[4][5] Simplex continued to make minibikes and karts using proprietary small engines[5][6] until 1975, when Simplex went out of business. Servi-Cycles went to England and Canada as part of the Lend-Lease program, and they went behind enemy lines in World War II. After the Huey P. Long Bridge officially opened in 1935, a Simplex Servi-Cycle went over the span. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online. Wollard, who also trades in parts and does renovations of the machines, is currently working on rebuilding a military model for the National World War II Museum. [7], The original Servi-Cycle design had the engine drive the rear wheel by belt, with no transmission or clutch, requiring the engine to be shut off while the cycle is at rest. Wollard, who began his own picking career concentrating on glass globes from gas pumps, finds the Simplex Servi-Cycle something special. When Harley-Davidson rejected the idea, Treen decided to enter the market himself and designed his Servi-Cycle. They thought it was a very nice place to work. 1942 Norton 16H motorcycle. He had 65 inventions to his credit; maybe his most famous invention was a kick stand, he sold that to Harley-Davidson, and they patented it!. Its exhilarating in a way. The Servi-Cycle on exhibit there is The last time I rode myself was about 10 years ago they had a show up in Hammond. The Norton 633 was a more powerful version of the 16H. English Simplex machines were 105cc twostrokes for use on bicycles, and were made from 1919 to 1922 by Patrick Engineering. Beginning in 1935, the Simplex Manufacturing Corporation of New Orleans made motorbikes, which were smaller and lighter than motorcycles. We may use the provided email to contact you if we have additional questions. Constitution Avenue, NW Treen was a dealer for Harley-Davidson Motorcycles in Baton Rouge, and he had originally approached that company with an idea for a smaller, lighter cycle, something that Harley owners sons could use, according to Treens son, John S. Treen. Between 12th and 14th Streets "Loved motorcycles all my life, and the Simplex is the reason why.friend used to ride me on his when I was 8 or 9..loved the simplicity of that bike..remember everything about it..own a Harley now.but wish I had that little motorbike out in my garage right now.", Personal information will not be shared or result in unsolicited email. He found some investors and quickly opened a factory in New Orleans. If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. [7] Simplex was the only motorcycle manufacturer located in the American South. He reasoned that productivity would be higher if the men were comfortable, and worker turnover would be less. The Simplex Servi-Cycle was an extremely simple motorcycle with a single-cylinder 2-stroke engine producing 2 horsepower [sic], according to the Smithsonian Institutions online notes for the exhibit, America on the Move at the Museum of American History. The Servi-Cycle on exhibit there is a 1935 model. ; he had only one year of college but had such a knack for invention that he became a full member of the Society of Automotive Engineers. People would go to work there and theyd stay there. A forward-thinking boss who believed workers deserved good working conditions ended up with a loyal work force turning out a good product for a ready market. The late Paul Treen Jr. was the third son of the founder of the company. Between 1935 and 1960, Simplex made variations of the Simplex Servi-Cycle including the 19531960 Simplex Automatic. Washington, D.C. Email powered by MailChimp (Privacy Policy & Terms of Use). A loyal fan of the Servi-Cycle, Gary L. Wollard of Bradenton, Fla., has written a booklet about Americas Premier Lightweight Motorcycle and owns about 100 of them I guess you could call that an obsession, he admitted. Treen had been a dealer in Harley-Davidson motorcycles and had pitched them the idea of making a lightweight motorcycle for young riders. According to John, the rise of motorcycle factories in Europe and Japan, where costs were lower, spelled the end for the Simplex Company. [10], The Servi-Cycle was claimed to have a fuel economy of 100mpgUS (120mpgimp; 2.4L/100km). In another new idea, he had music in the factory, and the men liked it. Simplex's minimalist philosophy was maintained throughout the company's history, whose designs changed little after 1935. Give your boy a Servi-cycle safer and easier to ride than a bike. [11], The Servi-Cycle used a magneto of Simplex's own design, providing 6volt electricity for the dual ignition and for the headlight, taillight and stoplight. After the war the Strategic Air Command bought Servi-Cycles to put on their planes sometimes the planes landed so far from the hangars the crew used them for ground transport. But, Harley-Davidson didnt take up the idea of adding smaller machines to its line, so Paul Treen decided to build and sell the small cycles himself. [2][4], Western Auto sold Simplex motorcycles under the Wizard brand in the mid-1950s. When they added an automatic transmission it went up to $298, John Treen says. I think it was $149 and after World War II it went up to $248. Designed to be fitted with a sidecar, it was the only British military bike to provide drive to the sidecar wheel. Simplex Netherlands. The Simplex was a natural extension of his abilities and vision. Please note that we generally cannot answer questions about the history, rarity, or value of your personal artifacts. After review, selected comments will appear on this page along with the name you provide. By the 1950s Simplex's designs were primitive, leading to the end of Servi-Cycle and Automatic production in 1960. Simplex was founded by Paul Treen (father of United States Congressman and Louisiana Governor David Conner Treen) in New Orleans, Louisiana in the late 1920s with an initial investment of $25. [10], By 1950, Simplex added a belt-type automatic transmission. The Simplex Servi-Cycle was an extremely simple motorcycle with a single-cylinder 2-stroke engine producing 2 horsepower [sic], according to the Smithsonian Institutions online notes for the exhibit, America on the Move at the Museum of American History. In his own experience, a trip over the bridge on a Servi-cycle could yield speeds up to 50 miles an hour (the usual range was closer to 30.) Got my first one at Christmas 1956 and acquired six or seven of the Servi-Cycles. 100 miles to a gallon of gas guaranteed! This ideal Christmas present in 1935 appeared in The Times-Picayune classified ads on Dec. 3 of that year:Simplex Servi-Cycle Sales at 701 Baronne St., was marketing the machine, but the factory that built them would ultimately be located at 540 N. Carrollton Ave. where a Home Depot now stands. It was during the depression, and it was so inexpensive. It was the only motor vehicle built in Louisiana at the time, John Treen explained. I never did that again!. There was also a taste for adventure; says John, My dad was the first man to ride a motorcycle 100 miles an hour, and for two years in the 1920s he supported himself as a professional motorcycle racer. Combining his talent for design and his love of motorcycles, the Simplex Servi-Cycle was the culmination of a dream. Treen was such a successful salesman for Harley-Davidson that he sold 2 percent of the companys annual output in Louisiana (to the Louisiana State Police). 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