I buy my engines from ebay, same guy for 4 years and each time I get a newer and better model than the last one. Stuff like better controls, better sprocket, tensioner, cables and he's relatively cheap. I just got 3 at $160 each with shipping. I don't know him or endorse him (because I don't know him) it's just a buy and order thing. But the last motors I got actually seem superior to the past ones. They are quieter, smoother by far, fast starting and stronger. I have been buying the 80 cc lately because of the smoothness of the running engine. I even made a bike for my non-mechanical friend, (I hope he doesn't read this) and he is doing nothing but riding it around having fun.
The only drag is that it takes 5 days to get to me from California. Sometimes I am Jonesing (a drug culture term from the 60's, I don't use drugs) to build a bike sooner, but that's part of the gig I guess. I think that since is a forum and ideas and recommendations should be shared I might as well tell you my seller. I think the guy is Chinese but he uses the name Rick. On ebay his seller name is BoyGoFast. I, like you, just enjoy buzzing around and having fun, that's the only reason I buy and make and sell and give these to my friends. I have given away more than I sell, much more. I am certainly in the hole for a couple(s) of hundreds of dollars. OK, thousands.
My friend Wayne actually contacted a Chinese distributor and found out that he can get pallet of 50, 80 cc motors for $60 each. Still that's $3K. But that's probably what the sellers are getting them for. I did the search myself, wholesale 80 cc bicycle engines, China dealers. I can get the actual web site if anyone's interested in buying a ship load of motors.
Nevertheless, I don't care to buy that many motors. I just wanna have fun on them and fortunately I figured out how to build them so that they are reliable, part-fall-off-free and impressive to my friends and neighbors. Two of my major observations, chain sprocket line-up and Lock-tite thread locker. But you already know that.
PS I have some wonderful new photos to show but the forum will not allow me to post them. I guess I will keep trying. Some beautiful shots of the Sebastian River with bright glossy shots of a new Kuluna with a black engine.
Kip Now in Melbourne,
