Victor, thanks for your offer, but the original owner had cobbled together a reed-valve set-up with a 24mm carb, but the cylinder was no good. I have an original cylinder/head/manifold and need a carb to match up. The part that Al mentions may be just what I'm looking for, if I can figure out how it...

Al, the studs on the manifold I have are 40mm center to center, and the newer carbs measure 49mm, so I suppose I may have to get an adapter or else continue looking for an original 20mm carb. Thanks for that info. I didn't know they made an adapter.

The only mounting difference I can see between the original and the newer is that the newer ones have a slotted flange mount and the originals have holes in the flange. My nest question would be: does anyone use a newer Mikuni 20mm carb on their Ace 100s?

On the topic of VM20 carbs, will the new Mikuni VM20 carbs work on the Ace 100b+ models? The original 20mm carbs appear to be scarce. Have only seen the new ones on ebay.

I have a super rat 98 frame with two different frame numbers. (one on the steering head and one on the frame). Both are model 98 numbers. Could it have come from the factory that way, and if not, why change the steering head number plate?

Givergas, I have the same problem: too many bikes, too many parts sitting on shelves in my garage. Especially, trying to decide what to do with the many parts I have shelved off of a pretty much basket case 97 super combat that I had acquired in order to complete my other model 97. I've held on to t...

If you're talking about the one by Ken Smith, you're right. It is a great book. My son bought me one for father's day last year. Lots of great pics and stories, but you need a magnifying glass to read some of the fine print (but that's just me, I'm old). You'll enjoy it.

You guys who are suggesting using milk crates, buckets, etc. must realize that the models 97 & 98 have a down pipe that will not allow the bike to be supported by such things, unless you remove the pipe, which is not that hard to do, but is necessary if you want to get it up where you can work o...

I used Kubota orange on my model 97/98. Looks pretty good.

Your bike looks like a new one. Truck ain't bad either. Very nice!!

Good job on the restore, locknut. I saved one from the junk yard myself, recently.

This is for anyone who has had trouble getting good readings when using a multimeter to test primary and secondary resistance on their ignition coils. I have two coils for my model 97 project, one which had a broken wire and the other seemingly in good shape. I managed to fix the wire which had brok...

Side by side pic of two NGK spark plugs. The B9HS on the left has a bigger electrode than the B9HV. By the way, does anyone know the resistance values of the primary and secondary coil on the 97 Super Combat or 98 Super Rat?

Very true. This time last year I had one. Now I have three.

Thanks, Matt. I found a "V" type on ebay and will post a pic of it and the S type side by side when it arrives.

Matt, do you happen to know what the difference is between the HS and HV? I already have an older B-8HS and a new B-9HS. Did NGK quit making the B - 9HV plugs? Thanks

The manual for the model 97 Super Combat calls for an NGK B - 9HV. I tried to look these plugs up on an NGK site, but couldn't find them. Is a B 9HS the same or similar? Meanwhile, here's a pic of my 97 project, having just installed a new kill switch and rubber intake boot from Terry Larson.

Thanks for the tips, guys. Max, I knew I had seen one somewhere on this site, but couldn't remember where.

While on the subject of crankcase pressure testing, could anyone post a photo of your pressure testing set-up and the process you use to go about this? If not a photo, then what all you need for a home-made tester. Thanks

Mike, how far away are you from Hopewell? There is a fellow there who may be able to help you.

I've been working on fixing up my '74 Super Combat and ran across this brochure from Pabatco. Apparently, these accessory kits were available back in the day, but are they still available? I checked SH but didn't see them.

Exactly right Clarence! If they were raised right, stealing anything would be out of the question.

The harshest punishment I can think of is to have the thief go and live with Hillary Clinton for about a month. After that, I'll bet he'd never think of stealing anything again.

Glad you found it Gary. Its disheartening to know there are thieves out there that will take anything if its literally not tied down. My son had a nice Husky stolen a few years ago and it was never recovered. The problem is, when they are finally caught, they're given a slap on the wrist and sent on...

Hey Bert, you may have to explain to some of these guys what a fortnight is too. I know, but only because I spent 2 years in the UK.