Although they were only around for about 25 years, Simplex was an interesting company. They were the only major company that made motorcycles in the far southern part of the U.S., being based in New Orleans, Louisiana. This 1957 Simplex Automatic is posted here on Facebook Marketplace in Menasha, Wisconsin, and they’re asking $2,300. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Lothar… of the Hill People for the tip!
Somehow, this motorcycle simultaneously looks cool, tough, elegant, friendly, and mean at the same time. I don’t know how Simplex pulled that off, but it’s one of the great motorcycle designs of all time, in my opinion. The double, almost-full-loop frame is both unique and pragmatic at the same time, and is very much a design element. The gas tank fits perfectly within the top of the frame, and the engine rests on the bottom. Very well done. I’m sure there are other motorcycles with this design, but Simplex worked its magic on this one. Suspension duties are basically handled by the springer seat and the air in the tires, or in the new tires once you restore this one and add new tires.
Invented by Paul Treen of Baton Rouge, the Servi-Cycle was in development since 1928, and Simplex Manufacturing Company officially started in 1935. He had been working on the design for several years before starting the company. A few improvements were made over the ensuing 25 years, until 1960, but their motto was, for all intents and purposes, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” After the Servi-Cycle went out of production, they continued on with scooters, mini-bikes, and go-karts until the mid-1970s. We saw one of their go-karts here on Barn Finds a couple of years ago.
Mr. Treen made sure his employees had a nice facility to work in, so even in the early 1900s, during the depression, it was air-conditioned. Any of you who have been to New Orleans between April and September know how important that would be for productivity. You can see the unique double-tube frame in the photo above, along with the two tanks, speedometer showing a top speed of 60 mph, and odometer showing 1,164 miles, and a switch for the lighting, although it appears to be missing the black knob. An interesting feature, or quirk, is that the “reserve” is a half-gallon at the bottom of the left tank. So, if you run out of gas, you lie the bike on its right side for five minutes to get the gas over to that side, and you’re off.
The engine is a 130-cc twin-plug, two-stroke single-cylinder with 4 horsepower and a unique overhung crankshaft. The early 1950s saw the introduction of the “Automatic” transmission models, and they helped ease travel as the early models had to be shut off every time you stopped. Although a clutch was incorporated after the Depression-era bikes. This example is said to be complete but not currently in running condition, although it turns over. Have any of you seen or, better yet, owned a Simplex motorcycle? If so, I’m very jealous.
Good MC history right here, Scotty, and you narrate it well. Can you imagine riding this beast on the roads of the day? It tells us of the determination of that generation and what the were made of.
Hopefully the new buyer will appreciate it for what it is and was as much as most of us that ride can.
This is a beautiful design. I didn’t know much about Simplex until reading this now. Thank you for all the research Scotty. Air conditioning was in its early stages back then. I think it was very rare to have that in any factory or assembly line. But it was smart to keep everyone as comfortable as possible to keep the work up. Great write up Scotty I enjoyed it.
You know, I bet people spend big bucks to go to college to learn this stuff, for a paltry sum for membership, ( and ever increasing cable rates) we have Professor G right here. Yo, teacher, leave us kids alone,,,
Hmm, I thought my grandpa invented that phrase, if it ain’t broke,, kind of an odd way of promoting a product, and I HAD to look up what moves the dang thing. A big belt around the rim to the clutch, and an infinite ratio, like a snowmobile. At 1st, I laughed, but after looking at images of restored ones( I’d post a link, but apparently that sends the comment to Hades) and it was a really sharp looking bike. The motor had a revolutionary rotary valve, and was easy to operate. Touted as the least expensive motorcycle, at about $300 new, once again, the automatic SHOULD have attracted more buyers, it did go 40 mph, but I think was a failure. The Allstate moped was half the cost, and essentially did the same thing. I bet the American Pickers dude would love to have this.
I also want to thank the staff for fixing the site, I realize must have taken a lot, we can’t miss out on Scottys “lessons”, now, can we. Thanks
The form of this is pure art. It looks much older than it is, which a credit to its design. This should be cleaned up and become a centerpiece of a store display,. I’d stop just to see it.
The patina is pretty special, but a complete restoration would bring it back to life as well.
To my eyes it seems far under priced.
A very nice write up!
Nice bike given its history and appearance. My only concern is the engine. Being a two-stroke and having sat, it’s going need to be taken apart down to individual pieces to get it running again, especially the crank and crankcase seals. It could be doable providing the owner has the time and resources to get needed parts.
These things are collectible , especially in the vintage minibike and go kart community. Simplex also had a line of fun karts and racing karts back in the day.
You’re right, Russell. I mentioned that in the third paragraph, and put in a link to a Simplex go-kart from a couple of years ago. That go-kart was pretty unique.
Thank you for posting that too Scotty. Once I saw it I remembered it. Just wild having two engines back there.
As a high school senior, in 1965, I raced a Simplex kart at our local dirt track: an oval with a road course. The kart had a live axle and drum brakes. It was black with white seat cushions. It was a great machine.
I had one of these when I was about 15 years old (1958). The engine had been swapped out for a Continental 4 h p 4 cycle angle cylinder engine with a centrifugal clutch. I could get about 45 miles per hour out of it on level ground with no head wind. It was a really comfortable bike to ride. I paid $75.00 for it and rode it for several years. Can’t recall what happened to it.
Well done, Scotty. You do a great job keeping the rest of us over-the-hill troops informed. Funny that I heard of a Simplex car but not a motorcycle.
First thought was going to my copy of “The World’s Motorcycles 1896-1963.” But I’m in the process of moving (wife calls it downsizing) and my books are packed away. However, from what I can see, this bike could be a lot of fun…
You’ve forgotten more than I’ll ever know about vehicles, Geo. And don’t throw away that book, I’ll buy it from you!
What a cool little motorcycle, and an excellent write up. Frankly I am surprised at the asking price, I would have guessed to be much higher.
Have a 1919 Simplex .
Wes Holliday: How is that possible? According to a very well written, (and well researched) article by Scotty, the Servi-cycle was still in the development stages in 1928.
I made a comment about a “1919 Simplex” but apparently “big brother'” didn’t approve. Too bad, it was an interesting comment.
What do you mean? Your comments are all live.
So they are. My apologies.
Thanks Scotty for the write up! It’s great to see the website working and to read all of the comments again. I’ve never seen one of these and I don’t know much about early motorcycles but this design seems pretty advanced to me for the time, and the way they made a “reserve tank” is a hoot. I remember the Simplex go-cart because a family friend had one and it was a boatload of fun to drive, and it was fast. It also says a lot about Mr. Treen that he’d put in air conditioning for his employees.. I was born in south Texas and my family lived there during my first ten years and to this day I remember the summer heat and humidity. And btw Howard A, I was pretty sure it was my grandpa who came up with the phrase “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.” but apparently we both got schooled. :-)
Thanks for all of the great comments, John, and everyone!
I agree, Jesse has worked his magic, and things seem to be working great, including the thumbs-up feature that a lot of us missed. I can barely run a photo business; I can’t imagine running a business and website like Barn Finds. It’s a 24/7 operation, and Jesse and Josh knock it out of the park.
This is not some gigantic billion-dollar conglomerate like Bring a Trailer, which is owned by Hearst Corporation (net worth $22,000,000,000) with all of their resources. This site is run by Jesse and Josh, that’s it, and I can’t imagine how much work it is to bring it here every single minute of every single day.
Please try to remember that the next time something doesn’t work perfectly for a while. There isn’t a skyscraper full of people keeping the site running, it’s literally just two guys. Sorry for going on and on about that, but it’s painful to read some comments dissing the site when something goes wrong, knowing that this impressive site is run by just two regular car guys, rather than some giant, international multimedia company.
Thank you Scotty, I had no idea it was just two guys running things. I was a web designer for years so I know how hard it can be, and I also know how fast people can critize things these days, but I figured it was either a snafu or I was kicked out for some unknown reason. Having said that this has to be one of the few remaining companies that aren’t corporately owned and solely bent on profit, (much to my chagrin) so I am super grateful for it and the work all of you folks put in. As an old bike rider and hot rod guy who loves classics of all kinds I look forward to checking my email every day to see the new postings, so for me this site is a Godsend, and I know there are many of us out here like myself. :-) Thanks again!
I remember simplex tractors and attachments
About 30 years ago I stumbled upon a series of Quonset huts and sheds filled with over 15,000 square feet of stuff from a former farm/hardware/marine store in a rural setting on Maryland’s eastern shore. I ended up selling most of the contents over many years, including 3.5 Simplex motorcycles.
3.5 Motorcycles? Yep. 2 never used, still in the shipping crates, 1 that was well used but complete, and the remnants of the 4th that was used to keep #3 running. The prior owner had used the bikes as delivery vehicles for the business, and because he was a dealer for Simplex, when they stopped making the bikes he kept the other 2 for future delivery needs. However, in the 1960s the owner closed down the business, so the new ones were never used.
He was also a dealer for the French Velox-Solex bicycles [with the single cylinder motor driving the front tire] and had a couple of them in their original shipping boxes too! And did I mention there were also 7 [yes seven] WW2 Indian Scout motorcycle engine and gearbox assemblies, still in the original wooden shipping crates? [And yes, everything is long gone, so don’t ask me if I have any Indian engines laying around!]