1957-simplex-servi-cycle_1
American motorcycle manufacturing is great for its entrepreneurs. Right from the beginning we see ambitious, inventive people taking an idea and working to build a company, make an innovative product that sells well. But that didn’t stop with the American motorcycle industry shrinking from over 200 companies to just three after the crash of 1929, then with Excelsior shutting down in 1931, only two.

The inventive Joseph Paul Treen of Baton Rouge, Louisiana saw that post-Depression, 1935, Americans could use a lightweight motorcycle. With $25 of family cash he created the Simplex Manufacturing Company. At first the Simplex was direct drive and at every stop the engine was shut down, the compression release activated, and restarting was by pushing! Over time variable speed drive and a real clutch were added. Treen favored evolution of his machine rather than making a new model every few years, and improvements might show up any time of year.

The featured Simplex Servi-Cycle is from late in the company’s production, employs 20 years of development, is the height of Servi-Cycle design. The engine, a simple 150cc two-stroke, employs an “overhung” crankshaft with no bearing opposite the output side; a bottom end rebuild could be done without pulling the cases apart. Note that the remote float carb feeds directly into the crankcase, a sort of rotary valve design. The engine employs dual spark plugs, always a good idea in older two-strokes, before synthetic pre-mix lubricants.

The chassis is interesting as well. A tubing bender’s dream, each side of the frame is a continuous loop of steel tubing. Rear suspension is only via a sprung seat, up front is a “springer fork” not unlike that on pre-1949 Harleys. There’s lighting and even a Simplex brand odometer to track your progress. The large wheels work well on rough rural roads and city streets alike. On earlier models, the center stand folded to become the footpegs, but this later machine has floorboards. Stepping back from it all, Treen’s ideas were solid; the Servi-Cycle is unpretentious, just “serves” its rider. But competition from other makers, especially the Far East, was strong by 1960 when Simplex folded after 25 years making a range of motorcycles, scooters, even three wheelers.

Today any version of the Simplex Servi-Cycle is desirable to collectors many of whom grew up with these machines, or had parents who did. They are an important part of America’s motorcycle manufacturing history as most agree that Simplex created America’s most popular lightweight motorcycle.

Specifications:

  • Engine: Two-Stroke Single, Air-Cooled
  • Induction: Carburetor, Rotary Valve
  • Ignition: Magneto
  • Horsepower: 2 – 3HP
  • Wheels/Tires: 26 x 2.25 / 26 x 2.25 Inches
  • Frame: Continuous Steel Loop
  • Brakes: Drum, Front & Rear
  • Primary: Belt
  • Clutch: Belt Tensioner
  • Transmission: Variable / Belt & Pulley
  • Final Drive: V-Belt
  • Suspension: Springer Fork / Sprung Seat
  • Accessories: Lighting, Odometer and Luggage Rack
13 replies
  1. Paul
    Paul says:

    Simplex was one of the first “bikes” I learned to ride…the one I rode belonged to my next-door neighbor, who also had a Whizzer….we nearly rode the wheels off those things, then his dad bought him a knucklehead basket case, which we promptly put together and rode many miles…

    Reply
  2. Eric Pritchet
    Eric Pritchet says:

    I first saw a Simplex around 2010 at Mathison hardware and plumbing in Livonia Michigan but wasn’t to impressed, maybe because it was just setting there. Eventually Frank Matheson and I become good friends and invited me to Portland Indiana bike show and I seen them being rode and I had to have one! So I got on the hunt and put one together. Daddy-O

    Reply
  3. Milt Wannabike
    Milt Wannabike says:

    My first factory motorized vehicle was a simplex servi-cycle. I think it was a 1950 model purchased from Western Auto in Kansas City, Kansas. It was brand new still in the crate. My dad and I assembled it. I was only 16 years old at the time. I can’t exactly remember the year, but I think it was 1950, or, it could have been 1949. I do remember it had a “rocker” lever on the left side (foot actuated) that changed the ratio to the rear drive belt. I am looking for ANY & ALL information about that year and model bike. I want to restore one to be exactly the same as my first ride. It will be museum quality when I am finished. If anyone has ANY information re. such a bike PLEASE FORWARD the same. Thanks.
    Milt
    jenlee@canby.com

    Reply
    • David
      David says:

      Yeah, I had one of those early model Servi Cycles. I bought it used in ’49, so it was perhaps a ’48 or ’49 model. My buddy, who persuaded me to buy one, and I “tore up the town” according to the service station owner where we bought our mixed fuel. For a long time he outran me, until someone noticed that the shift lever on mine (foot control) wasn’t fixed properly. A little welding took care of that. Very simply machines. But they got us around. I rode mine to school several years. Best wishes on your restoration project.

      Reply
      • Kevin P Kane
        Kevin P Kane says:

        Still looking for one of these things? There will be at auction near Green Bay, WI Saturday, April 15. Go to Bahrkeauctions.com to see. Good luck.

        Reply
  4. Mark
    Mark says:

    Pulling the plugs is typical; get the correct size spark plug socket, a deep well, and a racket or open end that fits that spark plug wrench and rotate counter clockwise while viewing from the top. Two plugs on this model in case of fouling.

    Reply

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