A lot of the content was stolen from the pages of the Hodaka book. I pointed this out to the thief and he acted all surprised but eventually agreed to add a note to the pages he stole. Mind you he didn't agree to remove the stolen pages. It's a tough life trying to keep printed magazines and books a...

I can vouch for the 'o' ring temporary fix. It worked a treat for me until I got a rebuilt shift mechanism/cover. I even had the correct 'o' ring 'in stock'....in other words I found one on the bench that looked like it may work and it did.

You will have a great time Jack and I'm sure you'll find a bike for the Bad Rock and the Parade. I hope I'll get back there one day.

Ed, I'm surprised you didn't come across the word arvo when you were 'in town' so to speak. It's often run together with other words like 'this' for example. as in 'Are you right to come down the pub thesarvo? Naturally, there's only one correct response to the question.

Look forward to catching up Wack and obviously those dates were meant to be June 8-10 2018.

Hi Wack and Ed - Aussie models do seem a bit out of step and as Ed knows, my 12/72 Wombat has some 94A inclusions when it shouldn't, and, has some really oddball bits like straight-cut primary gears. I bought my Wombat from the original owner in Oz and they said that's how it was delivered so it's j...

Milledge Brothers were the distributor in Victoria (and I think they also did South Australia) while Phil Young was the distributor in NSW. There were over a thousand Hodakas sold in Australia. My Wombat is registered in NSW and was easily done as I got the bike from the original owner who bought it...

That sounds pretty taxing Ed, I'm just going to opt for the beer and think about it a bit more.

It's about lunchtime and it's hovering around 37C (99F). Should I jump in the pool and then have a beer or have a beer and then jump in the pool? Like you say Ed....decisions, decisions. I could do some work on the next issue of VMX Magazine but that can wait until it cools down.

Finding parts that close to you, in Tasmania, is unbelievable. What were the four restored Hodakas down there in Tassie?

Ed, you missed another grand event so yes, it's good you got to cut a lap in absentia. What you did miss this year though was Big Frank, you just can't help bad luck.

My potmetal taps on my Wombat flow sufficient fuel to allow Captain Eddie to throw roost, over a jump, uphill, and probably against a headwind, on my Wombat with just one out of two taps open. I shudder to think what he'd do if I opened both taps.

I guess I should have also said that the '74 KX 125 on which Ed is sitting is more proof that the world is a small place. That very bike was dismantled by me in Harry Taylor's shed and then packed in boxes and shipped to me back in Sydney. Small world, yes indeed.

The world is indeed a small place and I know one day I'll even get back to that smallest of small places, Athena, and catch up with all the wonderful Hodaka people again one day. And yes, Ed did give my Wombat a good caning, but it took it all in its stride. What's more, I did at least get him to ri...

Most oval bore carbs didn't arrive on the scene until the '80s so clearly, as always, Hodaka was just way ahead of the curve, so to speak.

Ed, I'd forgotten about the big bore starting attempts......"I think it's seized, the kickstart won't go down at all". A legend all the same and not for being the 'Windbreaker' either, as it mentions at the top of this topic. I seem to recall that Paul was a high achiever in that regard in...

A true legend in both the USA and Australia. Have a great day Ed and enjoy the year ahead.

In spirit.

.....because we're so far ahead that even after a 14 hour flight we'll give you a few hours up your sleeve. We're generous like that, as well as being ahead.

Many would say that the US lags behind Australia by more than just a few hours.....

Dinosaur BBQ....yes, I remember it only too well, as I bought a round of drinks there and then left my Mastercard on the bar. I'm not sure what the barmaid thought about that but she did find me and return it, eventually.

In a strange twist of fate and just when you thought this discussion couldn't get any weirder......Marcia Brady (Maureen McCormick) has just finished being plastered all over Aussie TV screens on the show 'I'm a celebrity get me out of here'. It finished last week and she made it through to the fina...

Ah, my dear friend Eddie, I don't think you have too much to worry about with the concept of travelling abroad with Freddie and Paulie, but the brutal reality that would concern me somewhat.

Is Australia ready for the Freddie, Eddie and Paulie show? Methinks not but we'll have a few tricks up our sleeve and I can guarantee that when they do return to the US they won't be the same Freddie, Eddie and Paulie. We'll see who gets the last laugh.

What happens in the teepee stays in the teepee....I think I got that right.