Old Guys Simplex moto-peddle bike

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indian22

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Dec 31, 2014
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Guys I've got a question. Anybody got a suggestion for a great looking, small drum brake that will lace to 36 hole hub/rim? Needs to be 1950 thru 1970's vintage. Euro or ?? No matter. Ludwig I know you've got it.

As to side cars and Indians my minds awash. Watching a Brit TV production series "Death in Paradise" where a constable of a Caribe island rides a beautifully restored sidecar Royal Enfield...."Now dat's a thing' o' beauty man." Rick C
 

Ludwig II

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Jul 17, 2012
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UK
I just bought an 80mm Motobecane hub made by Atom. 36 holes, suitable for a 40mph moped. How fast and how heavy will the bike be that it has to stop? Jawa did a 6" tls for years, but they're going to be a rarity in the US, what about the Japanese 125/175 sports bikes of the 70s, before discs took over? Not forgetting any US badged European imports..


 
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indian22

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Dec 31, 2014
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Thanks Ludwig! Are these moped items? What's the axle diameter? Are they available front and rear as well? I like the cut of the lot. Rick C.
 

Ludwig II

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Jul 17, 2012
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I will investigate the spindle tomorrow, and you could probably replace the bearings with larger diameter if it's not enough. Front also available. Spokes are 8 gauge, I think, so strong enough.
 

indian22

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Dec 31, 2014
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I'll read your future posts with at least some attention to content. It's to be used on a Simplex Ludwig & 40'ish mph, front wheel stock Simplex or Worksman. Total weight I'm guessing under 65 kilos. Since many of the Simplex machines seem to have had rear drums only any brake up front will feel a great comfort. Simplex axle drops & fork axle diameter are both a nominal 1/2".

Just started casting about so worlds the limit I suppose. Thanks! Rick C.
 

Ludwig II

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Jul 17, 2012
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The Motobecane and, indeed, virtually any European moped hub of that diameter should be entirely adequate. The same applies to Japanese stuff, I suppose. The important part is the efficiency both in mechanical and friction terms. New linings are a good idea, and ensuring good contact and movement of the shoes too. I have seen longer actuating arms fitted as well in the past to give greater force on the shoes.
 

silverbear

The Boy Who Never Grew Up
Jul 9, 2009
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northeastern Minnesota
Rick,
My experience with Worksman hubs is that they are not all that great. I've used an Atom that was much better. I'd look for something from a light motorcycle or good moped... something that was meant to go 40 mph.
SB
 

Gbrebes

Well-Known Member
Jul 16, 2010
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Los angeles
Hey Rick,

I have a home built bike that can reach up to 50mph, 40 regularly, and I use a front drum hub off of a 1960's Honda cb100. It stops very nice, it could put you over the bars if you grabbed it too hard. They are fairly easy to find on ebay inexpensively, and they still sell new shoes for them. The hub also has a speedo gear,

I have noticed that people like to sell the hub separately from the shoe plate on eBay, but sometimes you find a whole unit for sale together.

Hope that helped,

Gilbert
 

indian22

Well-Known Member
Dec 31, 2014
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I've read many of your posts G. & that is a nice build...one wot's ridden's proven! CB/CL hubs and pieces would seem an extremely good candidate for a lightweight motorcycle build. Good parts availability as well. That being said the complete wheel, hub & brake assembly also appear viable for mounting DOT rated tires on another build.

My initial inquiry about hub & brake assemblies was and is a separate issue. I'm also looking at wheel and tire options for my upcoming V twin build. CB 100 18" front and 17" rear should stand somewhere close to the overall 26" diameter I'm seeking with proper bias ply tires mounted. CB hubs and drums don't clash with the 1930's era look of a Simplex but if I decide to use a drop loop frame I'd lace the CB hub/drum to a Worksman 26" wheel on the rear and use the Atom up front on a Worksman 26".

I really appreciate all you guys input & feel free to add if you come up with something. Right now I'm planning and not buying. Besides Spring and Summer are really busy shop wise and my personal projects are hidden away at home so they're not run over by a Peterbilt dragging a belly dump, hate when that happens. Rick C.
 

Allen_Wrench

Resident Mad Scientist
Feb 6, 2010
2,784
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Indianapolis
Music! That to me is music. The rhythmic, crisp, crackling of that old Power Plus as it warms up and smooths out. That is one of the many mechanical sounds which I could listen to all night (or at least until my wife sees fit to come in here and issue a thinly-veiled "suggestion" that I'll be thankful if I got a few hours of sleep tonight). :)
 

indian22

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Dec 31, 2014
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Thanks Steve for the sidecar posts. When I couple the still shot with the video and add the ongoing "British Columbia" Powerplus build thread that you shared ealier I'm beginning to get the the feel for how "Indian cars" are coupled to the bike. Now going through the sidecar "sticky" again for the peculiar bicycle insight that Silverbear, Curtis, Ludwig and yourself (with apologies to the many others who've kindly posted) bring to the lightweight design and construction of sidecars. I'm soaking info for the duration as I'm a complete newbie on the subject of placing three wheels to the asphalt in place of two.

My thoughts on the bike to match the sidecar however are much clearer. I'll use a drop loop frame with a single cylinder motor...to build a road style circa 1910 Indian tribute. Purpose built for side car attachment. As I want the V-twin bike to be a board track or flat track style (depending on the frame design selected) I'm looking at two separate builds. I've decided to start with the drop loop single first as I've a good image in mind for the bike at least. I've ordered a small 100cc Honda clone with integrated 5 speed to match with the loop frame...weight about 50 lbs. & 9 to 10 hp. same basic engine as the CG125 just a bit smaller. When that gets here I'll be able to mock up a frame design. It would be nice if it fit in one of Pat D's Flyers without cutting but I won't speculate at this time. I'm sure I'll be able to complete this build during the summer and get started on the V twin during the fall, but I've been wrong before... 'course the sidecar project itself is another matter as well lol. Rick C.
 

indian22

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Dec 31, 2014
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Woke up this morning and purchased one of Pat D's Flyer frames to mount the 100 cc Honda 5 speed clones on. I'd think 10 days & I'll be mocking up the both of them.

It's spring & I'm wanting to start a build, now, while it's fresh in me brain. Fuel tank will be one of Pat's as well. I'm leaning towards the flat style tank, but still undecided. Forks will be my design project entirely based around the Simplex "pea shooter" style dual springer with a few twists. The handle bars will again Flyer "Harley" board racer style. I'll fabricate risers & plate to mount these to the forks. I'm trying to save some time by using known quality frame, tank and bars that are dead on style wise & concentrating my time on unique one off elements, which is what I'm really interested in. I'd also like this to be a functional pedal bike. We'll see where this takes us.

The twin is still on the table as well, just not fleshed out yet. Rick C.
 

fasteddy

Well-Known Member
Feb 13, 2009
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British Columbia Canada
I wish I'd used Pat's frame and parts for the tri car. It would have been done long ago. I'll certainly be watching the build closely.

I am laying out the sidecar body plans to fill in time until the parts get here. I need to find out from Pat what the distance between the axles are to see how long it will be and then I'll work out the length. I'll use a 1x2 wood frame with luan over it and then use construction adhesive to glue thin sheet metal on the luan. I've done it before and it held up really well.

Hope the sidecar sticky was of some use to you. I winged the construction of the frame since I had never built one before. Took a few tries but it worked. Following the Indian sidecar frame as they built it will be a challenge but my pipe hickey and I are up to it.

Which engine did you purchase?

Steve.
 

culvercityclassic

Well-Known Member
Sep 27, 2009
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Culver City, Ca
Woke up this morning and purchased one of Pat D's Flyer frames to mount the 100 cc Honda 5 speed clones on. I'd think 10 days & I'll be mocking up the both of them.

It's spring & I'm wanting to start a build, now, while it's fresh in me brain. Fuel tank will be one of Pat's as well. I'm leaning towards the flat style tank, but still undecided. Forks will be my design project entirely based around the Simplex "pea shooter" style dual springer with a few twists. The handle bars will again Flyer "Harley" board racer style. I'll fabricate risers & plate to mount these to the forks. I'm trying to save some time by using known quality frame, tank and bars that are dead on style wise & concentrating my time on unique one off elements, which is what I'm really interested in. I'd also like this to be a functional pedal bike. We'll see where this takes us.

The twin is still on the table as well, just not fleshed out yet. Rick C.
You made a good choice Rick, Pats frames are solid and have the look. No sure what the plan is on the 100cc to drive the back wheel, I did a 5 speed motor in a Dyno frame and made a jack shaft for the drive side, it worked out amazing...used Pats crank setup and I am able to shift the bike with my foot in the right position on the pedal...you will love having a gear box motor on that bike