If you buy a copy of the 1950 Tabucchi catalogue from Chuck Schmidt at Velo-Retro, you'll find a load of useful info on the TdF derailleur, including setting up the 3, 4 and 5 speed versions.
Neil Foddering Weymouth, England.
>From: joebz@optonline.net
>To: MARK <mhoffman0@snet.net>
>CC: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
>Subject: Re: [CR]adjusting Simplex T de F style derailleur
>Date: Tue, 06 Jun 2006 15:51:48 +0000 (GMT)
>
>Full proper adjustment of a TDF takes about an hour of iteration. There are
>many tension variables for the chain. It is well worth getting it right.
>
>As to the travel, there is a threaded collar that adjusts, if I remember,
>the inner throw and the outer is just the limit of the mechanism.
>
>It is best to let some kind soul at the Cirque set this up for you. I have
>no idea how French bike shops looked their customers in the eye and charged
>them for an hours labor to get their TDF just right in the 1950's.
>
>Joe Bender-Zanoni
>Great Notch, NJ
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: MARK
>Date: Tuesday, June 6, 2006 8:12 am
>Subject: [CR]adjusting Simplex T de F style derailleur
>To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
>
> > After putting in a long day getting a 50's vintage Dawes
> > "presentable" to bring to the party, I discover I know zip about
> > adjusting the Tour de France-style Simplex derrailleur. the
> > inward stop is currently on the middle of three rear cogs. How
> > do you adjust it to move inward? And, then, how is outward
> > movement stopped?
> >
> > Alternately, I will leave the cable dangling and someone can
> > show me in person on Friday.
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Mark Hoffman,
> > New Britain, CT