Reflecting on the Ace 90

[taber hodaka]

Reflecting thoughts on the Ace 90 along with the first purchase came a dealership at the age of about 21, what a fun time. How would you all like to live in that era? The first crate, remove and assemble, the first gas. The first time you have ever heard a Hodaka run, you had never seen one before And that first ride. You would not believe all of that stuck in that one hour. I do not remember having to purchase a specific inventory amount. I remember a parts book but no manual. The first tear down was great because it was the easiest and simplest engine transmission I had ever seen. I bought an old house and lot next door for $500.00. I painted the inside red and white along with a few orange shelve for some trophy's that wondered in. I will cover the things about the Ace 90 as I remember them along with some of the changes. Help me out all you dealers and add to this -----Clarence

[hodakamax]

I bought my first Ace 90 from a dealer in 1965. As I began to explore this new machine I quickly realized this was a new kind of motorcycling in that it was an incredibly fun and reliable machine that everyone could afford. I soon became a dealer and started an adventure that was one of the best times of my life. Early 20s, what could be more fun (well, there were the girls) than racing and modifying motorcycles! Hmm, lotsa material to discuss, this could be quite a post! Check out the upcoming Resonator for an article on the first "Great Race " on my first Ace 90 giant killer.

Maxie

[mac]

Such a cool reflection Clarence! What a time and age(yours) to begin in the motorcycle business. Thanks to a good friend of mine I got my first taste of dirt biking in 1973 on a Suzuki Gaucho 50.Not quite the golden age of dirt bikes that you started in but still a much simpler time than now and provided some great memories for sure.

I thought that I have read somewhere that you still have that 90.Is that correct?

Thanks for the story and I look forward to reading more of them.

Had to edit right away because I posted it and then saw your post Max.Very cool story and always interesting to read.Keep them coming!

[taber hodaka]

My first race was one you would all wish to ride it was called the Paul Bunyon and was North of Spokane Washington somewhere. I won a small trophy about 7 inches high, 4 inch plastic ball on wood with a motorcycle on top. I was very proud of it but it became lost in a box of trophies that disappeared somewhere. I never raced any thing but the Ace 90 modified which I will cover in these posts. I raced in Montana, Idaho, Oregon, Canada and Washington, My first motocross race was in Spokane Washington and in the same race, racing against Harry in his prime, that alone was a memory. I did not win a trophy in my first motocross or two races i did not finish but believe I did win trophies in all others I was not fast just steady and loved to ride in greasy mud. A few years ago I got into a trade in Athena on a local ace 90, engine 37 and frame 82 that I will cover showing the Items or the early ace 90's. -------------Clarence

[hodakamax]

My original Ace 90 was continuously modified for years with the latest and greatest modifications of the day whether Aftermarket or evolving Hodaka "R" parts. As I had a new Hodaka dealership the Ace 90 became a test bed for all things new and to prove their class dominance in racing of the day. Lotsa great adventures on the Ace 90 later updated to a 100. SE Kansas short track champion 1971. The bike was sold in the early '70s and I lost track of it for decades. It was finally located as junk, scattered around in pieces at a local farm. A museum grade restoration ensued and the bike hangs in my living room today actually looking better than it ever did. You can read its story in the March 2015 issue of the Resonator should you be a Hodaka Club member which you actually should be!

Maxie

PS--OK, most of you have heard my tale before but maybe some of the newbies haven't.

[Bullfrog]

Clarence, I really enjoyed your post. Sounds like you too may be an adherent to the principle of, "Slow down. You'll go faster." And, "To finish first, you have to finish."
Ed

[taber hodaka]

Good trade bad trade Well the trade was made and I got what I wanted. I am sure Kevin that worked at the body shop on Athena's main street got a better deal than he or others expected. Here is what I received froze engine wheels and all engine #37 and frame #82 along with a few mods some speedy guy in Athena had suggested.--------Clarence

[mac]

I would have wanted it also with those production numbers.It is quite a project,but thats the fun in it and worth bringing back to life instead of parting out.

I have been looking up old ads on the web and I found this one that I think is pretty cool.It looks to be a pretty early add and will have to get printed out to hang in the work shop.I have seen the same fellow in different adds and was wondering which member of the PABATCO team is he?I,m sure for those that know it is probably a "duh" type of question,but still curious.

[taber hodaka]

Chuck I think on a early Ace 90?? Ed will tell us.--------Clarence

[matt glascock]

I'm voting for Chuck Swanson on the Rocks.

[Bullfrog]

I could have jumped right in with the answer, but thought the better of it - cuz I was sure several folks on this forum would know the answer. Both Clarence and Matt are correct. That is indeed Chuck Swanson who was with PABATCO/Hodaka virtually from "day one". As I recall, Chuck was one (among several) who thought a chrome tank was a good idea. It would handle the wearing effects of dust and gritty mud better than any paint and another side effect would be that color inventories wouldn't be a problem. From my understanding, the whole group expected to see a matte finish industrial chrome tank when the first prototype arrived in Oregon . . . but it was "show chrome"! Apparently there were some raised eyebrows . . . and brief discussion . . . and then an exclamation along the lines of, "Well, OK then! That looks purty dang good! Can't hurt sales either!"
Ed

[matt glascock]

Captain, I based my conclusion on a very nifty picture of Chuck Swanson from the Hodaka Book on what was captioned as the maiden voyage on the first production Ace 90. He was sporting the same gear. Heck, it was probably shot the same day as the promo shot. Thanks for sharing your experiences with us. It never ceases to amaze me that we can, through this forum, rub electronic elbows with the folks that brought us these insanely cool bikes. A million thanks!!

[hodakamax]

Seriously, I rode my new Ace 90 every waking moment for weeks after its purchase. Only when the lights came off and a number plate and pipe went on which left it non-street legal did I see that I needed another one. This led me to being a Hodaka dealer.

My Ace 90 reflections of the day. More to come.

Max

[taber hodaka]

The history surrounding the Ace 90 may not interest too many folks but. I will share my thoughts anyway The Ace 90 was behind schedule so I will post the ad as we seen it in cycle publications. Past that point I don't think they ever told us when a model would arrive they would just announced when it did arrived. I will discuss three production stages of the Ace 90. The first I will call the prototype, Then the MK II HODAKA and last the special features on the NEW HODAKA ACE 90. For example the Ace 90 used at least three frames. I will post this and follow with the pictures--------------Clarence

[taber hodaka]

Pictures?? Clarence

[mac]

Another photo to keep this post alive and maybe stir the memory banks.It was posted on one of the facebook thingies that I found on the club page so thanks to who ever posted it.

[taber hodaka]

A high mounted cross over pipe like the Combat Wombat Cool. Tell us who Ed. ----Clarence

[Bullfrog]

Aw, come on Clarence. Can you think of anyone who might have ridden a modified Ace 90 and wore dark rimmed glasses?

[taber hodaka]

I knew it was buddy Holly. He just wouldn't want to know we thought it was funny. He is setting up so straight he could be riding English saddle. Love it One early 90 but no low bars -------Clarence

[matt glascock]

I've not seen that picture before. Love it!! Kid standing in the background with a little saliva dribbling out the corner of his mouth thinking "I WANT that". Dad, jingling the coins in his pocket thinking "I WANT that". HT (High Torque) working a wrapped-out Ace 90. Starter number (paper)plate electrical taped to the headlight bucket. Priceless!!

[taber hodaka]

Is Harry riding the MK II Hodaka . The 90 has the early taillight, headlight, gas cap but the updated head used on the MK II. But Harry was known to change things and I am sure that he had access to updated items.------Clarence

[dirtsquirt74]

I am one of the thread followers that is interested in the history of the ace 90. One of the things that was in my fathers hobby shop was a gas tank that was formed out of a piece of wood. It was in the era of the Hodaka prototype. It was there for several months before it disappeared to most likely Athena, Oregon. The reports that I have heard was it was on a shelf to the very end and then it was taken to the dump. That was a shame. Imagine forming an exact replica of that ace 90 gas tank out of wood. Likely the product was done in the Hodaka factory in Japan.

My 2 cents worth of Hodaka history.

[taber hodaka]

We were always told that the first pictures of the Hodaka had a wooden tank mockup. I am going to try and start the story of the ace 90 but I need help. The first Ace 90's had a narrow front end and were very different, I will show a few pictures of the items but need help with timelines. See where the steering fork bracket bolted from the backside. I think this all changed with frame 233?? -----Clarence

[RichardMott]

Wow, that photo was taken June 4, 2026. Do you have a time machine?

[taber hodaka]

Hey sharp eye! I have but one talent and that is the ability to recognize the talents of others. No computer, cellphone, GPS savvy here. In looking closely the numbers on the frame are engraved almost like the shift cover-------Clarence