Old Guys Simplex moto-peddle bike
- Thread starter indian22
- Start date
The 1" DOM came in 40 feet delivered (ordered 20') I guess you order what you want and get what they send! No harm I'll use it for something. The 10' stick of 1.5" exhaust tubing also in this am.
All rough trimming of the frame is done, no more crash bars, foot pads, motor mount plate, kick stand, control mounts, rear triangle gusset tube, or lower gas tank supports left in the way...not much left except the damaged lower tubes which will have to be replaced any way. Little Simplex Cajun Gator is really getting chopped! Lot of parts in but many more on the way. 3 point hub adaptor came in with a 44 tooth sprocket. I decided to match that with a 13 tooth engine sprocket...3.38 ratio with 26" wheel combination & 5 speeds should work & before anyone comments on strength of old steel it will be lighter than it was in 1957 with more reinforcement. Apologies for the bad picture quality... camera battery went dead on me. Rick C.
All rough trimming of the frame is done, no more crash bars, foot pads, motor mount plate, kick stand, control mounts, rear triangle gusset tube, or lower gas tank supports left in the way...not much left except the damaged lower tubes which will have to be replaced any way. Little Simplex Cajun Gator is really getting chopped! Lot of parts in but many more on the way. 3 point hub adaptor came in with a 44 tooth sprocket. I decided to match that with a 13 tooth engine sprocket...3.38 ratio with 26" wheel combination & 5 speeds should work & before anyone comments on strength of old steel it will be lighter than it was in 1957 with more reinforcement. Apologies for the bad picture quality... camera battery went dead on me. Rick C.
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Ludwig there is a difference in centering, balance & alignment & I thank you for answering the centering and balance segment of the equation...alignment issues starboard to port for balance will certainly move the jug off frame center. The sprockets alignment quite likely will require a jack shaft arrangement, which shouldn't pose much of a problem. Rick C.
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Hey,Indian22 Any chance this guy you mentioned from Michigan? Right now on E-Bay is a 1948 for sell $4100 Only 2 days left.l try to post a pic. looks like another Blue one!!
Hey,Indian22 Right now on E-Bay is a 1948 for sell $4100 Only 2 days left.l try to post a pic. looks like another Blue one!!
Ok,Here they are as promised This one is a 48 & has a award of it from 2005 also. Enjoy the picture show! This bike might not be on E- Bay as I post these pics? Later DOC
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I ran across a frame builder that if you haven't checked out already a visit to their website is worth the time. www.phoenixbikeworksinc.com Whizzer guys especially. The frame is similar to the original Simplex but has a pedal bracket, similar to what I've planned for my Simplex moped build, which the Simplex Servi-cycle never had. If any of you have built a bike on a Phoenix chassis give me some feedback please. Rick C.
Nice frame BUT the rear axle carriers are WAY too far back from main rear of frame for load bearing.
Butch your right about the lack of rear triangle support. The length of the seat stays & the chain stays was increased behind the seat tube to allow the faux oil tank/tool box. Adding two vertical tubes (connecting the two stays) would provide additional support if located at the rear fender brace tube. The Simplex frame has such vertical support in their design. The Phoenix design is a long & unsupported distance from the axle drops to the seat tube!
Since the Phoenix uses a bicycle type rear triangle with the seat tube comprising the closure of the rear triagle, it also differs in it's top frame to head tube (steering tube) design, using a single tube over tube (the two of which support the fuel tank) rather than a mirror image of the lower frame which is side by side tubes. Phoenix in effect used a bike design, rear triangle & top tubes coupled to a dual tube lower frame for an improved & simplified engine mount platform for the heavier engines yet still capable of pedal power.
The Phoenix frame, therefore is a compromise, but it's still a nice frame that could be used as the basis of a Harley or other dual tube frame tribute build & with a few simple mods could be made very durable for mounting much larger engines...V-twin anyone? RickC.
Since the Phoenix uses a bicycle type rear triangle with the seat tube comprising the closure of the rear triagle, it also differs in it's top frame to head tube (steering tube) design, using a single tube over tube (the two of which support the fuel tank) rather than a mirror image of the lower frame which is side by side tubes. Phoenix in effect used a bike design, rear triangle & top tubes coupled to a dual tube lower frame for an improved & simplified engine mount platform for the heavier engines yet still capable of pedal power.
The Phoenix frame, therefore is a compromise, but it's still a nice frame that could be used as the basis of a Harley or other dual tube frame tribute build & with a few simple mods could be made very durable for mounting much larger engines...V-twin anyone? RickC.
IT WOULD BE A good starter frame but the costs would bee to high to just get one and remodel it. Cheaper to build the whole frame.
Again your correct & insightful as always Butch about the $$ involved with the initial price & the before mentioned frame strengthening. It's also more fun and satisfying to build your own frame...if you have the skill & tools to do it right, though many are willing to buy a completed Sportsman (nice choice!) or use an off the shelf frame etc. to build something a bit different, by just assembling parts. I've done 2 out of three (no Sportsman...yet) and had fun on all my builds & was satified with the creative process as well as the end results. The Phoenix frame might appeal to some, just as others have opted to purchase frames from, Silver State, Sportsman or others...for whatever reason & we can all think of several very popular and beautiful builds on this sub-forum who have done exactly this.
My Simplex is getting closer to being a complete frame build lol, but a little bit will remain... head/steerer tube, seat springs and axle drops & serial #. I hope my frame lengthening, engine mount & drive train modifications are all strong, safe & aesthetically pleasing, along with pleasant to ride as I would definitely not enjoy the taste of "Crow" after dining on a build seasoned with crap!
My Simplex is getting closer to being a complete frame build lol, but a little bit will remain... head/steerer tube, seat springs and axle drops & serial #. I hope my frame lengthening, engine mount & drive train modifications are all strong, safe & aesthetically pleasing, along with pleasant to ride as I would definitely not enjoy the taste of "Crow" after dining on a build seasoned with crap!
Yes pretty much what I indicated from first to last post, which is why I drew attention to their frame to begin with, just wanted someone who'd used them to pipe up and tell their virtues. I would still beef up the rear triangle for heavier and more powerful engines. I like insurance by overbuilding! Rick C.
Hey Rick,
I wanted to tell you how much I look forward to seeing photos of your Simplex coming together. Are the parts accumulating? When is Show&Tell?
SB
I wanted to tell you how much I look forward to seeing photos of your Simplex coming together. Are the parts accumulating? When is Show&Tell?
SB