You're right, the chain is run through the rear derailleur incorrectly, or the wrong kind of wrong. Easy enough to fix.
Mark Bulgier Seattle WA USA
Dan Kehew wrote
>
> Re: Item # 330117204771
>
> I know that this era of Simplex rear derailleurs had a funky chain
> line, but was it really THIS funky chain line? Don't have my "Dancing
> Chain" handy, and while the looks wrong it doesn't feel like the
> correct wrong, if you know what I mean. I thought the Simplex should
> have the wheel that's furthest from the coil toward the hub, rather
> than away....
>
> Art Link wrote:
> > It's raining Automotos--second one in a month.Ebay lists a 1952
> > Automoto, complete, #330117204771.