American-made Mopeds

Welcome. The three major American made mopeds from the 1970’s and 80’s were AMF Roadmaster with McCullough or Minarelli engines, Colombia Commuter, Open Road and Mopet with Sachs or Solo engines, and Murray mopeds with Puch engines. They have their own sections. Here in this section are all the others. 

Flag 1

 


1979 Wards E-Z Rider made in USA by Dialex Minarelli V1 engine

1979 Wards E-Z Rider made in USA by Dialex
Minarelli V1 engine

E-Z Rider         made in USA by Dialex     Minarelli V1

Dialex ID Plate

Dialex ID Plate

Montgomery Wards department stores, mostly in the eastern US, sold the E-Z Rider moped from about 1979-1981, made by Dialex Industries, Inc. 123 S. Newman St. Hakensack, New Jersey 07671 USA. Read more about Wards mopeds in Italian moped parts. Scroll way down to Wards.

1980 Dialex E-Z Rider Minarelli V1 engine

1980 Dialex E-Z Rider
Minarelli V1 engine

 

 

Wards/Dialex components: Minarelli V1 engine, CEV 6932 magneto, Dellorto SHA 14/12 carb, Grimeca 90mm hubs and brakes, Domino “70’s chrome” levers/controls, Peterson tail light, Stewart Warner head light and speedometer, Messinger solo seat, 2.25 x 16″ tires, plastic molded gas tank says “EZ Rider”

 


1980 Pedalpower G-200

1980 Pedalpower G-200

 Pedalpower       made by Puch (Austria) & Murray (USA)       Puch 1-speed

Pedalpower made electric bikes, electric trikes, electric power chairs, and this 49cc gasoline powered moped, the Pedalpower G-200. It is identical to the Murray 8320 (solo seat, 30mph) and Murray 8315 (solo seat, 25mph), made by Murray and Puch.  

 

 


1979 A.M. Tri Ped
Minarelli V1 engine

A.M. Tri-Ped      made in USA by American Microcar         Minarelli V1

Stuart Pivar was an American inventor in New York, New York, who designed, built, and patented this three wheeled moped in 1980. Then American Microcar Inc, in Farmingdale New York mass produced them. Some were electric but most came with a Minarelli V1 engine with pedals.

Pivar Tri Ped in action

A.M. Tri-Ped in action

American Microcar Tri-Ped

 

 

 

American Microcar Tri-Ped components: Minarelli V1 engine, Dellorto SHA 14/12 carburetor, CEV 6932 magneto, CEV “bullet” headlight, Grimeca hubs and brakes, Magura controls, Peterson tail light.

 

 


Info Three-Wheeler 2

Info Three-Wheeler 2

Pryer    made by Pryer(USA) and Puch,Tomos,or BM   various

Bonvicini Marino

Bonvicini Marino

Pryer is a trade name made up by Pryer Motorcraft, 4563 State Route 235, Ada Ohio 45810. Pryer is mostly known for their three wheeled mopeds (trikes). At least three different two-wheelers have been used to produce three-wheelers. Puch (Austria), Tomos (Yugoslavia), and Moto BM (Italy). The Italian (same as Gadabout) two wheel bikes were made in Bologna Italy, by Moto BM, and then converted into three wheelers in Ohio USA. Later Italian bikes were the Motomarina Raven kind. Various options were offered.

 

1978 Pryer Gadabout

1978 Pryer Gadabout
made by Moto BM

Pryer Owners Manual

Pryer Owners Manual
same for 2 or 3 wheeler

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Info Three-Wheeler 4

Info Three-Wheeler 4

Info Three-Wheeler 5

Info Three-Wheeler 5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After late 1992, some 1992-93 Tomos two-wheelers were converted into three-wheelers by Pryer, in the USA. The seat and everything behind it, the swinging rear frame, axles, brakes, wheels, etc, was American-made, pretty much. Everything forward of the seat was Slovenian-made, pretty much. There were different choices for the cargo box. Hot food, cold food, flat bed, or a small frame version with either a basket or a locking box. Because a Tomos automatic moped starts easy, with a backwards kick, even stationary with the rear tires on the ground, they make the best choice for a heavy-cargo trike. Other moped trikes with Puch or Minarelli engines must first get the trike moving forward above 7mph to start the engine. 

1992 Tomos A35 Bullet pizza trike

1992 A35 Bullet pizza trike

1993 Tomos pizza trike

1993 A35 Bullet pizza trike

1992 Tomos Ice Cream Trike

1992 A35 Bullet ice cream trike

.

.

.

.

.

.

 

 

 


Tri-Rad     made in USA by Mopeds Midwest     Puch or Tomos

Tri-Rad is a trade name made up by Mopeds Midwest (MM), 320 Main St, Ames Iowa 50010.

Info Three-Wheeler 1

Info Three-Wheeler 1

Info Three-Wheeler 3

Info Three-Wheeler 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the time these were considered bicycles, so they could motor to the beach, turn the engine off, and pedal down the boardwalk selling ice cream or pizza. Too bad the deluxe three wheeled moped, with differential drive, and hot/cold food box, costed more than some automobiles! That was the only thing that was not three times as rad.

 


Whizzer     made in USA by Whizzer Motor Co. (1939-1965)
Whizzer     made in Taiwan by Polar Motor Co. (1998-2009)
    

1940 Whizzer ad

1939-1948 from Wikipedia:

The Whizzer bicycle engine was first produced in 1939 by Breene-Taylor Engineering, a Los Angeles-based manufacturer of airplane parts. By 1942, sales of the engines had not been entirely successful, having sold only about 2500 units. The Whizzer operation was then sold to Dietrich Kohlsatt and Martin Goldman.

By 1943, World War II was well underway, and Whizzer Motors were forced to lobby the United States Government for the right to continue production of what was argued to be a great way for defense workers to travel to and from work.  In 1948, Whizzer sold its first pre-assembled motorized bicycle, the “Pacemaker”. 

 

1948 Whizzer ad for the bike motor kit, price $97, 2½ horsepower. It says “Fits all popular makes of mens ballon tire bicycles. Over 3500 Whizzer dealers at your service.”

1951 ad has motor kit $109,
Ambassador $249 (26″ tires)
Sportsman $249 (24″ tires)
Pacemaker $199 (26″ tires)

1952 Whizzer ad has the motor kit for $109,
and the Sportsman bike for $239, with 138cc
3 horsepower two-speed automatic motor.
From Whizzer Motor Company,
306 S Sanford St, Pontiac Michigan.
Note that the ad says 20″ wheels, which means the rim size. The tire size was 24″ outer diameter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1948-1954 from whizzermotorbike.com

May 1948: Dietrich Kohlsaat announced that they had sold 150,000 Whizzer engines. The company had over 12 dozen warehouses nationwide that supplied 3500 dealers.

Whizzer announced the Model “J” engine, which had a chrome-plated exhaust pipe and fittings, a new, more-reliable Carter carburetor, and motorcycle-type twist-grip controls. Whizzer sold about 51,000 Model “J” motors at a cost of $97.55.

June 1948: Whizzer introduced the “Pacemaker,” which the company referred to as the “only complete motorbike.” The bike came with the Model “J” engine already attached to the frame and ready to run. The “Pacemaker” retailed for $199.50

Sep 1949: In order to keep pace with its new competition, Whizzer released the Model “300” Motor. This new engine had 7/8 in. valves, a more efficient combustion chamber, better cooling, and a higher compression ratio. These changes resulted in a 3 hp engine that could reach speeds of 40 mph. Whizzer sold about 15,000 Model “300” motors at $109.97 each.

Note that the displacement (138 cc) remained the same on the more powerful “300” motor.

Whizzer released the “Sportsman” motorbike, which was much more like a real motorcycle. The “Sportsman” abandoned pedals altogther and used a kickstarter to get the bike going. The “Sportsman” cost $224.50 for the Standard edition, which had a clutch transmission, and $239.50 for the Deluxe edition, which sported the Bi-Matic automatic transmission.

1951: Whizzer released the “Ambassador,” a motorbike similar to the “Sportsman” but with a full-size frame, larger tires, and greater overall length. The “Ambassador” was the top-of-the-line, with a gloss black finish, ivory trim, and chrome-plating. The Ambassador sold for $249.50, making it Whizzer’s most expensive product.

1952: The company introduced its last major motorbike engine, the “700.” This motor was in many respects similar to the “300,” but it included a new carburetor, a sealed-beam headlight, and a taillight.

 

1947 Whizzer Luxembourg
(made in Europe)

1948 Whizzer Pacemaker
(made in USA)

1951 Whizzer 138cc flathead 2hp

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1955-1965 from whizzermotorbike.com:

Whizzer Motorbike Company changed names to become Whizzer Industries, Inc. and began to expand into other areas of production. Whizzer Industries produced childrens’ toys and wagons as well as windows and sliding doors. The company continued to sell parts for Whizzer engines and bikes until 1965, but times had changed and the Whizzer was no longer king.

 

 

1997-2009: Whizzer motorized bicycles were revived by the “new” Whizzer Motorbike Company, 4751 Glenn Curtis, Addison Texas 75001. They were reproduced in Taiwan by Polar Motor Co. Ltd, in the same style and quality of the originals but with technological improvements. The new side-valve “flathead” motors had the same displacement, 138 cc. But the power and speed were less, 1.95 hp instead of 3.0, and 25-30 mph instead of 35-40. Here are the new Whizzer models, condensed from whizzermotorbike.com: 

12/1998 – 12/2000 Classicxxxxxxx  manual clutch,   black x   with 26″ tires.
01/2000 – 12/2000 Blue Sportsman,manual clutch,   blue xx   with 24″ tires, more accessories.
01/2000 – 12/2000 Black Knight, xxmanual clutch,   black x    with 24″ tires, more accessories.
01/2001 – 12/2001 Pacemaker II,automatic clutch vintage maroon 26″ tires, more chrome.
01/2001 – 12/2001 Pacemaker II,automatic clutch vintage maroon 24″ tires, more chrome.
06/2001 – 12/2003 Pacemaker II, xmanual clutch  vintage maroon 26″ tires, more chrome.
06/2001 – 12/2003 Pacemaker II, xmanual clutch  vintage maroon 24″ tires, more chrome.
01/2002 – 12/2003 Pacemaker II xxmanual clutch,   midnight blue 26″ tires.
01/2002 – 12/2003 Pacemaker II xxmanual clutch,   midnight blue 24″ tires.
01/2002 – 12/2003 Pacemaker II xxmanual clutch candy apple red 26″ tires.
01/2002 – 12/2003 Pacemaker II xxmanual clutch candy apple red 24″ tires.
01/2003 – 09/2004 Panther, xxxxxxmanual clutch,   black xx  with 24″ tires.
10/2004 – 10/2005 NE5, xxxxxxxxxmanual clutch,   sapphire blue, 26″ tires, first major changes since 1998.
10/2004 – 10/2005 NE5, xxxxxxxxxmanual clutch,    ruby red with 26″ tires, first major changes since 1998.
01/2005 – 10/2006 NE5, xxxxxxxxxmanual clutch,   sapphire blue, 24″ tires.
01/2005 – 10/2006 NE5, xxxxxxxxxmanual clutch,   ruby red with 24″ tires.
02/2005 – 10/2006 NE5, xxxxxxxxxmanual clutch,    ultra black, x 24″ tires.
11/2005 – 01/2009 NE5 xxxxxxx new auto clutch,   sapphire blue, 26″ tires.
11/2005 – 01/2009 NE5 xxxxxxx new auto clutch,    
ruby red with 26″ tires.
11/2005 – 01/2009 NE5 xxxxxxx new auto clutch,    ultra black, 26″ tires.
11/2005 – 08/2006 NE5 xxxxxxx new auto clutch,   sapphire blue, 24″ tires.
11/2005 – 08/2006 NE5 xxxxxxx new auto clutch,    ruby red with 24″ tires.
11/2005 – 08/2006 NE5 xxxxxxx new auto clutch,    ultra black, x 24″ tires.
09/2006 – 01/2009 NE5 xxxxxxx new auto clutch   forest green, x 26″ tires.
09/2006 – 01/2009 NE5 xxxxxxx new auto clutch  vibrant yellow   26″ tires.
09/2006 – 01/2007 NE5 xxxxxxx new auto clutch  vintage maroon 26″ tires.
03/2008 – 12/2009 Ambassador  auto clutch CVT    black xxxxxxx 26″ tires, wider rims, electric start, chopper style
12/2008 – 12/2009 NE-R xxxxxx auto clutch CVT    black xxxxxxx 26″ tires, wider rims, disc brakes, speedo, tach 
02/2009 – 12/2009 NE-R xxxxxx auto clutch CVT    blue xxxxxxxx 26″ tires, wider rims, disc brakes, speedo, tach
02/2009 – 12/2009 NE-R xxxxxx auto clutch CVT    red xxxxxxxxx 26″ tires, wider rims, disc brakes, speedo, tach

 

1998 Classic (26″ tires)

1999 Classic (26″ tires)

1999 Whizzer ID
made in Taiwan by
Polar Motor Co Ltd

2000 Whizzer Classic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2000 Whizzer Sportsman (24″ tires)

2002 Pacemaker II (26″ tires)

2004 Panther (24″ tires) $1445
2004 Pacemaker II (26″ tires) $1745
2004 Whizzer engine kit $850

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2003 Pacemaker II (26″ tires)

2005 Whizzer NE5 (24″ tires)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2005 Whizzer NE5 (26 x 2 tires)

2007 Whizzer NE5 (26 x 2 tires)

In 2005 the engine was improved. One improvement visible in photos was bigger aluminum cooling fins. Notice how you can’t see the right rear cylinder stud on a 2005-on, but you can on a pre-2005. The deeper cooling fins cover it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

2008 NE5 green (26 x 2 tires)

2008 Ambassador (26 x 3 tires)

2009 Whizzer NE-R (26 x 3 tires)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Myrons Mopeds does not have any actual Whizzer parts, other than things that are the same as other mopeds. Use Woodstock Whizzer for most parts requests.


Other Motorbikes with Whizzer Engines 

 

Crossbow Cycles

2014 Cruzzer sold by Woodstock Whizzer Works

Woodstock Whizzer Works is in Woodstock Illinois.

http://woodstockwhizzer.com/index.htm 

Their senior technician Ralph Westman has over 50 years experience. They do sales, service, parts, restorations, and performance modifications. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Flag 1