Ralf
From Lancaster, PA
February 4th, 2008
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To the great people of Golden Eagle Bike
Engines:
I wish to thank you for
designing and making
available such an “elegant”
machine. I purchased
one of your engines in
July of ’07 and it’s
been a real joy. I chose
the Tanaka 40cc
2-stroke engine since I
am not a small guy.
Also, I wish to thank your
review customers.
It’s been fun and inspirational
to read their
stories, which convinced
me almost as much
as the engine.
When I first bought it,
I installed it on
my recumbent. There were
a few logistical
issues to overcome, but
I got it to work
quite well. Since it is
a recumbent (low
wind resistance) with an
aerodynamic fairing
(even lower wind resistance)
with roadbike
gearing, I had it doing
just over 40 mph
(ssshhh). I built a special,
heavy-duty rear
wheel with 13/14 gauge
butted spokes to accommodate
my, umm, mass as well as
the engine’s driving
forces. However, the engine
sat just behind
my head and it was too
loud – I had to use
ear plugs. So…
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I bought the full suspension
Kona. Actually,
just the frame - an Ebay
reject (shippers
dinged the frame) which
had been returned
to the seller. I got it
heap cheap, built
it up with heavy duty wheels,
disc brakes
and fenders. Again, a few
logistical issues,
(the pictures are worth
a thousand words),
but….
With logistical and technical
issues resolved,
the engine works really
well. The Tanaka
is a beast with all kinds
of torque. Full
suspension and disc brakes
make the bike
both comfortable and secure.
I help it on
the steep hills and when
I start out (for
fear of burning out the
clutch), but once
I get moving, I can go
as fast as 33 mph.
I could go faster with
a larger gear, but
we have too many hills.
The engine cruises
comfortably around 24 or
25 mph.
Mounting the engine on
the frame pivot freed
up my axle so that I could
use the quick
release mechanism designed
to hook up my
trailer. I use it to go
shopping, run errands,
go to the library, go to
the gym or whatever
and whenever. I have a
new car which gets
between 35 to 40 mpg, but
this is more efficient
and more fun. And, I still
get exercise without
destroying my already damaged
knees. I could
go on and on about this,
but buy one, you’ll
get the picture.
Some people laughed at
me and thought this
was stupid, but now, I
am the one who is
smiling as I fly by the
gas station with
$3+ per gallon regular.
Ralf in Lancaster, PA
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