Actually the bike was starting and running great, until this noise started. Once this happened, I quit trying to start it because I was afraid something was going to be damaged. I just got home from my shop where I went over everything inside the engine, again, and saw no damage at all. So, I button...

I am heading down to my shop and will take some pics. It hasn't come off and is where it should be. the slot that it goes in is actually the area between two little cast-in ridges, which means if it spins around, while the lever is being operated, it might eventually come up against the OUTSIDE of o...

I think I just had an epiphany. After thinking about that last post I thought through how the kicker mechanism works and if that part, that was supposed to be held in place by being in that slot in the case, is able to rotate with the shaft assy. then suddenly get to something that stops it, that wo...

Well, I pulled the engine, after removing the side covers and seeing nothing amiss. I split the cases and went over everything with a fine-tooth comb. Nothing, except, the horse shoe shaped spring around the kicker shaft that keeps tension on the shaft so the ratchet/drum/shaft will work properly wa...

Thanks for the reply. This, when it happens, is a solid metal to metal loud sound. The kick lever swings through its arc and suddenly something hits something and the lever stops. But it's weird that I can slowly cycle the lever through, turning the engine over, and it acts normal.

To add to my previous email, sometime it will kick through and it is normal and I can slowly push the kick lever and nothing hits. Very strange!

OK guys, I've got one for ya. Just finished a complete resto on my '74 Super Rat model 98 and the little gem started on about 2nd kick and ran like a champ. This was about a week ago. Then I noticed a gas leak, and I discovered that it has rusted a small hole behind the rear mounting tab on the tank...

Thanks, I had thought about Progressives but didn't know if there was a better choice, not that they are bad. I will see what I can find from them.

Hey guys, Steve here. I am trying to wrap up the restoration of my '74 Super Rat and the KYB finned shocks are toast. The shafts are pitted and springs are also. Are there rebuild parts for these or what is a good replacement shock (that won't require a second mortgage)? Thanks

Yeah, I about jumped out of this chair when I went on his site a couple days ago,... and then I saw that they were out of stock!!!!!!! I tried to leave him a voice mail but his box is full!! And, I tried to send him an email but the only email suppliers I saw were ones that I have never had an accou...

Thanks for the input guys. I contacted Frank's and he said I could send a tube/damper/cap to him and he would look at it and could probably make them ($375, or maybe a little more?) but he is about 6 weeks out right now. I haven't sent it yet, hoping I could find something sooner/cheaper, but it is ...

Frank's forks has been around for a long time, though I thought I had heard a few years ago that it had either sold out or closed down.? I know a lot of guys used to use them. I had also heard several years ago that their forks were on the soft side.? Who knows whether there was anything to that rum...

Can anyone tell me if there is a source for Hodaka fork tubes, or where I could get my pitted ones redone? I had a set rechromed and ground to standard size a couple years ago but the only place I could find has stopped doing them. So, I sent them to Brooks Suspension in GB. VERY expensive with the ...

I think maybe I got it.?

Thrownchain, bingo! You hit the nail right on the head. Rusted/corroded solid. I will see if I can attach a few pics. Some forums are so easy to attach pics, but some I find confusing. Did this bike come with a reed valve ? Also, I thought, while trying to find out all I could about this model, I ha...

Thanks for the replies. I got a few minutes free yesterday and pulled the head and found that it is indeed a 100cc (50mm bore). I guess someone used the "125" as their racing number.? This little critter is ROUGH! and will need a total restore. The motor doesn't spin and the piston doesn't...

Hey guys/gals, Steve here (aka Fossil/Foss). New to the group and have a few questions. First, a bit about me: As you can figure by the name/alias, I am getting a few (?) years on me (though still a kid at heart). I rode and raced for decades and have really been active in the vintage scene for 25 y...