No, the hubs are J.Simplex, the wheelset is original to the bike. These hubs were manufactured exclusively for Simplex by Exceltoo, they were equal to their top line velo de course Professionel model. I believe they were introduced in 1960? The second owner of this bike, had it given to him by it's original owner who purchased it in late 1959 from an L.A. bike shop, that specialized in European road bikes. The original owner of the bike had hung it on his garage wall since 1955, after he had been in a car accident that damaged his leg and could no longer ride. The second owner, his next door neighbor's son, saw it hanging in the elderly gentleman's garage and asked if he could buy it? The old man, who had no family other than his neighbors who looked after him, took it down off the wall and gave it to the boy in 2010. Immediately, this high school kid decided it make a pretty cool fixie project!! Lacking mechanical skills, he had his Mom take it to a local Whittier, CA bike shop, where he had them swap the original wheelset with 700c fixie aero wheels. The bike mechanics were horrified at his request and tried to buy the bike from him. He turned their offer down and said there were other shops in the area, if they didn't want the job. They did not argue with his request. Fortunately, the shop told him to keep the parts they pulled off the bike and he did, almost.
When I acquired it, the original Simplex downtube guide and left crank arm dust cap were missing. I used a Campy downtube cable guide/stop out of my parts bin while I was reassembling the bike. I did not want the original parts laying around my shop while I was looking for the replacement. Eventually, I found the correct era Simplex guide on eBay. I will replace it when I finish it up, tape the bars and install the brake cable. The wood plug in the bottom of the steer tube was gone as well. I am amazed the graphics are in such remarkable preservation, the blue Simplex decal on the Juy 60 RD is intact!
Any thoughts on the bikes value? I'm 70 and like the bike's original owner, have no family to pass it on to. I love the machine. But I know at some point my declining health will force it's sale.
I am not sure about your question on the 2 digit number on the crank spindle, I have a Stronglight crank puller, but don't want to pull the crank to find a couple numbers. What is the significance of this 2 digit number? Thanks, Larry