My first steps into the world of Hodaka

[CameronD]

Oowee, it looks good already in its new home

Hey everyone! I have been recently encapsulated into the world of Hodaka’s. Growing up my dad always told me stories about the funniest dirt bike of his childhood, the Hodaka Road Toad. In my imagine it was a slow, super smoky machine type thing. I would never have thought that it would be in my garage right now.

Ive recently been getting into wrenching more and more lately and have been peer pressured by my uncle to get a project. It took a while to find one, maybe a firebird, maybe a rat rot project to do with him. But it was sitting right under my nose, the Hodaka Road Toad Model 99. He knew a little about the Hodaka before, i believe because of the Mikuni carb in other bikes he’s knowledgeable of.

But since getting it home ive checked everything and the carb was sitting cleaner than i could beleive. It has been sitting for 40 years ever since my other uncle broke his leg on it because my dad rode into him because he couldnt stop.

Ive gotten a new battery, new fluids, cleaned everything, got new keys cut but the clutch is sticking and theres a tapping like two skeltons screwing on a tin roof using a tin can as a condom. Just the beginning i suppose, ill try and include pictures and maybe some more updates? I sure hope when i get the chance to ride it ill meet some other amazing people with other amazing stories to share!

[bobwhitman]

What a score! That tank looks cleaner than when it left the factory. You have a real treasure, lots of fun to come.
Where are you located? Likely some fellow Hodakaphiles nearby.
Bob

[Bullfrog]

Welcome to the Hodaka world! I'm not sure I've ever seen a tank the clean! Zowie!

I hope you interpret the following comment as pointing out an opportunity to poke around in mechanical history (and not as a foreboding of doom). Y'all just can't trust half century old rubber parts which are intended to provide air-tight seals (crankshaft main seals). They may be OK now, but they will fail within a few hours of operation (if not sooner). So you should start planning on the adventure of "going inside" the cases pretty soon if you intend to ride the bike. My own attempt to simply run the old seals in a bike parked in about 1978 or '79, worked for about 5 hours of operation. And I lucked out when it was the clutch side main seal which failed and sucked transmission oil into the engine - which caused no engine damage. Commonly, it is the magneto side seal which goes first - and in that case, extra air is admitted to the engine, things go "lean" (and hot) and piston seizure usually results.

Get yourself a Workshop Manual - there actually isn't one for the exact model you have - but the 100cc manual(s) or the 125cc manual will give you most of the critical information, and the Forum folks will gladly fill in the rest. You'll find the engine/transmission to be pretty darned easy to work on - which was one of the original design goals behind the Hodaka Motorcycle.

Again, welcome aboard!
Ed

[CameronD]

What a score! That tank looks cleaner than when it left the factory. You have a real treasure, lots of fun to come.
Where are you located? Likely some fellow Hodakaphiles nearby.
Bob

Located in southern Alberta, there used to be a Hodaka shop somewhere around here Ill have to ask my dad. But it really was a score! And ‘Hodakaphiles’ Im gonna have to start saying that

[CameronD]

Welcome to the Hodaka world! I'm not sure I've ever seen a tank the clean! Zowie!

I hope you interpret the following comment as pointing out an opportunity to poke around in mechanical history (and not as a foreboding of doom). Y'all just can't trust half century old rubber parts which are intended to provide air-tight seals (crankshaft main seals). They may be OK now, but they will fail within a few hours of operation (if not sooner). So you should start planning on the adventure of "going inside" the cases pretty soon if you intend to ride the bike. My own attempt to simply run the old seals in a bike parked in about 1978 or '79, worked for about 5 hours of operation. And I lucked out when it was the clutch side main seal which failed and sucked transmission oil into the engine - which caused no engine damage. Commonly, it is the magneto side seal which goes first - and in that case, extra air is admitted to the engine, things go "lean" (and hot) and piston seizure usually results.

Get yourself a Workshop Manual - there actually isn't one for the exact model you have - but the 100cc manual(s) or the 125cc manual will give you most of the critical information, and the Forum folks will gladly fill in the rest. You'll find the engine/transmission to be pretty darned easy to work on - which was one of the original design goals behind the Hodaka Motorcycle.

Again, welcome aboard!
Ed

Thanks for the warm welcome! The journey into it has already begun and starting to take the engine apart may even begin tonight. I just had to get a impact driver to first but other than that its been electrical work so far. Ill definitely look into getting the manuals and shop guides because that would make it go together like lego, (hopefully). Luckily a 2 hour drive away from me is a classic bike shop with MANY hodaka parts and bikes for sale. Have to make the shopping list at some point on this journey. But thank you one again for these tips, i will definitely keep the forums close by!

[viclioce]

Welcome to the forum! I’ve done 2 Model 99 Road Toads! One green, for my grandson, one red, for my nephew! I am currently attempting to restore a front Road Toad fender! They are great bikes, fun to ride & put out a surprising amount of power for such a small motor! Welcome again! Victor

[givergas]

welcome lots of good info here almost need to join up if your going to tear it apart i could not of done it with out the great guys that share there knowledge freely. you mentioned a impact wrench heres some info that helped me ALOT........ If you have experience with other 2 strokes then you will no doubt find your Hodaka easier than all the others.
First thing that comes to mind is that there are 2 left hand threaded items. 1) the clutch nut and 2) the internal threads of the magneto where you screw in a puller.

Second thing is to split the cases inside of a tote or large pan in order to capture any steel bearings that can tumble out of the countershaft.

[CameronD]

Welcome to the forum! I’ve done 2 Model 99 Road Toads! One green, for my grandson, one red, for my nephew! I am currently attempting to restore a front Road Toad fender! They are great bikes, fun to ride & put out a surprising amount of power for such a small motor! Welcome again! Victor

Holly cow! They must be lucky to have you as a grandpa and uncle, thats awesome. And two successful restores of a Road Toad? Great work! That inspires me, and thank you for warm welcome! I appreciate it

[CameronD]

welcome lots of good info here almost need to join up if your going to tear it apart i could not of done it with out the great guys that share there knowledge freely. you mentioned a impact wrench heres some info that helped me ALOT........ If you have experience with other 2 strokes then you will no doubt find your Hodaka easier than all the others.
First thing that comes to mind is that there are 2 left hand threaded items. 1) the clutch nut and 2) the internal threads of the magneto where you screw in a puller.

Second thing is to split the cases inside of a tote or large pan in order to capture any steel bearings that can tumble out of the countershaft.

PERFECT!!! This will in no doubt come in handy for tomorrow when i get my hands dirty. Im going to print out the schematics diagram for the clutch and such. I might have to document this in a video form just so i can show the forums and get taught the right way!

[viclioce]

Check out this link. Scroll to page 3 and read about blueprinting your clutch! It’s worth the effort! Victor

http://www.hodakaclub.org/Resources/Doc ... d/V1-4.pdf

[socalhodaka]

Cameron, you can see by the link Victor sent is a copy of the great newsletter and just good read and info that the club has to offer. You would have access to 49 issues loaded just like the one Victor linked.

[viclioce]

Kelly! You beat me to it! I was going to get him hooked & then reel him in!

Cameron. Joining the Hodaka club gives you exclusive access to these resources! They are truly a great resource and only accessible by club members! For $24 a year you gain this access and support the club! Victor

[CameronD]

Kelly! You beat me to it! I was going to get him hooked & then reel him in!

Cameron. Joining the Hodaka club gives you exclusive access to these resources! They are truly a great resource and only accessible by club members! For $24 a year you gain this access and support the club! Victor

I didn't realize there would be such benefits, definitionally considering the membership later on this week. I would love to help the club out as everyone in the community has already helped me out so much. I went on google maps just now to see what the drive to Athena, Oregon would be like and It looks like it would be a day trip if things went good. Also thank you for linking that magazine today it really helped.

[viclioce]

Glad it helped you! Yes there are significant benefits in being a member, for the equivalent of $2 a month! Can’t say enough about good reasons to join! Those articles alone can be worth their weight in gold!!! Victor