Good luck. I don't think it is a Super LJ 5500, as I believe that designation would have been reserved for the top of the line all alloy model. But as you say there was a bewildering array of Simplex models, several of which were essentially the same as the SLJ except for using various combinations of steel, Delrin and alloy. Maybe Chuck Schmidt has some Simplex catalogs that would sort that out. Simplex was never very good about model differentiation. One of the factors leading to their demise was that both the infamous plastic Prestige RD and the actually quite good plastic Criterium RD were marked "Simplex Prestige". The Criterium was not marked as such anywhere and tended to get a bad reputation by association with the cheaper Prestige.
Regards,
Jerry Moos Big Spring, TX
Reid Fisher <reidfisher@hotmail.com> wrote: Calling all francophiles: What model is this Simplex rear derailleur in my parts pile? I'm lost in a forest of Simplex models, and am guessing it's a "Super LJ Model 5500" from the mid-70's but correct me if I'm wrong. From a review of the archives, here seem to be the relevant bits: vertical parallelogram geometry; aluminum upper and lower pivot castings both with "S and star" logo; black steel mounting claw/ear; chrome steel pivot bolts; bronze w/ black lettering badge "Simplex"; parallelogram legs are steel w/ a black Delrin(?) infilling; short cage; Simplex plastic jockey/tension wheels. There seem to be tiny, illegible partial stamped numbers/letters on the rear of the upper pivot casting, and a larger partial "D" or "G" (?) stamped on the front of the lower pivot casting. Maybe all this detail is a "so what?" but there seem to be so many Simplex derailleurs I'm lost. What bike should this go on? Any details I left out? I can email pix, sorry I don't have a site to post them on. I know some of the Simplex derailleurs get trash talked, but have to say I got thousands of trouble-free miles from the Delrin "Prestige" model on my first Peugeot.
Reid Fisher
San Martin , California