It was unable to compete with the imports in quality, innovation, and price. It really was a 1930 design made into the late 1950s. Whizzers, Italian Scooters, and cheap Japanese bikes, led to the end of the Simplex. If you ran out of fuel, a little plate next to the ignition switch instructs the rider to dismount & lean the bike over all the way to the left side, wait 30 seconds for the reserve tank inside the main fuel tank to empty, the you have another 50 miles of travel. It’s little motor is incredibly simple, having only ONE main bearing, and 3 moving parts: Piston, rod, & crank. ![]() Also sold well to the military during WW2 & Korean conflict. These were intended as either a low cost entry into motorized transport, or for delivery service for pharmacies, grocers and other retail operations. H-D said no, build it yourself, so he did! A very unusual cycle, the creator was a Harley dealer in New Orleans, who during the depression, begged H-D to make a more affordable bike. I sold a 1952 Air Force version at Hershey 2 years ago, with an extra motor. Production began in 1935 and the last Simplex Automatic off the line in 1960 looked almost exactly the same. Are you a fan of the Simplex Servi-Cycle? This bikes low weight really makes it a fun ride and a great cruiser for a swap meet or as a vintage pit bike. The tires, brakes, and other mechanicals will need to be checked. Most of the paint has survived with some mild surface rust to be found on the lower part of the frame. Well worn but still legible, the water slides are still visible on either side of the bike. Fortunately the engine does turn over, so with a little luck and wrenching, hopefully this two stroke will be buzzing again.Ĭharming in appearance, I personally would leave the bike as is and make it road worthy. Mostly complete, there are is a missing cover off of the engine, and the kick starter is missing. Also the Servi-cycle was claimed to be capable of reaching 100 mpg, but I am sure some have seen higher. From 53 onward these bikes were equipped with a variable speed automatic making the 7.9 cubic inch two stroke much more useful with its peak 4 horsepower rating. This Servi-Cycle is listed as both a 1952 and a 1954. Check out this sweet two wheel find here on eBay out of Rancho Cucamonga, California. It is said to have come from an extensive collection that is now available, it has a Buy It Now price of $7,490 here on eBay.Lightweight and compact with awesome looks, this Simplex Servi-Cycle is nice survivor that would be a perfect cruiser for those big swap meets you go to each year! Easy on gas, and easy to pick up and put into the back of your truck or van, this motorbike has drawn a lot of interest with 45 bids raising the auction price to $2,650. This Simplex Servi-Cycle (VIN: J5601) is located in Addison TX and is listed as a zero mileage bike. The Simplex was a ‘push to start’ bike until 1953, but the ‘48 had a toe clutch that made this task much easier. The bike was direct drive with a belt driven directly off the crankshaft through a centrifugal clutch and another belt to the rear wheel. 2 spark plugs and a unique magneto that not only provided spark but also lighting power completed the package. A rotary valve and only one crank bearing kept the weight down to 135 LBS. Servi-Cycles were marketed through Western Auto stores as the ‘Wizard’ throughout the 1950’s.īy 1948 the Simplex Servi-Cycle used a 130 CC (7.9 CID) air cooled two stroke motor that made 4 HP. The Servi-Cycle remained as the same model the entire run, with improvements being added as they were developed rather than as ‘new model’ introductions. In 1935 the first Servi-Cycle appeared and continued in operation until 1960. turned him down and he decided to make them himself. In the early 1930’s Baton Rouge, LA Harley Davidson dealer Paul Treen pitched HD with the idea of making an inexpensive motorcycle that would provide cheap transportation and a steady stream of aspiring Harley Davidson riders.
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