Rescued a Super Rat from the crusher today... amidst a mountain of motorcycles destined for the crusher sat this sad looking model 93 Super Rat. A very early super rat; frame #B-37941.
Unfortunately the frame was broken and bent, but I was able to salvage the motor, sans L/R side covers, an aluminum skid plate, rear wheel and swing arm, and a few other small parts that could prove useful. I didn't have all the tools I needed so I'm headed back up in the morning to retrieve what's left of the front end.
Feels good to rescue another Hodaka from certain death...
Roger
(photo below is two stitched together to show the whole bike)
A bit of professional welding might resurrect the frame as well. Looks like most of it is still there. Unless of course you already have a good frame to use. Not to mention that there is a coil attached to the frame, which is still worth plenty all by itself. I would take the whole thing home and strip it down before abandoning any of it to the junk yard.
Between the HD14 Swap meet, online Auctions, and Doug, (flyingdg), I've got almost all the missing parts assembled. Major parts still needed are: chain guard, rear fender, and front wheel. Restoration and assembly will begin after the first snowfall...
I'm bringing this thread back up because I'm hoping someone might have a chain guard they would be willing to help me with measurements so I can fabricate one. I have a damaged Ace100 chain guard I want to trim down and I need someone with a (93) Super Rat chain guard for reference. If you are willing to help me with measurements, please contact me off-list. I do not need you to send me your chain guard but if you're willing I'll tell you what I need. It will be very easy to do, but it will need to be off the bike to get it correct.
Just putting this out there. I have a super rat chain guard in good condition I would trade. The one thing I need is an original super rat kill switch.
I thought I would post an updated photo of the Model 93 Super Rat rescue:
Hoping to have it ready to ride before HD15. This one has proven to be more intensive than my Ace 90 that I resurrected. (Some of you may remember the Ace 90 that I found buried in Dad's backyard). I have to mention though, I'm quite pleased with the paint color match. The ladies at the local automotive paint store are quite good at it.
The only parts that I'm missing now are the typical kill switch and chain guard. Luckily they are not critical for operation, i.e., aftermarket kill switches are available, but I'm still on the lookout for some killer deals/trades...
Roger always takes on the easy rebuild! He hauled this find over to show me when he found it and all I could say was "why would you build that" My hat is off to you Roger. Oh and I would like to publicly thanks you for the headlight and wiring my wombat for 12v. DG
These are obviously Super Rat chain guards. But I was wondering about the cutout shown on the left chain guard. Was it used on later or early models. I've seen 3 variations of this cutout, of which I have two in the photo. The one without the cutout came from a 93B but will be using it on my 93. Just wondering if anyone had an insight on this or is this just one of those subtle changes that were made over the production run.
btw, they are exactly the same size. The photo and the angle from which I took it makes it a optical illusion
Roger
Gary: the one on the left is yours. It turned out pretty good.
Pretty sure the cut outs are for frame clearance. The swing arm pivot is wrapped with about an eight inch plate in an open arc facing rearward. As the swing arm tracks through its range of motion, the parts of the guard that are cut out tend to approach the top and the bottom part of that structural wrap. Later models probably had more axle travel, or the guard may have been positioned slightly forward from earlier models. Whatever the reason for the change, I think it was to provide extra clearance in these areas.
Those pictures are great. Now I know what to look for. Anybody have one to sell or trade? My 93 needs one. When I 1st got It I had visions that I would take it to HD15, but some parts are very hard to come by.
Nice catch on the chain guard difference. My 2 cents is that the 93a and 93b had the chain guard with the cut out clearence. The 93 had the "smaller" swing arm (non cushion hub) which used the chain guard without the clearance cut. If I am wrong hopefully someone could let us know. My intentions for my 93's that they are as cols to original as possible.
