HOW NOT TO SET UP A 1949 SIMPLEX

Yes, that is the end of my 1949 Simplex derailleur, the very one that I had been saving just for this restoration., oh well, it did go out being used on a racing bike and not just sitting around in some collection gathering dust, that's what I keep telling myself anyway.

I guess the cable stretched a bit,the lower jockey wheel caught the spokes ( all of this happening at high speed), and the next thing you know, I'm flying through the air, though not for long, as gravity quickly takes over in the proceedings.
At lest it wasn't a Suzuki GSX1100, which is what came sailing over the top me last time I went over the bars on a bike and bit the dust.

The Empire back on the road now, with a Campagnolo Grand Sport filling in for the Simplex for time being, a friend is sending me a another broken Simplex, which I hope to rebuild using the spares from mine, which, unfortunatelywas more wrecked than it looks in the photo.

Left a real nice bruise, arm and back looked about the same.

EMPIRE SUPERB FINISHED.

The Empire is finally finished. I have taken it out for a couple of short rides, and as usual there is a couple of small finishing touches needed.
However from the time I have ridden it, I can already see that I will be putting a few miles on this one, she is a real sweetie.
I will probably change the Brooks swallow for a B17, I love the look of the swallows, but they just don't suit my arse.

SPECS.
1953 Empire Super 531 frameset.
L.J. Simplex three speed rear derailleur with shifter
Durex block
Simplex front rod derailleur
Stronglite cranks
Simplex chainwheels
Phillips pedals
Brooks Swallow saddle
GB Super Hood brake levers
GB Coureur brake calipers
Cinelli steel stem
Coloral alloy water bottles
Fiamme red label rims
Harden high flange hubs..mmmm..my favorite.

GB Super Hood levers, without hoods, nice anodized adjusters though.

By the way, make sure you put your white cloth bar tape on AFTER you have the bike sorted!
At lest that way they might stay a little bit clean, well longer than about one hour, which is how long my stayed clean for.

Cyclo rear drop outs.
Four speed block, but Simplex can only handle three.

Other projects on the go..1952 Empire Superb and Lee's Tandem

Ad from the back cover of a 1951 New Zealand Cycling Review magazine, good inspiration for my restoration.

This particular machine belonged to Lynn Wood of New Plymouth.
He rode to victory in the 1962 100 mile Taranaki Round the Mountain classic on this frame.
Lynn was brought this frame in the early 1950's by his Dad, and rode it right through his cycle racing career until the 1970's.

 

Below is Vern Wood, Lynn Woods Nephew,
The Woods were a big cycling family.

1952 Empire Superb back to bare steel and all ready for the rebuild.
These frames were built and distributed exclusively for Hope Gibbons in the North Island and Eadie Bros in the South Island , built by whom I am not sure of at present but will do some research and see what info I can come with.
 Frame weight 1.94 kg, a very cleanly made machine, check out the front and rear tips, real 50's style...nothing looks better to me, on a vintage racing bike frame than these little touches.

My mate Lee's Royal Enfeild tandem that I am going to restore for him.
This bike has been in Lee's family for a very very long time, so it will be good to get to get it up and running in all it's former glory.
Check out the photo above when it had been set up with a steering wheel, these are a couple of Lee's Dad's mates in Old Blighty late 1960's
Lee is a good guy to talk to if you want some old decals retraced for a restoration, he did the work on the Avanti decals that are on my other blog http://theavantiproject.blogspot.com/
You can contact Lee at lee@blackrobinclothing.com for graphic or decal work for your restoration, he's the man.
Lee's Great Great Auntie and the Royal Enfeild when new, late 1920's early 30's England.