Pre 1950s rides of LFGSS: old bikes, vintage rats, classic lightweights

Im assuming model 12 is longer than the 14 if so it's no good, I have an unbranded bb which is 135mm and it's to long.
Thanks for the offer but I have the cups thanks 2 sets and 2 single speed axles.
I have a Chater lea model 1815/2 bb Im going to give that a try but I'm sure it's still to short, problem is I Am using a Simplex competition (clanger) type front changer which leaves no room for adjustment.

I picked up this Paris Cycles tandem today. Looking forward to building it up. I don't know how to date it yet but will be between around 1942 and 1955.

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Awesome! I've got a Paris Tour de France, that is a bit of a slow burn project..... this might give me the kick up the bum I need to get on with it!

You should definitely complete your Tour de France. You should post some pictures. These Paris bikes are beautifully made. There is more information available for the Tour de France than the tandems unfortunately for me.

May be of interest:

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Matching pre-‘52 gear is a bit of an ask! There’s loads of original and repro stuff from the 60s or newer, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen 40s or early 50s kit.

Oh, wow, I'd give my left nut for that but timings don't work for this year unfortunately.

https://www.3mcaverni.com/categoria-prodotto/ciclismo-vintage/ciclismo-vintage-abbigliamento/page/3

ZOMG, nice one! That’s quite reasonably priced as well.

I took my A.S.Gillott out around Maidstone today, (see earlier in this thread). The picture shows the bike leaning up against Sutton Valence castle.
it's far from finished but I was testing out the Simplex gearing. I picked up the Simplex cranks and chairing from EBay.France and had the pedal threads re-tapped to fit English pedals. The French cotters are 9mm to the English 9.5mm but it fitted perfectly on my NOS Chater Lea BB., which incidentally at 125mm in length was just about long enough for a double chainring.
The front derrailleur (Simplex Competition) is great fun to use and works effiently enough. The rear derrailleur (Simplex Tour de France) is only working on the largest 3 cogs for the moment.
You probably know this but It's confusing as its sprung in the opposite direction to a contemporary derrailleur, so as you pull the gear lever towards you it pulls the derrailleur down to the smaller cogs.
I am now on the look out for a set of Airlite hubs or similar, I have a set of Asp tub rims and a 4 speed Resilion cassette waiting in the wings.

Simplex gears

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As Gillott

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Competition front changer

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Rear 4 speed TDF.
The hubs are campagnolo first generation or second at the moment with a 5 speed Regina hub.

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durax cranks

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Lovely stuff. Need to sort out my Gillott asap

is the rear derailleur a 4 speed for 1/8" chain or 3/32", and what width chain are you using?
Getting the derailleur in the correct position 'at rest' is critical, as well as making sure it is aligned and not bent.
http://veterancycleclublibrary.org.uk/ncl/pics/Simplex%20Tour%20de%20France%20notes%20(V-CC%20Library).pdf
or do as I do, and accept 3 speeds is all you are going to get out of a 4 speed 1/8" rear derailleur.

@Big_Block
I bought the derrailleur from EBay described as a 4 speed 3/32 but there is no description or markings to prove this. The chain is 3/32.
I think a set of airlite hubs and 4speed cassette will correct any problems I have with the current set up

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Remember these had little range, so check that you are within the narrow band.
The variations in parts are set out at http://www.classiclightweights.co.uk/simplex-instruction.html
and Peter Underwood had some advice at http://www.classiclightweights.co.uk/simplex_adjustment.html
which I used when setting up mine.

Is that chain routing through the jockey wheels correct?

Hmmm! Good call @Jonny69
I think the routing is correct but I have added more tension to the changer spring. It seems to have improved performance, however it still cannot reach the bottom two cogs.
Thanks @Big_Block useful info.

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So should that rear jockey wheel be up and back like that with the chain in front of it and not swung down and forwards like a modern derailleur? I can’t tell because the pictures online seem to have it either way, but I can’t help feeling it would work better if it was the other way round (assuming the jockey cage is sprung and can swing forwards).