Risky's 2008 Ambassador II Whizzer Rebuild

[Wrench]

Thanks… figured you fixed your tail light

I had to install grommets in my rear fender too, Taiwan Joe forgot or figured he would save a few pennies

 

[Risk Man]

I had to install grommets in my rear fender too, Taiwan Joe forgot or figured he would save a few pennies

Ditto. And of course, I covered that harness and all of the others with the Alex Tech covering to make it cleaner and bullet proof!

 

[Risk Man]

Long day..... wiring gremlins..... Too many hours. First Tail light and brake light, no starter. Then some minor adjustments, starter working, Brake light (not Tail light only break light) all turn signals functioning ( plug and test till working, front and back) but now no power to tail light, and no starter. Think there is one bad connection for both. They should both be hot with ignition... how time flies when you are not making progress and going back and forth... all day job.

I think the most frustrating issue is most all of the components (except the battery) are AC not DC. So Positive and negative voltage tests are Mute...
Need to start fresh ..... Stay tuned.

 

[Risk Man]

Final, but critical issues bringing it all home....

The splined shaft that is the oneway gear for starting and main drive pully threads into the crank shaft (after flywheel is pressed on) but the threads are standard right hand thread. And as you know the engine rotates counter clockwise to drive the bike which means it will unscrew this main drive shaft under rotation. Whizzer apparently used some super human thread lock (See white residue in pick of my shaft removal) that with heat and force is removeable. To further complicate, and old photo from Quention explaining the drive shaft removal from 2012, also shows a Jam Nut on that shaft between the oneway plate and the flywheel. Mine did not have that part so is that a modifier or just there for illustration purpose.

So I tried to use red locktite and perhaps I did not use enough or did not torque it tight enough. After getting the engine to run briefly (Yeah!!) while turning over the shaft spun off! Lucky it was not under power at the time. That is the next problem is holding the crank shaft with this plate in the way to torque the end of this long shaft with nuts on the outside end. For reference it is about 5 inches long.

I have heard of using superglue, but then it may never be removable but that residue in the picture looks a lot like superglue residue....

So, WWFMD? (What would forum members do?) Copious Red Locktite, Superglue, Bolt in spark plug hole to hold the crankshaft (I did try this but felt a bit of "spring" from all the moving parts to the piston I think, maybe is it safe to do that)

All input and Jury Rigging is appreciated. A photo shows how I did hold the flywheel the first time, but it was less than perfect.

 

[Dogsoldier]

Whizzer used a leaded white paint with lead powder mixed in. Heat would soften the lead, force could then loosen nut or bolt. I believe this technique was used before 1950, I think. It made one heck of a thread locker after drying.

 

[Gordy]

638 loctite? That's what members tend to use on their hub adapters. And I wouldn't use a bolt in the sp hole since that could cause a ding in the piston, but I've had success putting Paracord down the sp hole to hold things in place.

 

[Risk Man]

638 loctite? That's what members tend to use on their hub adapters. And I wouldn't use a bolt in the sp hole since that could cause a ding in the piston, but I've had success putting Paracord down the sp hole to hold things in place.

Thanks... I was concerned with the bolt as well. Wrench mentioned the rope idea as well. 638 Locktite? Did not see that one on their site.. need to recheck

EDIT- Looked it up and it is as you described. Only concern is heat. Indicates heat tolerance to 355 degrees F. Not sure if crankshaft gets that hot or not. Also costs $25 plus shipping!

EDIT # 2- Found 620 bearing retainer... seems to have all the properties. Higher temp and thicker viscosity and very high shear strength.

 

[Gordy]

Thanks... I was concerned with the bolt as well. Wrench mentioned the rope idea as well. 638 Locktite? Did not see that one on their site.. need to recheck

Not quite sure how it works on bolts...

Amazon.com

 

[Risk Man]

So I brought home the new project today. When someone locally advertises a Whizzer for under $500, you have to go look at it. I was lucky enough that the seller was settling the estate of their next door neighbor from Germany and while my lovely wife was in the hospital suddenly for two days last weekend, she agreed to hold it for me for a couple of days before I could go look at it. Was very concerned for that asking price,it would be gone quick. I went to see it two days later, and I bought it for less than asking though it was a bit rougher than the pictures she posted.

I know nothing about the radical mechanics of this " Most Advanced Whizzer" model before they ceased production and distribution of all bikes when they subsequently released the NE-R with NE-5 style and Ambassador upgrades the least of which was the questionable CVT drive.

I know back in 2008-2009 and even later, Quenton has written extensively about this bike and stirred some controversy regarding the CVT drive vs. auto clutch and other nuances of the NE-R and Ambassador "improvements". Ray (Mason Man) has already been helpful with some advice as I am going to need a bunch of it for this one!

Follow my progress as I do a frame off rebuild if my budget will allow it.

FINISHED (now for the fun part to get it running)

It has come a long way.....had it running last week before I finished it, but think I flooded it last night.. not trouble with the starter motor... which is the only thing I don't like as it is the only way to start this engine. enjoy!

 

[ImpulseRocket]

FINISHED (now for the fun part to get it running)

It has come a long way.....had it running last week before I finished it, but think I flooded it last night.. not trouble with the starter motor... which is the only thing I don't like as it is the only way to start this engine. enjoy!

Beautiful! I love the color choice.