This is a mostly complete example of a survivor motorcycle. This 1954 Simplex Automatic Servi-Cycle was acquired by the current owner in September 2009 and has been on static display in a humidity-controlled environment since that time. Simplex also sold motorcycles through Western Auto stores under their brand name “Wizard”. While sales were mostly domestic for the Servi-Cycle, the company also sent models to Canada and England as well as supplying units for the US military. Treen sold the company in 1972 and it closed permanently in 1975. The company continued to manufacture mini-bikes and go-carts for more than a decade. As imported motorcycles began to show an increased presence in the US market, Simplex ended manufacturing of the Serve-Cycle in 1960. This not only improved working conditions, it served to keep employees long term and cut down on turnover.īy the late 1950’s, the Simplex design was very dated in terms of technology and design. As the only motorcycle manufacturer in the Deep South at that time, understood that working conditions in the hot, humid environment would be very uncomfortable so Treen installed air conditioning in the factory. By the time production closed in 1960, the Servi-Cycle had changed very little cosmetically in the 25 years it was made. Treen had a rather unique philosophy, as he preferred to continually modify and refine his original design as opposed to other manufacturers who released new models annually, or at least every few years. The Simplex Automatic was introduced in 1953, utilizing a centrifugal clutch to allow a variable speed through the belt as engine RPM’s increased. Later advancements included adding a clutch and a kick-start mechanism. That required riders to shut off the engine at every stop and re-start by pushing it. Power came from a single-cylinder two-stroke engine with a belt directly driven off the engine to the rear wheel. When that idea was rejected, Treen believed enough in his idea that he gathered a group of investors to form Simplex Manufacturing Company and began designing what would become the Simplex Servi-Cycle.ĭebuting in 1935, the first Servi-Cycle was an uncomplicated vehicle. Treen saw a market for a lighter weight, smaller motorcycle and made a pitch to Harley Davidson executives to produce such a model. 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.In the late 1920’s Paul Treen was the successful owner of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle dealership in New Orleans, LA, with his shops sales accounting for two percent of the manufacturers sale thanks largely to his contracts with the Louisiana State Police. 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.

Simplex automatic motorcycle for sale