What year is my Simplex?
This simple question and answer chart will help determine the vintage of your Simplex Servi-Cycle, Automatic, or Truck. If you start with Question #1 and answer the questions correctly, you should arrive at your correct year and model. Bear in mind that production changes were often made mid-year. Much more detailed information is available on each year model. If you have further questions after following the chart, or want more details about your particular model, feel free to e-mail me.
Yes, many parts are still available, from several sources. See the Classifieds page for more information. Two of the larger parts dealers for Simplex Servi-Cycles and Automatics in the U.S. are:
Wayne Mahaffey
8601 County Road 214
Trinity, AL 35673
(256)353-7786 (Days)
(256)353-5552 (Nights)
and
Gary Wollard
4511 100th St. West
Bradenton, FL 34210
(941)795-1153
Also, I have photocopies of many manuals, catalogs, and articles available. For a detailed listing, click here.
Yes. You can click here for a few photos of Compact Sportsmans (later sold under the brand name Valiant). Soon, a section of this site will be devoted to the Compact Sportsman. Meanwhile, you can obtain more information about these models from Mark Casillas.
Quite frankly, whatever somebody will pay you for it. Simplexes have not appreciated greatly in recent years, but a well preserved or well-restored one can be worth several thousand to the right person. I've seen rusted frames with no handlebars or engine for $125, and I've seen complete semi-restored Automatics for $4,500. One general rule is the older the model, and the more complete and correct it is, the more it's worth. In other words, a 1935 or '36 Direct Drive in excellent unrestored condition is much more rare than, say, a 1956 Automatic, and thus is worth much more. If it has a history with it, it's worth more. If it has a Briggs engine grafted into it, it's worth considerably less. For an overview of recent models I've seen for sale, click here. You also should review the Classifieds section to see what others are going for. I'll be happy to give you a ballpark appraisal of yours. Just e-mail me.
Yes, a nice reproduction tire is available from Wayne Mahaffey. This is the tire that was used from about 1940 on, which is a 26 x 2 1/2" tire with the Servi-Cycle logo on it. Earlier models used balloon bicycle tires.
The engine number is located on the left side of the crankcase.See here for detailed illustration of engine serial number location. The frame serial number (if your bike has one) is located just behind the steering head and front forks on the underside of the steering head. You'll need to kneel or lay down and look directly up under the steering head behind the front forks, between the steering head and crash bars. Look closely with a flashlight. The numbers will be stamped into the frame and should consist of five digits beginning with a "0" or "1". For example, my '54 frame number is 08109, and engine number is M16364B. The frame numbering system first appeared around 1948-9.Click here for a photo of frame serial number location.
