The Yellow Jacket build thread

datz510 · #1 04-20-2009, 12:21 PM

I figured I should make a thread for my yellow Whizzer that I traded my Rotten Orange to lennyharp for. The bike is gonna be one mean Whizzer, so i'm calling it the Yellow Jacket!

Here is the Whizzer and I at the Death Race 2009 event this weekend:

Couple more pics of the bike:

This thread is going to cover the modifications I'll be making to the bike. For now, I'll start small and then work my way up to something wild in the next few months.

NEAT TIMES · #2 04-20-2009, 04:31 PM

Datz, A Fine Machine For Sure. In 1951 I Bought A Brand New Whizzer "rear Wheel Pulley ". I Think We Paid $3.25. That Seems High For That Time. I Wonder If Anybody Has An Old Price List. Ron

NEAT TIMES · #3 04-20-2009, 04:50 PM

Can You Start The Motor When On That Center Stand? I Think The Old Whizzers Had That Heavy Duty Unit On The Rear Axle And A Latch On The Rear Tip Of The Fender, Maybe It Was On My 1936 Harley. RON

datz510 · #4 04-20-2009, 05:26 PM

Yep, I use the center stand all the time for starting up the bike. It is more than adequate to hold the bike and myself.

Yesterday, I got the majority of the issues sorted on the Whizzer. The low rpm power issue turned out to be caused by the intake valve having over 0.020" of lash in it. I set it to 0.006" and she runs great now! It gained even more low end torque when I reinstalled the baffle in the exhaust, so I ordered up a spare one so I could experiment with modifying the baffle length.

I ordered a slew of parts for the Whizzer for the first round of modifications. I'll be posting up as I get them installed. The bike is going to be really retro.

azbill · #5 04-20-2009, 08:06 PM

was wondering how long it would take till ya just had to tinker

this is gonna be a fun thread !!!

commander · #6 04-21-2009, 05:05 AM

thats a very nice looking bike, and about as close to a moped as any I have seen here. It is impressive to be sure, how do you like the belt drive vs chain drive. My guess it would be quieter and less greasy maybe ?

datz510 · #7 04-21-2009, 11:51 AM

Love the belt
drive! It is very quiet and clean. I do miss the positive engagement of chain drive though.

The Whizzer is definitely closer to a moped. It is terrible to pedal for more than 100ft or so.

Legally here in AZ, I had to register it as a motorcycle due to the large displacement.

commander · #8 04-21-2009, 02:32 PM

haha yea pedaling these MB can be hazardous to ones health for sure , but any way I look at it your MB is simply one beautiful piece of work. Makes me really want to put some effort in to my next build .

thx for posting these pics, they have given me inspiration for real

datz510 · #9 04-21-2009, 06:21 PM

Just for the record, aside from getting it running right, I really havent done much to this bike.. I didnt build it. This is a 2008 Whizzer that lennyharp bought and then I traded him my Rotten Orange build for this bike.

lobsterboyx · #10 04-22-2009, 06:36 PM

very cool - does it have an auto clutch? when you re-did the valve lash, did you change the lifters? whats that filter thing with the tube that goes down the back of the bike?

i just got done doing a half ass overhaul of my whizzer, new head gasket, intake manifold, mushroom lifters, advancing the cam and setting a new lash.

just a few conversations with mike and quinten cleared up a lot of questions i had!