Originally Posted by
non-fixie
[Need help with Simplex 537/p] At least, that is what I think this model is...
The "official" name of the derailleur that you have was the Simplex
PresTige CRITERIUM AR537.
There's some conflicting info on velobase.com and on
http://www.disraeligears.co.uk. I'm going with information on velo-pages.com.
The Simplex
PresTige CRITERIUM AR537 was introduced in 1966 and in production until 1970 when the then new (and improved) CRITERIUM AR637NI replaced it.
PresTige became name of the PRESTIGE model which was the omnipresent black Delrin derailleur that destroyed the French bicycle industry!
The "NI" indicates the derailleur was designed to attach directly onto a dropout with an integral gear hanger. The "P" version came with a "Claw Hanger".
1966 Simplex
PresTige CRITERIUM flyer from velo-pages.com
Originally Posted by
non-fixie
Anyway, I like it, and I want to use it.
I liked these older model derailleurs with the dark blue face plate better than the ones with the shiny silver foil parallelograms. I only recall ever seeing a few of them "in the flesh".
By the time I got into working on French bikes back in 1973, most of the 537 RDs had been replaced. They had some weaknesses - see below.
Originally Posted by
non-fixie
I can't figure out how to mount it correctly on a Campagnolo hanger. If that is at all possible.
The problem is that the tab that should keep it at the right angle is not in the expected position, which is - more or less - at one o'clock (viewed from the drive side).
The location of the spring and the slot in the mounting plate keep the tab firmly at five o'clock:
The only thing I can think of is that this was meant for a Huret hanger.
Or am I missing something?
Huret? NON! NON! NON!
The problem is the upper pivot bolt is damaged.
It should have flats on the end like this one to fit into the travel stop plate:
This is the stop plate from a 637 but it shows how it should fit over the pivot bolt.
Another later model Simplex RD. They continued using this poorly designed "feature" until the bitter end.
Munged end on the upper pivot bolt. This happens when someone tries to remove the derailleur with the hex opening in the upper pivot. It rounds off the end.
I've been able to save some of these pivot bolts by carefully forcing the end to fit into the stop plate using a tapered punch with a sharp point.
All of the post 1970 RD had plugs in the hexes to prevent this.
1971 CRITERIUM AR637P - notice how the travel stop tab fits over the front of the dropout hanger. This is a Campy dropout but it works the same on Simplex dropouts. Also note the red nylon plugs. Later all metal Simplex RDs had natural colored nylon plugs.
Originally Posted by
non-fixie
I've checked this forum's posts that I could find on the Simplex Criterium - amongst which
this helpful one by [MENTION=61614]verktyg[/MENTION]. They all show the later model, which has the spring in a different location. So I can't replace the mounting plate with one from a later model.
I don't think that you'll be able to repair the pivot bolt end on your RD. It takes a part number 2549 which may be next to impossible to find to around a 50 year old derailleur that wasn't very common.
You may end up having to use the more common AR637NI derailleur. Good luck.
verktyg