Super Rat fork tubes

[fossilrider]

Can anyone tell me if there is a source for Hodaka fork tubes, or where I could get my pitted ones redone? I had a set rechromed and ground to standard size a couple years ago but the only place I could find has stopped doing them. So, I sent them to Brooks Suspension in GB. VERY expensive with the shipping! Thanks, Foss

[mac]

Google Franks Forks and give them a call. I think they would have them or could make them. Might be worth a try ?

[taber hodaka]

Should be, some excellent used ones available?? Clarence

[fossilrider]

Frank's forks has been around for a long time, though I thought I had heard a few years ago that it had either sold out or closed down.? I know a lot of guys used to use them. I had also heard several years ago that their forks were on the soft side.? Who knows whether there was anything to that rumor or not? As far as used ones, number one; I don't know which, if any other Hodaka models would interchange ( all I see on ebay are for ace 90/100,Dirt Squirt, Road Toad, etc. and none listed for a late Super Rat which is what I have. Also the ones I see listed are in poor shape, like mine. Anyway, thanks for the replies, I will give Frank's a try. Foss

[Bullfrog]

. . . and have you checked with Hodaka-Parts.com?

Ed

[mac]

The Captain is right, check with Hodaka parts.com and see what Terry has. The models 97,98,99,01and 02 have the same part number for their fork tubes.
Frank’s Forks was closed for a while when they moved but it looks like they’re back up and running when I looked at their website.As far as the quality I can’t say because I e never purchased any.

[Joe Ormonde]

The Super Rat Forks in 1969 1970 and the first 300 1971 Super rat forks were the same. They had the damper rods welded to the Outer Tubes . Bad forks. Beginning Frame #B53413 came with far better forks. They were used on the 93A 93B 94 94A 95 and Model 96 Dirt Squirts. Look for 1969 1970 Yamaha AT1 Fork tubes or complete Forks. They are 30mm. The AT1 Fork tubes are I believe 1/4 inch longer than the Hodaka Tubes. You can remove the Outer Yamaha tubes and replace them with the Hodaka Outer Tubes. Done. Hodaka fork caps #938721 came on the 1969 1970 AT1 Yamaha . Hodaka fork Tube Caps #938721A screw on to the AT1 tubes just fine. The Hodaka Cylinders #938754 (Dampers) and the Yamaha AT1 Cylinders are the same. The Hodaka outer nut #938711 are Identical to the AT1 Yamaha . Sliding bushings are the same too. Basically, Yamaha was 2 years ahead of Hodaka on the fork Quality. I found out about this in 1974 when I took apart a set of 1970 Yamaha AT1 forks and compared them to my 1971 Super Rat Forks. Study the Hodaka Schematics and the Yamaha AT1 schematics and you will see just how many parts are the same . Joe

[Joe Ormonde]

I forgot the 92B+ Forks too. Joe

[bobwhitman]

Joe
How about a write up for the next resonator? I’ve by seen this information before and as AT1s are common, it could be helpful to others!
Bob

[mac]

Good information Joe, thank you !

[fossilrider]

Thanks for the input guys. I contacted Frank's and he said I could send a tube/damper/cap to him and he would look at it and could probably make them ($375, or maybe a little more?) but he is about 6 weeks out right now. I haven't sent it yet, hoping I could find something sooner/cheaper, but it is looking like I will have to bite the bullet and go with that since all I can find are used ones (Hodaka or AT1 Yamaha) and they are all rough, like I already have. Oh well, it's only time and money, right?

[viclioce]

I looked up 30mm upper fork tubes. Terry has new sets for $250. If you have an old set you can disassemble for the internal parts, you should be good to go! These are listed under a 82 B+ but all the later 30mm tubes are pretty much the same from the B+ forward as far as I’ve been told. Here’s a link! Hope it helps! Victor

http://hodaka-parts.com/item.asp?PID=4325

[Joe Ormonde]

Not in Stock. Joe

[viclioce]

Oh darn! I didn’t try adding them to my cart. It didn’t give the messsge until I tried! Thanks Joe! Victor

[fossilrider]

Yeah, I about jumped out of this chair when I went on his site a couple days ago,... and then I saw that they were out of stock!!!!!!! I tried to leave him a voice mail but his box is full!! And, I tried to send him an email but the only email suppliers I saw were ones that I have never had an account with! So frustrating! I have tried three different days to call him, during the hours he has listed, but no answer. There were a couple other questions I wanted to ask him also, like are his fenders a real Hodaka orange, since the pic looks more red. If anyone can tell me how else to contact him it would be appreciated. I hate to open another email account just to do this. Thanks again, Foss

[taber hodaka]

Some Hodaka"s were red orange and some were red and there is paint available. Patience We are glad Terry is open and has parts we need. There is no such thing as restocking his shelves with new hodaka parts from Japan. I think we are lucky to have some parts to choose from. Clarence