Whimsical Whizzer Wednesday! Our Daily Dinner

Whimsical Whizzer Wednesday!

Good4U 10 years ago
Good morning everyone!
I have never heard of a Whizzer Motor Bike before!
Whizzer bicycle engines are a line of bicycle engines that were produced in the United States from 1939 to 1965. They were commonly sold as kits to be assembled and attached to a consumer's bicycle thus creating a motorized bicycle. Whizzer U.S.A. re-appeared in 1997 to sell an improved version, pre-assembled on an oldSchwinn-style bicycle frame.
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".
Whizzer motorcycle engines would cease to be produced in 1965 due to the increasingly competitive bicycle engine market.
In 1997, Whizzer motorcycles were brought back into production in the same style of the originals but with technological improvements.
This is one occasion where the word 'motorbike' literally means 'bicycle with a motor attached.' The original Whizzer bicycle motor was released in 1939 at a price of $54.95. By 1948, Whizzer had managed to sell more than 150,000 bolt-on units. They introduced the Pacemaker -- billed as the 'only complete motorbike' -- for $199.50 in June of 1948. The company's last engine design was released in 1952 before they morphed into Whizzer Industries, Inc. and diversified into toys, windows and sliding doors. To their credit, the factory continued to offer parts for the old bikes until 1965.
The Whizzer name was revived in 1998 and Whizzer USA Inc. began to offer a new range of retro-style motorbikes. As with many products, the modern version is manufactured in Taiwan. Their latest model is the Whizzer NE5. It's available in a 26 or 24-inch frame and sports a 1.95 HP 138cc 4-stroke engine. The stock model is capable of reaching speeds of 25 mph, although they're capable of much more than that with a bit of tweaking.

The company claims their bikes can be registered and insured as mopeds in many jurisdictions, but I'd check with the authorities before purchasing -- mopeds in my little corner of North America are restricted to a maximum engine displacement of 49cc. The Whizzer site doesn't list prices, but the NE5 with centrifugal clutch has been spotted for around $1595 on the web.
So there you have it folks!

Tina, Wow! What wonderful places you went last night! The Black Palm's site looks fabulous http://www.blackpalmrestaurant.com/ as well as the http://rococosteak.com/ and the http://www.marriott.com/hotel-restaurants/tpasr-the-vinoy-renaissance-st-petersburg-resort-and-golf-club/marchand's-bar-and-grill/74470/home-page.mi Talk about a luxurious night out on the town! You might enjoy it better today after you get a good night's sleep. I hope you are still sleeping peacefully right now:)

I am not up to much today except picking away at things in the dining room. Plus making Rita Meatballs Sauce for dinner tonight and they should simmer away most of the afternoon. So that should be easy after I clean up the mess after making them:) I am hoping a can make 36 good sized meatballs, then it is easy to divvy them up for the freezer.

Hoping everyone has an excellent day!
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NPMarie 10 years ago said:

Hi Joce! Now that's my kind of a bicycle..one with a motor! That would be perfect with all of the hills we have up here:) Yum on meatballs..great idea freezing some for later:)

Off to Chico to mow, then grocery shopping..I'll check back later...

Have a most wonderful day everyone:)

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mommyluvs2cook 10 years ago said:

Good morning/afternoon everyone! I have heard of a Whizzer before, I think from the show American Pickers...a show where two guys drive around the US digging through peoples stuff (with their permission) and try and find old valuable stuff to buy off them and resale for a lot more.
Omg everything on that Tapas menu sounds SO GOOD!!! Bet it was delicious Tina!! Wow, Rococo is FANCY! An aged steak for 78 bucks! At least it feeds 2 :)
Those meatballs sound so delicious Joce! I will get around to trying them one day.
Hi Marie, have fun grocery shopping and mowing :)
Took Caiden to the park earlier to get some of his energy out.
It's a pretty, sunny day...60 degrees, I want to grill again, so I am finally going to use my kaffir lime leaves from my freezer and make this Barbecue Chicken In Kaffir Lime Leaves. Not sure what to serve with it though...I guess just some Jasmine rice?
Wishing everyone a great day!

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Cosmicmother 10 years ago said:

I think I saw that on American Pickers too! We also have a Canadian Pickers show ;) The meatball recipes sounds so good Joce, I bookmarked it a little while ago to try soon!
Enjoy your day Marie!
Hi Michelle, that recipe looks good! I never knew about kaffir lime leaves. Rice sounds like a good side dish for it :)
No sun here today, it's been raining and snowing all day, very dreary. At least I am home with Sophie and not planning on going out anyways! I just finished making some cookies, I haven't baked in awhile. Now my kitchen is a mess, lol. I have no idea what's for dinner. Probably something from the pantry, pasta and sauce perhaps? No meat Wednesday for us!
I hope everyone is having a fantastic day :)

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chuckieb 10 years ago said:

Holy quiet in here today! Hope everyone had a good one. Very cool on the Black Palm Tina. Sounds like you had a very fun Monday night. That Grand Marnier creme brulee sounds to die for.
I've never heard of a Whizzer either Joce but it is a cool looking thing. Giggled at the first model being called a "Pacemaker". LOLOL. Pricy little beast though eh! Hope you made good progress on your dining room project.
How did you make out with mowing and groceries Marie? How's your Mom and Dad doing today?
LOL Michelle at taking Caiden to the park to get some of his energy out. Too bad you couldn't bottle it and resell it to those of us in need of some. :) I made that Kaffir chicken a few years back and we really enjoyed it. Not sure why I haven't made it since. Time to short list it I think. I remember it was very 'different' but very yummy. :)
I didn't know we had a Canadian pickers show Shona. Is that what's it's called? Ugh on the snow but cookies always make 'everything' better. :) Hope you figured out something easy and tasty for your dinner.
Benjamin had to work all day yesterday so Jim and I were on our own. I did a load of laundry (which was tricky as all the buttons have Chinese characters on them....Benj came and helped me figure it out though) and then Jim and I successfully navigated ourselves over to the National Palace Museum which holds the largest collection of Chinese artwork and artifacts in the world most of them belonging to the Ancient Emperors. There was a stunning garden called Zhishan Garden right next to it and we had a lovely walk around. The plants and shrubs, trees, birds here are all different of course so it's very interesting to poke about. We had a dim sum lunch at the Teahouse in the Museum. Found our way home and went to the night market and bought some fried chicken, fried soft shelled crab, a donair and some strawberries for our dinner.
Watched a movie with Alan Arkin, Christopher Walkin and Al Pacino "Stand Up Guys" on the TV in the evening. Laughed myself silly.
Benj has today off but has some stuff he needs to tend to in the morning and then this afternoon I think he's going to bring us to Pingxi where they do those lantern lighting festivals. I think it'll be a lovely jaunt. Hope everyone had a great day. Thursday morning here.

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Cosmicmother 10 years ago said:

Good morning Janet :)
Lol, I couldn't imagine trying to use a different washing machine with Chinese characters on the controls! That museum sounds so neat, I would love to see all those ancient artifacts from all the different dynasty's, so cool! Wow, the lantern lighting festival sounds like fun too! Sophia watches Ni Hao Kai-lan ( a cartoon) and has actually talked to me in Chinese! Lol, she often asks if we can make paper lanterns because of that show, she'd be so jealous if I told her you were going to that festival ;)
The Canadian Pickers has been around for a few years, on the history channel I think? I noticed some local channel was airing re-runs recently. This year is their last show, unless they get new guys? The two guys that do it are from Calgary and run an antique shop there. They're funny guys, and have travelled from Coast to Coast!
I just made some bow tie pasta in a tomato cream sauce for dinner. Pete is picking up some grocery's for me, I'm stocked for Easter weekend, just need a few things to tie us over the next couple days.
I just killed a huge mosquito!! It flew by me and I though it was a fly, I grabbed my slipper to kill it and could not believe it was a mosquito, a super-sized dinosaur freakin' mosquito!! I forgot how bad those buggers here are, now I'm not sure I want summer to come, lol ;)
Have a lovely day everybody!!

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notyourmomma 10 years ago said:

Did my shopping. We had steaks on the grill, baked potatoes and salad. After last night's excess, I did sleep late. Fred worked in the garage most of the day. Knock me over with a feather...he is cleaning the garage.

Made up a pepper/onion/feta salad for lunches. Prepped pineapple chunks for snacks. Made egg salad and tuna salad for sandwiches. Have gazpacho in the frig. Boiled enough eggs to devil them with a bit of horseradish. Put a crock pot of collards with onions, garlic and red pepper flakes. (I'm going to try to cream some of them....hmmm, experiment)

Sorry, Joce when I see the word whizzer, I think of Charlie Brown....LOL. neat information on the bike. Love meatballs simmered all day.

Shona, oh no! A mosquito that size would make me dread going outside, too. I love our antique pickers show in the States. They always amaze. The show Salvage Dogs is good too.

Michelle, thank goodness we only had drinks at Rococo...Fred had a great time exploring the building. Built in 1928 as a Funeral home originally and turned into the YWCA for a few years and then abandoned. It is super cool to see old buildings restored and cherished again. The entire interior is done in charcoal with white accents. It is lovely. I'd have to work another 10 hour overtime to afford a meal there. LOL Caiden sounds like a ball of energy. Fun days. I wish I had a batch of kaffir leaves!

Janet, loving all the pics on FB. I wouldn't know how to do the wash either....crazy. Glad you are hitting your stride. Have a wonderful day. I'd be so happy trying all the different foods...especially the noodle dishes and soups....much less the dumplings.

We had so much fun with the tapas plates, what a delicious way to share a meal. The Black Palm has restored the Jungle Prada building with an eye to the past. They have opened up arches, polished up the ornate floors, revitalized the bar area, added meeting rooms and banquet halls. It is GORGEOUS. The food was fun, and the service was impeccable. That Grand Marnier creme brulee was so good, it was sinful.

When we hit the Vinoy, it was after a long drive around Beach drive and lapping Straub park with the top down on the car, it was such a beautiful night. The starry skies, the twinkling white lights in the huge oaks in the park, the beautiful pinkish/coral Vinoy shimmering with coach lights....we pulled up to the valet, had a nice walk in the lobby. It is chock full of comfy furniture, Chihuly chandeliers, modern Alice In Wonderland white leather high back chairs, large oversized metal TIC TAC Do games, the rugs are plush and the colors are very modern deep aqua, cream and teal in swirls and circles. While the frescos and filigree painting in the cove ceilings are restored to the original peach and aqua, the hotel has updated the lobby beyond the 1920's to reflect a modern feel. The bar stools and lounge seating has been upholstered in deep coral with bronze accents. The main circular bar is flanked with two dining rooms of dark table tops and comfy upholstered dinner chairs. There is a huge grand piano under the grand cream and iron chandeliers at one end. There are two tall communal tables for drinks and snacking near the entrance. The floors are tiled but look like a dark wood. There are two large pony walls filled with bottles of wine. It is luxury. The Vinoy Marchand Grill chef has embraced a farm to table locally sourced menu. He has created a lovely diverse menu that features many local goods. Plus there is an early bird menu, 3 courses for 19.99. So my martini was $11.00. Two would be more than my dinner. LOL I do have to say the mixologist made a delectable, Key Lime Martini that was so delicious. Fred had a nice whiskey on the rocks and as a late night snack, home made pretzels with three dipping sauces. Our favorite was the curried mustard sauce, the second favorite was the sweet Thai chili, both were better than the warm cheddar dipper. The cheddar was too sharp, but the other two sauces were sublime. We have to give the early menu a try. And if I ever get a Sunday off, I want to do the brunch menu at Marchands. Mom used to love their buffet, they have changed the concept so it is more economical and I can't wait to give it whirl.

We had such a wonderful night and then today's grilled supper was so pleasant. It was like a mini vacation. I'm blessed to live in a town that I love so much with a hubby who can still be the romantic.

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chuckieb 10 years ago said:

I never heard of Ni Hao Kai-lan before Shona. That's kind of cool eh? Good for you being all set for the Easter weekend and your dinner sounded super yummy. THE main reason Jim and I want a screened in porch built is so we can enjoy the outdoors for a longer period and stay away from the mosquitoes. I swell up and itch LIKE CRAZY whenever I get bit. They drive me bazonkers!
Tina, you're simply killing me with your food and drink descriptions. HTG! The pineapple here is the best I've ever tasted and I tried Guava today but didn't really think a whole lot of it? Sort of like a bland apple? Maybe I need to try again. The watermelon and strawberries are good too. Just like you in Florida, Taipei gets great growing weather so I'm taking advantage while I'm here because of course at home we have to import virtually all fruit except for apples. I'd kill for a bowl of Gazpacho right now and I bet you doctor yours up nicely! :) Devilled eggs with horseradish? Drool. Rococo's architecture sounds so cool. Wow on the Chihuly chandeliers. Whenever I hear of Chihuly I think of Corinne. You so deserve a mini vacation. Glad you had such a lovely time. Jim went off with Benj to the hospital for his ear appointment but it turns out it's tomorrow and not this morning so I'm tickled I elected to stay home and google info on the computer. They're on their way now and then we'll go for our jaunt. What will I see today I wonder? It is all a delight. Night all. Sleep sweet Kimmer.

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