Really cool picture there @vcballbat - it's surprising that I can't seem to find pictures of the old Le Simplex factory in Dijon.
There was one of those for sale not long ago, @Woz posted it at the inn I thinkFound this cool display of Simplex at the library today
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So pretty though its painful.Pulled the Simplex 46/49 double chainring apart, gave it all a good clean, assembled it all and put them on the Stronglight Competition cranks.
So basically, exactly like this:
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Now the fine print - both chain rings are driven more outboard compared to the original Huret TdF rings. There is absolutely no way there is space for a chain and a Huret suicide lever front derailleur between the outer ring and the crank arm. I don't get it, unless the Simplex suicide lever front derailleur is much thinner. The gap is only about 4.8mm.
Very frustrated that I can't see it working after a mock up
EDIT: There's one for sale on Ebay for a crazy amount and that looks too close as well
So pretty though its painful.