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Post by roadrunner on Jun 24, 2011 7:14:41 GMT -5
I have been searching through web sites looking for a small bike that my brother had back in the early '50's.
I think it was a Simplex design but it was different is a few ways.
I had no throttle on the right hand side. The throttle was on the floor boards. Push down with toe = go faster push down with heel = go slower.
The engine was like a vertical lawn mower engine with a kick start. Centrifical clutch.
The bike was used to deliver the morning papers west of Cincinnati. I remember it had a dark like maroon paint. I have never ever been able to find something that even looked like that except reviewing the Simplex bikes that were produced during that time frame.
The throttle thing is the difference - I never saw a Simplex with that style...
Anyone ever heard of something like that? Just curious...! ;D
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Post by xsyamahadg on Jun 24, 2011 7:57:36 GMT -5
I have a 1956 "Cycle" Magazine in my collection that shows two Simplex motor bikes available for sale in 1956, one looks like a small motorcycle, the other looks like a scooter. Both were advertised as Under $300.00 delivered. I can't tell by the photos if either has a foot throttle or not. A buddy of mine had one when we were kids, we called them "service cycles" back then. His had the heel/toe thing going on, but I thought it was a belt slip clutch. The Simplex company offered both bikes in the deep red color. Maybe the foot throttle was added so both hands could be free to fling newspapers in either direction ?
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Post by roadrunner on Jun 24, 2011 8:04:46 GMT -5
I have a 1956 "Cycle" Magazine in my collection that shows two Simplex motor bikes available for sale in 1956, one looks like a small motorcycle, the other looks like a scooter. Both were advertised as Under $300.00 delivered. I can't tell by the photos if either has a foot throttle or not. A buddy of mine had one when we were kids, we called them "service cycles" back then. His had the heel/toe thing going on, but I thought it was a belt slip clutch. The Simplex company offered both bikes in the deep red color. Maybe the foot throttle was added so both hands could be free to fling newspapers in either direction ? Good thought about flinging newspapers. We don't even have photos of my brother's bike. He passed away in 2001. Nothing in any family albums back then. I would love to see a photo of what was for sale back then... his was not like a scooter. I am certain that his was earlier than 56. In 1956 he bought a Harley 61 and a model A Ford was used to deliver the papers from 1954 thru 1956. Thanks for the reply.
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Post by xsyamahadg on Jun 24, 2011 8:33:02 GMT -5
I think the Simplex was made for quite a while earlier than 1956, it may very well have been made and used during World War II. I don't have a scanner that will work with this Dell computer, but I might be able to have my daughter scan the advertisement and e-mail it to me. I haven't used a scanner since I bought my digital camera. If I can do that, I will post the photo on this thread. Give me a little time.
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Post by roadrunner on Jun 24, 2011 9:19:14 GMT -5
Well - I am thinking that you could just take a photo of that page... I have done that. I have 2 scanners that do not work anymore! Thanks for your reply! ;D
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Post by xsyamahadg on Jun 24, 2011 9:56:57 GMT -5
I tried to take a photo with my digital camera, here are the results:
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Post by roadrunner on Jun 24, 2011 16:58:37 GMT -5
XS - The bottom one looks somewhat like what I remember. Color was a deep red though. I thank you for your research and posting the photo page...!!
I wish there was a better shot of the engine and the tank area. BUT this is cool!
Thanks again!
Jim
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Post by amtrak on Jun 24, 2011 20:16:11 GMT -5
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Post by roadrunner on Jun 24, 2011 21:29:06 GMT -5
That looks more like it - thanks to you too Bill. The paint on my brothers was like a burgundy and the throttle was in the floorboards. But now I can tell my nephew what his day had in the early 50's --- ;D
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