Author Topic: PROJECT SIMPLEX  (Read 11945 times)

WillH

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PROJECT SIMPLEX
« on: March 07, 2014, 12:33:27 PM »
Hauled my Simplex project home last night. It's represented as a '54, serial #17373 as near as I can tell (it's pitted in this area, so not positive). I've got it scattered in pieces after a mornings effort. Spokes are tight, wheels run true, rims: little or no pitting; good sheave; right side fill tank with original paint/decal; no rust in or out but I think wrong tank for the year. Original leather seat with winged Servi Cycle logo embossed (slightly smaller seat than the automatics I've seen; bolts permanently installed before cover). Front fork is descent shape; frame has some damage but repairable (really rather have a better one). All it needs is a little TLC!

Will  
 
« Last Edit: March 07, 2014, 12:51:19 PM by WillH »

Ricks

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Re: PROJECT SIMPLEX
« Reply #1 on: March 07, 2014, 12:50:58 PM »
Come on Will, no holding out, Post some pictures!
Rick

Gramps

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Re: PROJECT SIMPLEX
« Reply #2 on: March 07, 2014, 01:07:33 PM »
My 56 frame number is 10299 so yours should be laterer than a 56
Anytime you have a 50-50 chance of getting something right,
There's a 90% probability you'll get it wrong.

Ricks

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Re: PROJECT SIMPLEX
« Reply #3 on: March 07, 2014, 01:14:10 PM »
With that frame number, I would say it is a 1959.
Rick

Gramps

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Re: PROJECT SIMPLEX
« Reply #4 on: March 07, 2014, 01:20:26 PM »
I just noticed your handle bar mount has straight sides.
That would indicate it is later than 1954.
Anytime you have a 50-50 chance of getting something right,
There's a 90% probability you'll get it wrong.

WillH

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Re: PROJECT SIMPLEX
« Reply #5 on: March 07, 2014, 01:33:01 PM »
Brake light switch is below the frame rail.

WillH

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Re: PROJECT SIMPLEX
« Reply #6 on: March 07, 2014, 01:41:12 PM »
Check out the seat; same basic shape as the later seat only smaller. What year is it?

Ricks

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Re: PROJECT SIMPLEX
« Reply #7 on: March 07, 2014, 02:39:41 PM »
Check out the seat; same basic shape as the later seat only smaller. What year is it?

Post a picture of the back of it.
Rick

WillH

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Re: PROJECT SIMPLEX
« Reply #8 on: March 07, 2014, 03:04:18 PM »
Here's the back side; mounting bolts were installed before the cover and staked in place.

Ricks

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Re: PROJECT SIMPLEX
« Reply #9 on: March 07, 2014, 03:11:41 PM »
That's interesting.  I have never seen one like that.  Maybe an early seat?
Rick

WillH

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Re: PROJECT SIMPLEX
« Reply #10 on: March 07, 2014, 03:38:49 PM »
Bolts protrude approximately 3/4" so no room for spacers.

Will

pd

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Re: PROJECT SIMPLEX
« Reply #11 on: March 07, 2014, 04:03:14 PM »
Maybe just my imagination , but it looks like your seat has a belly where mine is dished at the front .

http://www.simplexservi-cycle.com/index.php?action=attach;topic=956.0;attach=5232.jpg

« Last Edit: November 26, 2022, 08:09:26 AM by pd »
Goes around , Comes around . :)

WillH

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Re: PROJECT SIMPLEX
« Reply #12 on: March 07, 2014, 04:17:13 PM »
It's just the picture. My seat is just a smaller version of the late one.

Will

Ricks

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Re: PROJECT SIMPLEX
« Reply #13 on: March 07, 2014, 04:43:28 PM »
How much smaller is the seat?  According to Wollard's book, they went to the large seat in 1939, and added the wing logo around the same time.  The early seats were made by either Messenger or Troxel.
Rick

WillH

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Re: PROJECT SIMPLEX
« Reply #14 on: March 07, 2014, 04:51:05 PM »
I don't currently have the larger seat to compare with. This seat measures approx. 12 1/2" by 12 1/2", widest by longest.

It's a nice enough looking seat and I wouldn't mind the smaller size but I doubt the leather would hold up too well with a bit of riding. It would probably be best as a display for a collector of original pieces.

Will
« Last Edit: March 07, 2014, 04:54:57 PM by WillH »