Typical, it seems, of Simplex and their documentation, it's difficult to accurately plot a time-line for things, and these shifters are a good example. Illustrations in the catalogs seem to bounce back and forth. The alloy "sun-burst" lever style appears in the '74 catalog with what is commonly assumed to be the later version without the "tab" at the bottom (slot for the spring tip).
http://www.velo-pages.com/
Then the '75 catalog shows the the alloy "sun-burst" lever with the "tab".
http://www.velo-pages.com/
Catalogs from about '77 to '79 show the "tab" version in alloy, and then the Derlin (fiber) version with the tab and the alloy version without, and then the Derlin version with the tab and the "loop" version without. I don't think the "loop" version was produced with the tab, or that the Derlin version was produced without, but the sun-burst version was made both ways.
BTW, the part numbers for the springs are different for the two versions, but the springs for the non-tab version (which I have) seem to work just fine in the tab-version (which I do not have springs for) if you grind a tiny bit off the protruding tip and reverse them.
Clear as mud, huh?
I have exploded views of all versions, which I will post to the Velo Classique site when I get a little less busy, which probably won't be real soon.
Wayne Bingham Purcellville, mostly these days, VA USA
On Tue, Oct 20, 2009 at 5:54 AM, <Stronglight49@aol.com> wrote:
> Here are three photos from a recent eBay auction (Item number:
> 310174417074). Excellent photos by eBay seller "driftwares" and
> for this reason perhaps deserving of the very high $129 final bid.
>
> http://i368.photobucket.com/
>
> http://i368.photobucket.com/
>
> http://i368.photobucket.com/
>
> These show a Simplex retro-friction shifter set with less commonly
> seen "feet" at the bottom edges of the lever arms. These were
> supports for slots which held the ends of the internal springs. Most
> models had slots cut into the upper sides of the lever arms, just above
> the mounting bolts, which serve the same purpose.
>
> Placing the slot at the bottom minimized the potential for moisture
> and dirt to fall into the spring chamber. Perhaps a nice idea, although
> not as graceful in overall appearance.
>
> Would this be the very earliest version? Can anyone give the correct
> production date for this particular variation?
>
> I would love to see any catalog images which show this minor feature.
> Perhaps Daniel Rebour observed these in an early trade show and
> presented them in "Le Cycle"? My earliest US catalog illustrations
> show the "final" version - although forged with the same lever arm
> design pattern.
>
> I believe the retro-friction levers were first introduced in 1973,
> although they were rarely if ever seen in the US for perhaps
> another 2 years.
> BOB HANSON, ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO, USA