General Category => Introductions => Topic started by: 1953servi on December 16, 2017, 06:51:54 PM

Title: New member in Phoenix
Post by: 1953servi on December 16, 2017, 06:51:54 PM
Hi,
I’m Paul. Just got a 53 automatic
Title: Re: New member in Phoenix
Post by: 1953servi on December 16, 2017, 06:53:04 PM
Pic
Title: Re: New member in Phoenix
Post by: 1953servi on December 16, 2017, 06:54:26 PM
Honda motored tho
Title: Re: New member in Phoenix
Post by: carryall on December 17, 2017, 05:34:59 AM
Honda powered or not, it runs and is fun to drive.  After all is said and done, that's what counts!
Title: Re: New member in Phoenix
Post by: Ricks on December 17, 2017, 05:41:01 AM
Judging by the handlebar plate, that is not a 1953, but likely 1956 or later. What is the frame number? 

That rear fender and light cowling do not look Simplex to me either.  Post a couple more pictures so we can see the rest. 

Whether Simplex powered or other, it doesn't matter around here, they are all fun!  Welcome aboard!
Title: Re: New member in Phoenix
Post by: pd on December 17, 2017, 06:35:35 AM
Welcome Paul . :)

Nice bike . Kinda flashy , that red . ;)

Frame # would help :

(https://s26.postimg.org/teznnbtpl/d2259b66-aaac-4d9c-b103-4fd7ce8659f1_zpsxo0z8qhy.jpg)

Pete . :)
Title: Re: New member in Phoenix
Post by: ndian22 on December 17, 2017, 03:10:41 PM
Great bike! Welcome.  Rick C.
Title: Re: New member in Phoenix
Post by: 1953servi on December 17, 2017, 03:37:50 PM
Judging by the handlebar plate, that is not a 1953, but likely 1956 or later. What is the frame number? 

That rear fender and light cowling do not look Simplex to me either.  Post a couple more pictures so we can see the rest. 

Whether Simplex powered or other, it doesn't matter around here, they are all fun!  Welcome aboard!

 Well that’s what the guy told me, ‘53. He said there were no numbers on the frame, but, after looking at the frame thanks to that picture with the arrows, there are numbers there. Starts off with 097 I believe, will have to get a better look.
Title: Re: New member in Phoenix
Post by: 1953servi on December 17, 2017, 03:39:05 PM
Another look
Title: Re: New member in Phoenix
Post by: OnaWingandaPrayer on December 17, 2017, 03:53:00 PM
Welcome to the Simplex family. Great looking bike no matter what the power source is. Visit often and enjoy the rides.
Title: Re: New member in Phoenix
Post by: Ricks on December 17, 2017, 06:00:45 PM
097 starting number would put you well into the 1955 model year.  Take a couple of closer pictures of the rear fender and light when you get a chance.
Title: Re: New member in Phoenix
Post by: 1953servi on December 18, 2017, 11:15:24 AM
My pictures are always too large... here another pic.
Title: Re: New member in Phoenix
Post by: 1953servi on December 18, 2017, 11:16:57 AM
seems its been to portland- so maybe you guys have seen her before.
Title: Re: New member in Phoenix
Post by: Ricks on December 18, 2017, 11:30:33 AM
That bike also has a clamp wheel sheave.  These started later, I believe sometime during the 1955 model year.  If you ever have to remove and replace one, they take about 1 minute, whereas the early style bolt on sheave takes the better part of 1/2 hour.
Title: Re: New member in Phoenix
Post by: 1953servi on December 18, 2017, 11:31:30 AM
also, question for you guys. Is the front rim supposed to be skinny and fat rim in back, like mine.. or is it some replacement someone has put on there?
Title: Re: New member in Phoenix
Post by: Ricks on December 18, 2017, 11:54:42 AM
also, question for you guys. Is the front rim supposed to be skinny and fat rim in back, like mine.. or is it some replacement someone has put on there?

No, they should both be the 2" wide rim.  The front rim might be a Worksman rim laced to a Simplex hub.

Are the fenders fiberglass, by any chance?  They look like the fenders the Cubine brothers made years ago when they were building reproduction bikes.
Title: Re: New member in Phoenix
Post by: 1953servi on December 18, 2017, 11:59:35 AM
No, they are metal. I bought from a guy named Tom, here in AZ, he said it was from luke air-force base here in phoenix.
Title: Re: New member in Phoenix
Post by: 1953servi on December 18, 2017, 01:42:55 PM
Also, if anyone can tell me what motor exactly mine has? He said its a honda and it does have elec. start.
Title: Re: New member in Phoenix
Post by: Ricks on December 18, 2017, 02:43:41 PM
Also, if anyone can tell me what motor exactly mine has? He said its a honda and it does have elec. start.

Looks like a Honda GX200, but there are ton of knockoffs.  The knockoffs are known as clone motors. Many parts are available for these.  Does the motor have Honda anywhere on it? I think they press “Honda” into the valve cover on the real deal.
Title: Re: New member in Phoenix
Post by: 1953servi on December 18, 2017, 04:27:09 PM
Ok, so the frame number is 09720. Off to check for Honda stamping son the motor. One thing I noticed is that the key for the transmission keeps sliding out into the cover, have to check that as well.
Title: Re: New member in Phoenix
Post by: pd on December 18, 2017, 05:13:10 PM
Ok, so the frame number is 09720. Off to check for Honda stamping son the motor. One thing I noticed is that the key for the transmission keeps sliding out into the cover, have to check that as well.

Like Rick stated , your frame is a 1955 . That , according to our latest registry .

As for the key movement , maybe a drop of super glue might help . If it ever has to be removed , apply high heat .
Or , you could take things apart and wrap the key with aluminum foil and re-install .
Or , you might simply place the key where it's suppose to be and center punch along the key-way to slightly narrow it .
Any of those^ should keep the key from wandering .

Let us know what you end up doing .

Pete . :)
Title: Re: New member in Phoenix
Post by: 1953servi on December 19, 2017, 06:11:33 AM
Well I wonder if I could change my username then...

I wrapped the key with a lil Teflon tape and left it protruding just a tad so I could later grab onto it. Seems to be working.
Title: Re: New member in Phoenix
Post by: pd on December 19, 2017, 06:49:42 AM
Well I wonder if I could change my username then...

I wrapped the key with a lil Teflon tape and left it protruding just a tad so I could later grab onto it. Seems to be working.

Rick might have the answer to your user name question .

And , I'm not sure how well Teflon will wear . I have to wonder why there is no side pressure on that key . Is there a set screw or the like holding that portion in place ?

Pete . :)
Title: Re: New member in Phoenix
Post by: Ricks on December 19, 2017, 07:00:48 AM
Well I wonder if I could change my username then...

I wrapped the key with a lil Teflon tape and left it protruding just a tad so I could later grab onto it. Seems to be working.

I can't change your name without you starting a new account.  If you do that, what you posted now will be lost.
Title: Re: New member in Phoenix
Post by: pd on December 19, 2017, 08:31:20 AM
Ha . Just because the frame might be a '55 doesn't mean the rest of the bike is .

Maybe you're simply looking at that 9 upside down . ;)

I wouldn't worry much about your user name .


Pete . :)
Title: Re: New member in Phoenix
Post by: carryall on December 19, 2017, 09:23:25 AM
If  you can't find a oversized key, you could make one.  A little silver solder or even a bit of brazing rod would do the trick with a little sanding to fit.  I've even used thin brass shim stock and "tapped" the key down in the groove to keep it in place.
Title: Re: New member in Phoenix
Post by: 1953servi on December 19, 2017, 10:21:16 AM
Yeah I wonder why it has no side pressure to hold it in? maybe its rusted together, and thats holding it
Title: Re: New member in Phoenix
Post by: 1953servi on January 11, 2018, 09:46:51 AM
Has anyone ever seen this with the front wheel, to left you see a normal centered tire and on the right is slightly exagerated form of whats going on with my front end. seems the right rocker is sitting a lil bit lower and causing this problem. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks
Title: Re: New member in Phoenix
Post by: pd on January 11, 2018, 10:05:47 AM
Maybe a fork tube or springer arm is slightly bent ?

Pete . :)

Title: Re: New member in Phoenix
Post by: Ricks on January 11, 2018, 10:49:48 AM
Possibly broken spring?
Title: Re: New member in Phoenix
Post by: pd on January 11, 2018, 11:02:51 AM
Could be a bent axle .

Pete . :)
Title: Re: New member in Phoenix
Post by: 1953servi on January 24, 2018, 10:47:01 AM
Thanks for the tips, I will have somethings to check.
Title: Re: New member in Phoenix
Post by: pd on January 24, 2018, 12:11:21 PM
Thanks for the tips, I will have somethings to check.

Please let us know what the problem was and , of course , the fix .

Pete . :)