Reflecting on the Ace 90

[mac]

I still think that it is pretty cool to have that early of an Ace.I wonder how many of the first one hundred made are still in one piece?

On the photo of Harry on the early Ace I,m still intrigued by the pipe.It looks like a modified stock pipe cut up to run through to the other side maybe where the idea came from for the CW pipe?

It has me wondering if it was modified that way to gain more header pipe length and that this bike is modified for trials use or was it just to get it more out of the way?

[relic]

I just wanted to jump in here and say as being fairly new to the Hodaka world I'm really enjoying this historical discussion. Thanks very much to the gentlemen that were there back in the day and are taking the time to share their experiences and knowledge. Great stuff!
Ken

[viclioce]

Me too! Victor

[taber hodaka]

The engine number also looks engraved. A little view of the engine rebuild shop Robs engine coming up soon.-------Clarence

[taber hodaka]

Information from the fabulous book HODAKA by Ken smith. and I would recommend everyone to consider buying one. So much information is available there. -------------Clarence

[mac]

Another cool photo for the reflection of an Ace 90 chasing down a Van Tech. Seeing the skinny front tire on the Ace made me think about my post on tires.
The tire choices that you guys had back then were a far cry to what we have now and you still went pretty dang fast!

[taber hodaka]

History here we come. According to the ken Smith HODAKA book, the Hodaka ace 90 final design was December of 1963. The Ace 90 production began in May of 1964. Kens book states the first Ace 90's arrived in the USA June of 1964. ------------Clarence

[taber hodaka]

Ace 90 production rates per month. The first Ace 90 was produced when production began in May of 1964. The 143 Ace 90 ace was produced on July 4 so initial production was 67 per month. Total production for 1964 was 759 Ace 90's , or the average of 95 per month for the year. In 1965 4,687 Ace 90's were produced with a average of 390 per month. 1966 production for the year was 6,395 with a 533 average for each month. And for 1967 production was 5,545 with a monthly average of 462. All just numbers but it is a reflection------------ Clarence

[hodakamax]

Clarence, I have been following all of this and I'm reporting in that my very first Ace 90 was frame # A3704. I still have it today as my short tracker that served me well in the racing years. It retained the original crankcases even though it was converted to the CR 5-speed and model 93 cylinder along with all of the "R" parts of the day. (And other "secret stuff"!) Not many original things left but it does still have the SNs assigned to it. Bought in 1965, retired 1973.

Reporting,

Max

[bchappy]

A little off the subject but what kind of engine is on that Van Tech?

[mac]

It is hard to tell in the photo Bill,but it kind of looks like a lawn mower type engine.I know that that had frame kits for many different engines and I think one of the first ones had a McCulloch chain saw engine like in this photo.

















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[mac]

Another good shot of Mr.Taylor on a 90.I wonder what year?

[Larry S]

Power Bee and Power Products were also popular. No transmission. Direct drive. They were fast!

[MTrat]

The first Van Tech I ever saw had a McCulloch chainsaw engine with no tranny; just the centrifugal clutch. Loud but impressive...

[taber hodaka]

Max did your Ace #3704 have the small Yamaguchi head, white gas cap and side covers that were clear? or no [ ACE 90 on the shift cover and no HODAKA on the clutch cover ]? I think the head and side covers got changed about engine P1492 ] Also I kinda think there was other head in there and I will try and get a picture. That Van Tech info very interesting, I lived a sheltered life in Montana -----------Clarence

[mac]

There is a Van Tech website with a lot of cool info and pictures. A sheltered live in Montana sounds awesome! I live in Illinois where there are a lot of corn fields, corruption and not many places to ride.

[taber hodaka]

The Ace 90 engine was almost a copy of the Hodaka Ace 80 engine that Yamaguchi had used. The Ace 90 Hodaka was mandated to increase the engine to 90 cc. Also the Yamaguchi 80 was only a three speed and the Ace 90 was a four speed. Here are some pictures of one of the Yamaguchi Ace 80 engines I have.------------Clarence

[hodakamax]

A few years ago my wife and I drove to a vintage motorcycle show in Arkansas. There was a class called "Survivors" that was for un-restored bikes. I've told this story before but it is relevant to this post so I thought I'd run it by again. Winner? You guessed it, a Hodaka Ace 90. The Vincent, BSA, Triumph etc. crews were not happy but the Hodaka guy did have a Hodaka cheering section to support him at trophy time! What was also cool is that he towed it in on a trailer towed by some Japanese large displacement motorcycle touring thing. He bought the 90 on E-bay from the east coast and rode his cruiser from Oklahoma to retrieve it. He purchased the Hodaka and bought and assembled a trailer from Harbor Freight which he then towed everything back to Oklahoma. Quite a story and a good find. He deserved the trophy we all concluded.

Max

[taber hodaka]

I am trying to determine some ace90 changes, when I think they happened, and when I don't even have a clue! So I ask for your help and for those that assist I will draw for one winner to win a silver round and one winner to win a equivalent golds nugget as a token of the appreciated help. I do not know all the answers and therefore am asking for your help.not a good picture of the round.

(1)--- I am asking for information on when the narrow front forks were changed? I think A0233?? so list your frame number before the change and after also post a picture if you will. Your name will go in a headlight bucket for the draw. I will have two other items to ask later. And what are the two square pieces with the hole in them for??

A chance to win silver or gold

[hodakamax]

Max did your Ace #3704 have the small Yamaguchi head, white gas cap and side covers that were clear? or no [ ACE 90 on the shift cover and no HODAKA on the clutch cover ]? I think the head and side covers got changed about engine P1492 ] Also I kinda think there was other head in there and I will try and get a picture. That Van Tech info very interesting, I lived a sheltered life in Montana -----------Clarence

Clarence, I forgot to answer your question. As I remember it had the later conventional head, which I put on a Webco as soon as possible. It seems it did have a white gas cap and did have raised letters on the cases. I think everything has been changed through the years and the only original components are the frame, crank halves, crankcases, clutch side cover and rear hub assembly. It ran like a Banshee the last time I rode it in the '70s. What fun that thing was!

Reporting,

Max