Modern Buddy

So I was riding home from a group ride tonite and rode up on a couple mosquito mopeds. I had seem some of these from afar, but never up close. They are the ones that still have pedals, and what sounds like 15cc motors underneath. THEY LOOK LIKE SO MUCH FUN!!! I am kinda looking into picking one up, does anyone here have one, or know where I should start looking?

like this
http://www.mopedarmy.com/photos/catagory/2/2152/
http://www.mopedarmy.com/photos/catagory/2/714/

Mopeds are very trendy in these parts these days and the prices (locally) on them have been climbing.

There are some cool new ones coming into the US, but there still seem to be plenty for sale on craigslist & eBay. These days it seems you can't get a decent one for under $800 around here.

We had several join in a ride for a recent rally and it was pretty hilarious. They can dart out pretty fast, but those guys were peddling like crazy in the hills.

I saw a guy yesterday on the road with one of those engines you connect to your bicycle. It was a beach cruiser. What was funny was that he had a FF on. He has my props, though.

Anybody have experience with the Whizzer NE5?
I've been wanting one, but to test ride it I'd have to actually order one...

They sure look good if nothing else... and they have a 138cc 4stroke engine?!

KRUSTYburger wrote:Anybody have experience with the Whizzer NE5?
I've been wanting one, but to test ride it I'd have to actually order one...

They sure look good if nothing else... and they have a 138cc 4stroke engine?!

That is very, very, cool. I like it because nobody else would have one like it!

KRUSTYburger wrote:Anybody have experience with the Whizzer NE5?
I've been wanting one, but to test ride it I'd have to actually order one...
They sure look good if nothing else... and they have a 138cc 4stroke engine?!

I had looked into these several years ago. If I'm not mistaken, I think you can purchase the engine and drive train mechanism alone. You'd just need the proper sized cycle to install it on. I did see one on the street, once.

EDIT: Krusty: YOu might want to email one of the two clubs they have. I'd almost bet they know of someone in your neck of the woods that would let you check them out. PS I don't think you'll give up your buddy though.

You might be surprised at what the vintage ones go for today.

if i'm not mistaken the whizzer was originally made by schwinn in the fourties or fifties

robonz23 wrote:if i'm not mistaken the whizzer was originally made by schwinn in the fourties or fifties

Yas... And I had a nutty but courageous uncle who rode a Whizzer from TN up to NYC (and back), to visit my mom in the 1940's!! -Course traffic patterns and roads were quite different then... Not only were the roads more local with lots of stopping areas, vehicles were also slower and most car drivers were FAR more conscious than the speed-crazed drivers of today of sharing the road with other slower vehicles! (Such as horse-drawn milk wagons, delivery wagons, farm wagons, junk wagons, and even powered bicycles..!)

(There were still horse and wagon stables in NYC in the 1950's, and we kids used to hitch rollerskate and bicycle rides onto the backs of junk wagons that still went plop-plopping down neighborhood streets!)

I think one of those Whizzers today tho will set you back for something close to $3K!!!

[quote="Drumwoulf
I think one of those Whizzers today tho will set you back for something close to $3K!!![/quote]

pleasefeedthedog wrote: I had looked into these several years ago. If I'm not mistaken, I think you can purchase the engine and drive train mechanism alone. You'd just need the proper sized cycle to install it on. I did see one on the street, once.

A guy here in STL used to sell the "add on" engines... they had a similar name to Whizzer.. but were NOT Whizzers... they were Chinese 50cc engines or somethin...

robonz23 wrote:if i'm not mistaken the whizzer was originally made by schwinn in the fourties or fifties

Whizzer had Schwinn make the frames in the first few years of the company, but later started making their own frames. AFAIK, they've always made their own engines.
Another friend of mine here in STL is really into restoring the old models...

By the way this is the history as told by them:

http://www.whizzermotorbike.com/History.html

I also got word from Whizzer USA Inc. regarding the kits:


Dog:

Thank you for your mail. Yes, we were selling an engine kit several months ago but we have discontinued the kit, we only sell the compleat bikes at this time.

Best Regards,

Dave La Lone
Whizzer U.S.A., Inc.
Ride the Legend
Toll-free 877-WHIZZER (944-9937)
Phone: 972-418-5900
Fax: 972-418-5902