame neck.  Don't forget to include the motor number too.
Mike Sal

[oil-lamp]

I like that S decal looks like it should be there. I also like the fact that somebody took the time amd skill to paint the name on the tank. Stafford just be ready for one day I will get mine finished and running and I will be riding by your house.   

[Stafford]

Hi Guys,
Just came in from starting on the Simplex.
The tank is really gunked up.
I've got a feeling the carburetor will be the same.
Mike I tried to send the personal info. and numbers but they bounced back.
Should I not send them out here or is that OK?
And Reese you can always drop by on the Simplex or anything you like.
Cheers

[pd]

"The tank is really gunked up."

What kind of gunk ?

Pete .

[Stafford]

Looks like street tar. They must of stored it with a full tank of gas.
The gas evaporated and left the oil mix, which dried in a mess about 1/2 inch thick.
I'm using a solvent and sheetrock screws to shake around inside to remove it.
The screws work better on rust but what the hack, it's worth a try.
At least there is no rust inside, it never had a chance.
Going to take it one part at a time; next will be the carb.
On another note I read on one of the post that there was someone that was selling handle grips.
If so I could use that info, the ones on the bike need to be replaced.
Cheers

[pd]

Maybe Wayne has OEM type grips

Pete .

[Stafford]

I'll give him a shout..........