Unicorn?

[byarwin]

Well it may not be a unicorn but it appeared to be a very nice specimen of a 1975 STEEN HODAKA ALSPORT Enduro. I think? I purchased it sight unseen and have yet to get a look at it. The owner said it was a team bike and thought he may have articles telling about its racing years. He's a bit of a hoarder so it may take him awhile to find them. When the motocycle is delivered I'll post better photo's and take a look at the motor and frame files. It's an exciting find. I've personally never seen another STEEN enduro setup. If anywhere I know this is the group offers the best chance to learn further about this bike and its history.

[viclioce]

Exciting find! Best of luck with it! Victor

[byarwin]

Thanks Victor! This will be a fun motorcycle to rebuild and take to a vintage shows. Its just a little different.

[pfleming29]

That's cool. I never heard of a Steen enduro. Very nice

[viclioce]

Was it produced/sold by Steen as an enduro? Or was it just an add on kit like those which were available for the Squirt and early Wombats? Victor

[Al Harpster]

Looks strikingly similar to the Steen's bike shown on page 172 of the book:" Hodaka; The Complete Story Of America's Favorite Trail Bike"

Now for a shameless plug for the book, available on Amazon and others:

This book is the definitive hodaka story and is worth the money...... and then some. In hardback.

[byarwin]

I'm not sure if the enduro was an option or a special build at the request of a customer. One day I hope to find out. I am looking forward to breaking the bike down and matching the parts up with the manufacturers. Or at least attempting to do so. We may find parts of a hidden story there.

Shameless plug or not, I'm ordering your book. As a young man I never owned a Hodaka. I raced Yamaha and Suzuki motorcycles. At the request of a dealer I once raced a Can-Am. Couldn't walk for a week. That square gas tank was not conforming to a mans private area.

Hodaka orange is now runs in my blood. With each bike we find the corresponding owners stories play such a big part. I've not found that deeply personal connection with Honda, Yamaha or Suzuki owners. I think there's another book somewhere in there...

[thrownchain]

The Steen I got from Paul and redid had the lighting kit on it, and the same tank decals, but I did mine up without them, although I still have the parts.

[taber hodaka]

What is your engine number? My data shows 4 different Steens for 1971. Three that are 100 cc, motocross, scrambler and deluxe scrambler all listed as F-100's and a matterhorn that was 50 cc the F-85. 1972 shows only one 100cc motocross bike the X-100, two others were listed as Taco 22 and 22db both at 2&1/2 HP. Three listed at 4 horsepower Taco99, Taco 100 trail and the Taco super 100. And lastly for 1972 two listed at 6&1/2 Hp the Taco 102 and the F85. No Steens were listed for 1974, and 1973 listed 14 models from 22cc to 290cc ?? never was aware of that. Will cover those later.- -------------Clarence

[byarwin]

The Steen I got from Paul and redid had the lighting kit on it, and the same tank decals, but I did mine up without them, although I still have the parts.

I believe the tank may have to be replaced. Were you able to find a emblems package? I have seen the earlier version but I haven't found the ones on this tank.

I just read Clarence's post and I may be way off on my assuming it was a 1975/76.

[byarwin]

What is your engine number? My data shows 4 different Steens for 1971. Three that are 100 cc, motocross, scrambler and deluxe scrambler all listed as F-100's and a matterhorn that was 50 cc the F-85. 1972 shows only one 100cc motocross bike the X-100, two others were listed as Taco 22 and 22db both at 2&1/2 HP. Three listed at 4 horsepower Taco99, Taco 100 trail and the Taco super 100. And lastly for 1972 two listed at 6&1/2 Hp the Taco 102 and the F85. No Steens were listed for 1974, and 1973 listed 14 models from 22cc to 290cc ?? never was aware of that. Will cover those later.- -------------Clarence

I haven't had the chance to actually see it in person. I'll post photo's of the frame and motor sn numbers as soon as possible. Your information interreges the devil out of me. Thank you so much for looking it up and posting. This may be a fun motorcycle to pin down.

[byarwin]

I was hunting on Ebay tonight and a used gas tank with matching decals was listed as a 69 to 72 tank. Clarence your books did not fail you... Matt

[thrownchain]

There used to be a guy on ebay out of Ohio that had that style tank decal. I had mine custom made but of a different type. There were several styles, the block type, wide stripes, narrow stripes.

[viclioce]

Byarwin. If you take the existing tank to a graphics shop, they should be able to photograph it and reproduce it by measurement. You can have them reproduced for personal replacement without any issues. I did that with my Road Toads. I got 4 sets for $110 if I remember correctly. Victor

[byarwin]

I asked the gentleman holding the bike if he would send me a few pictures of the serial numbers. He sent a picture showing the serial number on the motor. Said he couldn't find one on the frame. The tank may be covering it. I tried to look the motor up in Ken's book HODAKA (two thumbs up!) but the numbers are just a little off. The closest I found was an Ace 90 Accessory engine. Any educated guesses? Matt

[byarwin]

There used to be a guy on ebay out of Ohio that had that style tank decal. I had mine custom made but of a different type. There were several styles, the block type, wide stripes, narrow stripes. IMG_20150816_103548.jpg

You did a beautiful job on your STEEN. I have a long road ahead to get there. But I'm feeling lucky to have all the important parts all together. Sadly the tank is not usable. Something fell on it in just the wrong place. Matt

[taber hodaka]

That is not the serial number, it is the case number. The engine number is at the front of the engine on the right side. About one inch to the right of the exhaust nut. ------------ Clarence

[byarwin]

Byarwin. If you take the existing tank to a graphics shop, they should be able to photograph it and reproduce it by measurement. You can have them reproduced for personal replacement without any issues. I did that with my Road Toads. I got 4 sets for $110 if I remember correctly. Victor

You have two beautiful Hodaka's. Did you have the 50th anniversary badges made specially? They look fantastic. I thought if need be I would have stencil a copy of the decals and then cut a copy by hand. Your idea requires a lot less work.

[viclioce]

No. The 50th Anniversary badges were purchased from the Hodaka Club!

I actually have 4 beautiful Hodakas! And an extra Model 03 motor, a n Ace front (low) fender, Ace swing arm, seat & chain guard, extra Road Toad rear fenders, speedos, and a box full of internal motor parts, clutch assemblies, gears, shafts, head bolts & nuts, a two sided tackle box full of carb parts, floats, slides, needles, jets, and God only knows what else!

But, even though I’ve thought about parting with some of this stuff, I tell myself the minute I do, one of the grandsons will damage the part I sold and for which I no longer have a spare! LOL! It’s an addiction!!! Victor

[byarwin]

That is not the serial number, it is the case number. The engine number is at the front of the engine on the right side. About one inch to the right of the exhaust nut. ------------ Clarence

Thanks Clarence! I'll pass the information on to him.

[byarwin]

No. The 50th Anniversary badges were purchased from the Hodaka Club!

I actually have 4 beautiful Hodakas! And an extra Model 03 motor, a n Ace front (low) fender, Ace swing arm, seat & chain guard, extra Road Toad rear fenders, speedos, and a box full of internal motor parts, clutch assemblies, gears, shafts, head bolts & nuts, a two sided tackle box full of carb parts, floats, slides, needles, jets, and God only knows what else!

But, even though I’ve thought about parting with some of this stuff, I tell myself the minute I do, one of the grandsons will damage the part I sold and for which I no longer have a spare! LOL! It’s an addiction!!! Victor

Sounds like your grandson's hit the jackpot with you. I have no children though there are plenty of neighborhood kids. Their parents call me their rent-a-uncle. These kids have literally grownup hanging around the shop. For that matter so did some of their parents. Every time I bring a vintage motorcycle home they marvel at it. You guys actually raced those??? I've taken a couple bikes out to the local MX track and let them run a few laps. It's always a hoot listening to them afterwards. It's a good hobby to have.

My wife doesn't always agree with that statement. Matt