Researching the 92A

[taber hodaka]

I am going to try and determine the confusion surrounding the Hodaka Ace 100B model (92A)----Clarence

[viclioce]

What confusion! The B+ follows the B! LOL! What are you trying to stir up Clarence??? ; D
Victor

[taber hodaka]

My confusion Victor. I was a Hodaka dealer from 1965 through 1975. I have some questions regarding the Ace 90 that I hope others can help me with as I don't remember, but would like to know. Also as I review my old files I will share what I find as I know some things overlap. No conclusions drawn, just data share, what ever you own is what you own and what ever you call it is what it is. Onward and upward be positive-----------Clarence

[viclioce]

OK! I was just joking with you anyway! Victor

[taber hodaka]

Given that I do not know all of the correct answers and knowing that it doesn't really matter. I will share what I think I know about the Hodaka models. Ace 90 prototype, Ace 90 mark II, Ace 100 model (92), Ace 100 model (92A) I bought and sold 92A models and they are in my old receipt books.
First shipment of Ace 90 June of 1964

From Hodaka brochures
Model ----- Name -------- Date of printing
90 ***** Ace 90
92 ***** Ace 100 ****** 7/22/1969
92A **** Ace 100-B *** 2/15/1970
92B **** Ace 100-B *** 4/01/1971
92B **** Ace 100-B+ ** 1/01/1972

Models from Hodaka Parts Usage Book July 1971
90
92
92A
92B
************no B+ produced at this time**********

Dealer letter 11/19/1976
90 ***** Ace 90
92 ***** Ace 100
92A **** Ace 100A
92B **** Ace 100B
92B+ *** Ace 100B+

Listed in production sums from PABATCO
Ace 100A
Ace 100B
Ace 100B+
Just data shared---------------Clarence

[viclioce]

Interesting post Clarence. ; D Victor

[Dale]

Confusing for sure. Pages 62 and 63 of the Hodaka book discuss the existence (or rather the non-existence) of an Ace 100A (model 92A). From the documents that Clarence is referencing it is obvious that at least some folks believed that there was a 100A. Somebody changed directions mid-stream it seems. Good stuff Clarence.

[mac]

Hopefully not too dumb of a question,but would this mean that my Ace is a 100A ?

The frame says JAN-1970 # A-39242

[taber hodaka]

There is no dumb question some times we just try and retrace the past and we find it can take us in different directions. fifty plus years ago very busy people were importing, designing, updating, setting up dealerships and transporting thousands upon thousands of Hodaka motorcycles. Along this path they were developing brochures, parts books, owners manuals, shop manuals and running adds in all major publications. Looking back and trying to follow their exact path cannot be done and there are overlaps that we just cannot account for. Mountains of work have been done by many dedicated individuals, pulling information together and making manuals and parts available to us. I just share a couple of items that I have used over the years. Mac you will have to decide what you have.-----------Clarence

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[mac]

I believe judging by the frame numbers and what you show in your parts book that I would call it a 92A.

I know the numbers might mean that it is either just an ACE100 or ACE100B+,but it is still fun for me to try and figure out exactly what my old bikes are.

Thanks Clarence!

[RichardMott]

Well all I know is my Ace 100 bill of sale reads Ace 100 B+. It was bought new from Bill's Hodaka in Exton PA in 1973. The steering head name plate reads 7/1971. The frame and motor numbers are


Frame A64971 Motor P53053

1971 100 cc Hodaka Ace 100 B+ Controversy for sure, but I am confident it is definitely an Ace 100 B+.

It has a cush hub and a re-settable trip odometer. High fender. Not sure of the gear ratios.

A couple of years ago I was at Chuck Swanson's home. He showed me the records of all of the dealers in the US and Australia. Bill's Hodaka was maybe the top seller of Hodakas in the world, if not the top.

[admin]

Hi Rick and Clarence,
Ed is over his head as usual and Ken is getting his green card adjusted so he can enter the USA again Only kidding.....

What we (Ed ,Chuck, Ken and myself) found while researching the Hodaka book was there were differing model designations for the the Ace 100's. The differences seemed to come from the promotion and marketing departments and the production departments. Looking back at ALL the information we had at our disposal we made the call that in fact there really was never an Ace 100A. Yes we had differing printed materials like the parts usage book that Clarence shows photos of. The parts usage book was the biggest hurdle we had to overcome but after exhaustive discussions here in Vermont in 2013 for better than a week we decided that there was an Ace100, Ace 100B and an Ace 100B+. Clarence provides some great material to show but we had all of this and much much more to go by.

Mac's photo is of an early Ace 100B which used the same exhaust as the Ace 100 (68'/69') but painted the pipe black instead of being chromed.

[Zeek]

A couple of years ago I was at Chuck Swanson's home. He showed me the records of all of the dealers in the US and Australia.

That would have been interesting to see!

[RichardMott]

I don't know how to contact Chuck, but I am sure he could supply that info to someone if they visited him. Perhaps at HD 2017.

[taber hodaka]

Thanks Paul although my data does correlate I can accept that the determination there was never a 92A. I am however confused about the starting frame numbers for the 92B and beginning frame number for the B+ . Also what changes distinguished the B+ from the 92B Thanks everyone -------------Clarence

[admin]

Hi Clarence good morning.
Without digging to deeply I will try and explain and give the frame starting and ending numbers for the Ace 100 models.


Ace 100- 17" front and rear wheels, speedometer mounted on top of headlight shell (one unit).
beginning frame A-17381 Ending frame # A-37204

Ace 100B 19" front wheel and 18" rear wheel. Low mount front fender small speedometer mounted separate from headlight shell.
Beginning frame A-38713 Ending frame A-51012

Ace 100 B+- 19" front wheel and 18" rear wheel. High mount front fender. Larger speedometer with trip meter
beginning A-51013 ending frame A73612

The ending frame number for the B+ may be in dispute as some of our records from PABATCO have not turned out to be completely solid. When doing the book we had differing charts to work from. We spent exhaustive days,weeks etc.. on this subject for the Hodaka Book.
I can say that the beginning and ending frame numbers for the Ace 100 and Ace 100B plus the beginning frame for the B+ are fact to the absolute best information we have.
Thanks
Paul

[admin]

Prime example of an Ace 100B is this bike that was just listed for sale on my Marketplace page from Aaron Sanders. Great bike at a great price.

[taber hodaka]

Well here are the last of the reasons I had thought Hodaka made a Ace100 92A. At least you will understand why I thought that. I just finished my digging through some of the stack. I really have learned allot and several things i never knew or just forgot?? ------------Clarence

[admin]

Someday Clarence under one of the huge trees in the park during Hodaka Days I will buy you an iced tea and we can talk about this. I understand your point very well but for now will stick to my guns

[taber hodaka]

I am with you Paul ! I just found it all interesting fun just going through all the data I never look at. I really really enjoy going through the complete story of Hodaka that you and Ken put together. An ice tea with you under the shade of a Athena tree would be the best. Any fun topic looking forward beyond --A.------ appreciate -------Clarence

[taber hodaka]

Dry humor in the West and always looking for a win win. So if I ever see an item listed on the strictly Hodaka website for a 92A. Could it then be that we agree? ---------------Clarence

[taber hodaka]

Paul with full respect.---------------Clarence