Old guy is at it again with the side car Simplex. Still going forward, but events have modified my plans just a bit. I traded for a brand new Predator V-Twin 22 hp engine last night, which I'm assured by my demented small engine fanatic can be reliably built out to 30 plus hp and use the 3 D manual clutch on a jack shaft for single speed power transfer. Plenty of torque to pull the extra weight.
Starting with a bare Simplex frame stretched 6" and eliminating the kick start lever and pedal bracket, removes some big problems that faced me in converting the Copper Gator Simplex to a side car rig. Compromises that I really didn't care to make. Electric start eliminates the need for a kick starter and the necessary upgrading of wheels, tires & brakes to DOT approved ratings does away with the need for pedal functions as well. Frame can then be expressly modified for strength & side car mounting hard points added at the proper locations not just where space allows.
Another option I suppose would be to dismantle the Copper Gator Simplex & install the V-twin & modify the already stretched and tremendously overbuilt DOM frame for sidecar attachment. I really like the CG 125 5 speed engine & the way the Copper gator feels, but I also have a modified version (more power) of the same engine in the Harley Peashooter. Just finding a solid Simplex Servi-Cycle frame in good condition is not really the problem, but rebuilding it to match the strength of the one I built is. It would actually be not only better, but also easier & somewhat less expensive just to build a Simplex frame from scratch...which is really what I ended up doing on the last Simplex frame. I used the original steering head & seat spring & the rest was built in my shop. I'll think on this awhile...
Not in a hurry here but I would like to finish both bike and sidecar before next winter, but Spring would be better. I'm not getting any younger! Rick C.