Old Guys Simplex moto-peddle bike
- Thread starter indian22
- Start date
Thanks guys I really appreciate the searches you've made, I've a feeling if the company is this hard to locate & I've spent some hours over the last couple of years searching. then I'm probably down to distributors and individuals with old stock or surplus to their current needs. I don't tout specific products often, and it's not my intent to do so at this time, but I thought perhaps I'd find a source I'd overlooked. The Crow stand has held up to the 175 lb. weight of the Simplex and a lot of use with the rider seated while the bike is on stand & still looks and functions great. I've used one on all my builds over the last 4 or 5 years. One modification that the stand design allows is that when one small hole is drilled in the pedal chain side of the stand; it allows the insertion of a small, hardened rod or bolt to block the movement of the stands internal mechanism which prevents the stand from accidently folding. I do this when parking in less than perfect locations, at crowded bike shows, and while working on the bikes & have never had a bike fall; even with the application of heavy wrench torque, during removal and installation of rear wheel etc.
Drop stands don't really look vintage yet like disc brakes they are what I prefer to actually use in daily riding. I do have one remaining stand, but would like to have at least one more on hand. I could fabricate a heavy stand, but I'd much rather spend $30. or $40. for one that I know works great.
The stands don't bear a manufacturer's name or country of origin stamp, but do have a stylized " crow feather" laser cut through the front of the stand frame as a logo.
Thanks again for your help. Rick C.
Drop stands don't really look vintage yet like disc brakes they are what I prefer to actually use in daily riding. I do have one remaining stand, but would like to have at least one more on hand. I could fabricate a heavy stand, but I'd much rather spend $30. or $40. for one that I know works great.
The stands don't bear a manufacturer's name or country of origin stamp, but do have a stylized " crow feather" laser cut through the front of the stand frame as a logo.
Thanks again for your help. Rick C.
Sorry I overlooked your post earlier. I can't get the link you so kindly provided to respond, but will try again. Thanks for the response.
I also just ran a forum search for any reference to the Crow stand and found an active forum member in Canada who ordered a stand from Crow back in 2014 and I've initiated a conversation with him soliciting contact information. It's like a treasure hunt! Rick C.
[QUOTE="indian22, post: It's like a treasure hunt! Rick C.[/QUOTE]
I opened the sealed package that my last remaining stand was in and found a made in Taiwan stamp on the frame. No manufacturer info though. Rick C.
I opened the sealed package that my last remaining stand was in and found a made in Taiwan stamp on the frame. No manufacturer info though. Rick C.
And this is the same stand same guy just taller!https://www.ebay.com/itm/Heavy-Duty...241270?hash=item214ae1edf6:g:auEAAOSw8SpbEX6O
Short & straight pedal levers installed. These reduce the total width of the bike by 9" with the pedals in riding position. With the both folded another 4" reduction. The bike feels and looks sportier as a result & starting while astride is easy & safe which was my primary objective. The short 125 mm length levers are well out of the way on cornering as well.
On to the foot operated rear brake pedal mount. Rick C.
On to the foot operated rear brake pedal mount. Rick C.
The photo shows the pedal levers in the start position, but with the pedals not folded. The pedal on the kick start lever side would of course be folded during the starting procedure and later "straightened" for use as a footrest. Both pedal levers are perpendicular during use as foot rests. Rick C.
Last edited:
I've removed quite a few kickstands of the prop & fall over variety though the years and saved some in my parts bins for some eventual purpose. Yesterday I repurposed one such bike prop for use as a rear brake lever. The only modification made to the old part was to make a single bend to the stand "leg" and bolt the mechanism to the 1" tube frame using a 2 piece motorcycle clamp. The mechanism is positioned above the frame tube
The stand spring acts as a brake lever return after braking pressure is released & assisting the brake calipers own internal return spring as well. The rotation of the bent leg rod provides the necessary movement required to pull the cable. I'll need to machine a tiny pulley or tab to the rod end for attaching the brake cable & it's done. Except for cosmetic attention to the bent lever. The riders foot never leaves the pedal to operate this brake lever.
The rear brake was the last obstacle and excuse (save health) for not proceeding with the side car frame. I'll continue riding and testing the newer modifications of leaf fork, gearing and brakes while I cobble a hack frame into shape along with the appropriate mounts. I'm feeling good about the prospect. I've had the D.O.M. tube for months and it's well past time to start using it.
Rick C..
The stand spring acts as a brake lever return after braking pressure is released & assisting the brake calipers own internal return spring as well. The rotation of the bent leg rod provides the necessary movement required to pull the cable. I'll need to machine a tiny pulley or tab to the rod end for attaching the brake cable & it's done. Except for cosmetic attention to the bent lever. The riders foot never leaves the pedal to operate this brake lever.
The rear brake was the last obstacle and excuse (save health) for not proceeding with the side car frame. I'll continue riding and testing the newer modifications of leaf fork, gearing and brakes while I cobble a hack frame into shape along with the appropriate mounts. I'm feeling good about the prospect. I've had the D.O.M. tube for months and it's well past time to start using it.
Rick C..
Hi Ludwig glad to have you back. I'm running two of these knock off motors & both were modified by the same tuner. They both run well and are dependable but I have no insight as to how they compare to "stock". Of the two bikes the Harley is quicker due to running a 44t final cog & being almost 22 kilos lighter. As to lifting the wheel on twist up I'm doubtful that even the Harley could pull the wheel in third. You posted way back that the pushrod Honda 125 had surprising grunt & as usual you were spot on.
Brake pedal subframe & mech made from an old kickstand
Rick C
Somebody told me, and I have no reason to doubt them, that the standard Suzuki Savage was regarded as a slug, but the moment they received a decent sized carb, they lit up. I suppose there's lots of "slow" engines ready to surprise us if we just let them breathe better.
We tossed about the benefits of carb upgrade with the Simplex but stopped short of any follow through. The Harley motor is a carbon copy of the Simplex with the addition of the velocity stack and short exhaust the carb had to be significantly upjetted and just these simple mods brought the cg125 to life. The lumpy cam & heavy springs should support a much larger carb than the little VM22. Unless I one day opt for speed rated wheel & tire combo I don't feel the need for the added power though it continues to cross my mind.
Rear brake mech works great. I just need to add the cover plate for the lever for cosmetic purposes only. The kick stand rod works fine as is.
Rick C.
[QUOTE="indian22, post: 670568, member:
Rear brake mech works great. I just need to add the cover plate for the lever for cosmetic purposes only. The kick stand rod works fine as is.
Rick C.[/QUOTE]
Steel sheet welded to kickstand leg then overlaid with cooper sheet forms the basics of the rear brake lever...details added latter.
Rick C.
Rear brake mech works great. I just need to add the cover plate for the lever for cosmetic purposes only. The kick stand rod works fine as is.
Rick C.[/QUOTE]
Steel sheet welded to kickstand leg then overlaid with cooper sheet forms the basics of the rear brake lever...details added latter.
Time passes quickly. This thread was started almost four years ago & the 1957 "Copper Gator" Simplex has been on the road the last two years. During that two year period & also chronicled in this thread I completed my Harley Davidson "Peashooter" board track tribute using the same CG125/5 speed "knockoff" Taiwanese engine. Along the way the Simplex has been altered, tweaked & adjusted constantly. So much so that many of the changes were made, tested and altered or discarded without mention. I can't even begin to guess how many man hours I've invested in just this one bike, but it seems like I only recently formed the idea of building a large frame Simplex to house the CG125 engine and power train and it's still not complete; not without the sidecar!
The changes I'm currently making to the bike are just preparation for the "hack" attachment which I've been calling the "Copper Gar" car. For those not familiar with the term Alligator Gar: it's a long streamline fish with a mouth full of knarley teeth in it's long snout. I think it a fitting name for the side car, the body of which will be formed using a shortened kayak hull. I was recently gifted with a very nice Harley history book that displays a photo of a 1920's racing rig with a car that has a very similar profile to that which I'm proposing. Low slung and compact to complement the size and profile of my solo Simplex "boardie". I've most of the materials for the frame in hand & I've run out of excuses for not starting as the Simplex is simply ready & so am I.
Rick C.
The changes I'm currently making to the bike are just preparation for the "hack" attachment which I've been calling the "Copper Gar" car. For those not familiar with the term Alligator Gar: it's a long streamline fish with a mouth full of knarley teeth in it's long snout. I think it a fitting name for the side car, the body of which will be formed using a shortened kayak hull. I was recently gifted with a very nice Harley history book that displays a photo of a 1920's racing rig with a car that has a very similar profile to that which I'm proposing. Low slung and compact to complement the size and profile of my solo Simplex "boardie". I've most of the materials for the frame in hand & I've run out of excuses for not starting as the Simplex is simply ready & so am I.
Rick C.