New Project Wanted

[viclioce]

OK. I'm just about done with this Model 03, other than the possible Future Upgrades. So, I'm looking for a project bike. A smaller bike like a 90cc which can be set up to run on/off road. My 13 yr old grandson can't get his leg over the Model 03 I did for his brother. He's too short and his legs are not long enough.

So an old green road toad (he really likes green!) or an older Ace would be nice. Something with smaller wheels he can get his leg over. If anyone has one here in the greater southwest they want to part with, I'm open to just about anything which isn't "overpriced." I would prefer something that's more complete than lots of pieces missing, but I'll consider almost anything for a reasonable price. Give me a holler if you have or know of something! ; D Victor

[thrownchain]

How about a Steen ?

[taz]

What is the price range your looking ??

[viclioce]

The cheaper the better. I only paid $250 for the Model 03 I bought locally. I'm sure shipping would be expensive so I'm looking for something in the Texas, New Mexico, Colorado & Arizona area. That way I could drive and pick it up. Heck, I'd even take something that isn't a Hodaka! If I had to tag a number on it I would say something in the $200-350 range. I know I'll have to put a lot more into it just to make it a reliable runner. I know that may not happen with a Hodaka, but maybe there's someone out there with a yard full or garage full of rescues that they haven't gotten to, who would part with one to make a kid happy? And yes, a Steen, in that price range would work. Just need to know that it's not a bigger frame like the Model 03. ; D Victor

[thrownchain]

I may be too far away to be of any help, but the Steen is about the size of a Yamaha mini enduro or the XR 75 Honda, maybe slightly smaller.

[viclioce]

Throwchain. Where are you and how much? ; D Victor

[thrownchain]

Central upstate NY, and $400 for a Steen project bike that's fairly complete and does run ( Ace 100 motor).

[admin]

Dan I have a bike that needs your love in the Indy area. Could use it for the York swapmeet if you are heading that way...
Paul

[thrownchain]

Check your e mail.

[viclioce]

I haven't received an email from you..... ; D Victor

[thrownchain]

The e mail reference was for Paul, trying to get things lined up for York, Pa. I don't think I could sell you a Steen cheap enuff to make it worth while after the shipping is added to the cost.

[viclioce]

OK. The message was a bit confusing. ; D Victor

[viclioce]

OK! I think I found the bike I'm going to buy. I passed on the Ace 90 in Phoenix. Danny told me two factors which I considered into my decision. He told me the Ace 90 was a lot older (than an Ace 100) and would be much harder to find parts for it, and, the Ace 100 also has a better suspension.

Via Facebook and the Hodaka Fan Club Facebook Page, I found a gentleman in Southwest Colorado who has turned 75 years old, and stopped vintage racing when he broke his leg 5 years ago at age 70. He has a couple of Ace 100's and also has a Super Rat. The Ace 100 I talked to him about he is willing to sell for $400.00. I also told him I would be interested in the Super Rat. He said a fellow from Northern Montana contacted him well over a year ago and wanted to buy it but shipping to him was going to be too costly. He will contact the guy to make sure he does not want to buy the bike and tell him he has another buyer. If the guy says NO, then I may make him an offer on the Super Rat! Heck, I may make him an offer on both the Ace 100 and the Super Rat since he isn't racing any longer. He has a Suzuki 185 which he is still using for trail riding.

And the best part is he's only 4.5 hours away from me! I can leave early morning and get there by noon, load the bike up and go home. The older Ace 90 was $50 more than the Ace 100 and was 9 hours each way. So I will save well over $150 in acquisition costs alone going with the Ace 100. He says the Super Rat doesn't start right now but just needs minor work. So IF I could get both bikes from him for something like an $800 offer, I would take both of them. After all, I have a 3rd Grandson to think about too! May as well put them all on Hodakas!!!

I'll keep you all posted on how I fair, and which one (or more!) I get! Between this forum and the Hodaka Fan Club Facebook page, I am finding what I want, and LEARNING what I want as well! Thanks to everyone! And wish me luck! I'm attaching a couplr of photos of the Super Rat! ; D Victor

[dcooke007]

Hey Vic,
Can't beat an old school Super Rat project. To me it is way more desirable than an Ace 90. To me, if you get the rat, that would be a major score. They can be great riders but are very desirable collectables also.

Danny

[viclioce]

I'm hoping for the Super Rat too! Heck I'm hoping for both the Super Rat AND the Ace 100! He's agreed to $400 for the Ace 100. I'm hoping I can get the Super Rat for around the same price since he's 75 and doesn't vintage race any longer. Wish me luck! after all, I have 3 grandsons and they would all love riding! Diego is 15 and gets the Model 03, the Ace and the Super Rat can go to Mateo 13 and Andres who will be 11 in January! ; D Victor

[reddog19]

Thrown Chain, would you still have the Steens for sale? Please advise. Thanks, J.R. [email protected] 956-638-7033

[viclioce]

Well, I am not getting the Super Rat. He promised it to a guy in Northern Montana and said he would hold on to it for him. I can a appreciate that because he won't sell the Ace 100 out from under me either.

But I got more good news today. When I go up he will have all the parts for a "Green" Road Toad for me to look at. It's the smaller one with the same style tank as the Ace's but green. So I may get two bikes after all! And my middle grandson really loves green, it's his favorite color. Then I can build the Ace for the youngest who will be 11 in a few weeks! He's already taller than his older, middle brother so the Ace will be a great bike for him!

Now if I can just do something about all this snow we are getting! I know! I'll go skiing tomorrow!

So.... one of these..... and one of those! ; D Victor

[viclioce]

Nothing like snow storms to stop travel in the mountains. Now I have to wait another week to go for the bikes! Arrrrgh! ; D Victor

[viclioce]

I picked up both bikes today! Actually nearly enough for 3 bikes! For $800 I got 2 Road Toad frames (1 set of wheels) two bottom ends, two top ends, two fuel tanks, the pipes and all the parts in between, and, a complete Ace 100 with a second bottom end and two shift covers! One is 1 down, 4 up and the other is the original 1 up, 4 down! A total of 5 carb's and intake manifolds and the Reed valve manifold for he Road Toad! Too amazing t believe!

Everything filled the back of my Silverado short bed plus I had to put the 3 tanks and seats and 3 sets of fenders and two Ace chain guards along with the freshly bored Road Toad cylinder and new piston in a box in the back seat of the truck!

I'm going to be busy for quite awhile! One of the unusual things he gave me was a set of handlebars which are solid aluminum! Both air cleaners, the battery cover for the Toad.... Everything you can think of to have successful rebuild projects! Yippie yahooie!!!!

Pics to follow soon! ; D Victor

[viclioce]

OK first sneak peek picture! The tanks and seats and fenders and a few extra things are still in the back seat of the truck! I won't pull them out until tomorrow! ; D Victor

[hodakamax]

Do I sense a little excitement in the air?

Max

[viclioce]

Uh... YEAH!!!!!! Just a bit!

I'm going to sort through things and clean off my work bench. I left at 8:35 yesterday morning and got home at 8:05 yesterday evening. It was 10 hours of driving round trip and an hour and a half of loading and listening to this wonderful man tell me things like "This is extra, but I'm just going to let you have it." So it was an exciting g time!

I still need to go out this morning and unload the back seat of my truck. And I do t know which bike to start on first. I suspect the Ace is going to go together quicker, but I need to get a shop manual for it. However, he gave me a shop manual for the Road Toad so.... ; D Victor

[viclioce]

Well, I came down with a nasty little cold bug! Everything g is just sitting in the garage now, waiting for me. I feel somewhat better today, thankfully, and thanks to Dayquill/Niquill! May get out there tomorrow and get started. Step one is clear off the work bench! ; D Victor