The Hodaka Club Forum

viclioce wrote: ... all of a sudden, Pop! No power! No spark. Can't kick her over. Had to push her home.

This sounds like an ignition issue, unrelated to the battery/no turn, tail, or horn. Did you tighten the points down? Did a black wire come loose and ground against the frame?

... The headlight is very dim until revving the motor up pretty good, but the horn, turn signals & tail light are not working.

These run from the battery. If you have a bad battery they won't work, probably not even when the bike runs. They may, but very weak. Dim headlight is normal but should reach full brightness quickly and hold steady. If it's fluctuating with rev's a lot, the VR is not working correctly, not necessarily defective; make sure it is grounded correctly. If it still fluctuates with rev's too much it may be defective.

$0.02

Roger

As far as adjusting the float level, yes, you have it correct. The brass arm that is hinged to the card body, when the body is held upside down, should be parallel with the gasket surface. If it is still overflowing fuel, either there is still dirt or some other contaminate in the float valve assembly, or the valve itself is damaged/bad. Make sure you get that corrected before you try to do any jetting adjustments as a leaking float valve will usually cause the engine to run somewhat rich throughout the entire throttle range. It can also cause the sparkplug to foul out quickly.

Got it. Float needle is new as is the seat. They look fine. I've just never adjusted these independent floats before and needed the provided confirmation. Thanks! Victor

OK. I decided to take one picture of the amended seat bracket for which I did the better job of welding. The other is not nearly as clean looking. But here's what I did. Pretty easy to see! Victor

OK. I pulled the tank, the seat & the battery cover, and found absolutely no ground (or other) wires disconnected. I did check the fuse as well. It looked OK, but I changed it anyway. Wonder if I should check the headlight bucket?

So there's no explanation for the keyed switch not working, unless it's a bad switch. I was concerned that the back of the ignition switch was not covered. I guess the locksmith took it off, and couldn't put it back on.

I asked myself what can I do about it? I cut a cardboard circle to put inside it, then brushed on some "liquid tape!" Soon as it dries I will remount the switch. On to the points check to see if the screw loosened up? :megreen: Victor

I believe that the back of the switch was not originally covered.

Ahh. Berry interesting! Well mine is now! No moisture will get in there & it won't allow any solder joints to contact the switch mount bracket either. Don't know if it was, but it's at least proventitive now! Victor

Looks like the points for the Red Toad Broke! Started removing them last night but ran out of time. Had to go to choir practice. I'll be out there again this evening as soon as it starts to cool off a bit! Victor

Points didn't brake after all. I was able to pull the flywheel, remove & inspect and re-install. It got dark & I needed to make dinner, so I stopped for the night. I'll know more tomorrow! Victor

Yep. It was just the points screw loosened up! Got it tightened back down & gapped correctly again & she started right back up!

The nephew rode her today, up & down my street & around the neighborhood! Adjusted the clutch a little more, got the floats working right & also replaced the bowl gasket & one piece of fuel line. Turns out the clamp holding the fuel line to the intake tube on the carb had cut through the tube and it was dripping as well when I finished adjusting the carb.

She seems to like the 160 main jet! She starts in warm weather without the choke. Adjusted the idle down a bit so it wasn't so high, and she starts always with just one or 2 kicks and no throttle.

Also had to make a minor lossrning of the clutch cable. She was still slipping a bit on take off in first gear, but a couple of revolutions seemed to do the trick!

She's almost ready for the DMV! Still thinkin about changing the rear sprocket from a 62 to a 56 tooth. Victor

Great looking bike, Victor. Another one back from the abyss.

Thanks Matt! She's almost done. Still needs a new, functional battery, so I can test the lights & horn. The clutch cover is dripping a little bit of oil, so I need to drain the oil & check the gasket. Still have a spare if something happened to it.

The tank got a few screatches in it, down to the primer. Don't know how, but I'll need to sand, blend spray and clear coat again. Then buff it and add the graphics. But she doesn't leak fuel any more so that's a new plus. About 98.5% there. Also still need to pull the Triple Tree and extract 2 broken screws I missed during initial mock up. They were broken off inside below the surface so I didn't see it. Need to do it so I can mount the front fender mount at 4 points and not 2. New photos to follow with her all buffed out and decals & badges on the tank!

Man this bike sure frustrated me for a while! I had to walk away from it and clear my head to think straight again. It was all simple stuff which was keeping it from running, but I kept overthinking everything and assuming it was worse than what it really was!

Not if I can just find a good used RT pipe for the Green Toad! Victor

Details details. That's a lot of the fun though. I'm trying to put the gear together to build a painted tank Dirt Squirt sleeper and I'm having a tough time getting any of it together. I'm dreaming of the day where I can get the broken screw extractor out . That's a loooong way off for me. Great bike Victor. Now you can dream of the day your nephew's great great great great grandson turns the throttle for the first time! How cool is that?!?

Had never thought about it like that Matt! Kewlio!!! Victor

It's why we do what we do. Pulling the past back from the brink so we can project it into the future.

Spent 3 hours yesterday successfully dropping the Triple Trees & drilling, tapping & rethreading the lower tree for the fender mount bolts which were broken off inside the tree & put it all back together again. Also just about done with the repaint of the fuel tank! Just need to clear coat it now! Victor

Mounted front fender & front wheel last night. Guess I'm getting older! I couldn't mount the front wheel solo! Had to get my grandson to lift the front end for me to be able to line everything up. Trying to finish the tank paint redo. It got scratched up and there was one section of filler which had some air holes. If I don't get it this time, I'm going to strip the tank & start again! Pics to follow! Victor

I think the UFO front fender looks good!

Also got 2 good, heavy coats of clear on the fuel tank today! Almost done! Victor

Got the second coat of clear coat on today. Tomorrow is wet sand with 2000 grit and buff it out. Then I can apply the graphics I've been saving! I'm sure glad I did the air cleaner graphics just black & no colored background! Victor

Crap!!! Yesterday, my grandsons were putting away tools while I wasn't with them. And wouldn't you know it. The second brand new paint job on the tank! Yup. Someone scratched it! Right on the top edge! Damn!!!

Now I have to sand it and try to blend it. If it doesn't work, it will mean a 3rd repaint.

Uughhhh!!! Victor

AAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGH!!! I want to see the finished bike! Sorry Victor.

AAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGH!!! Is Right Matt! You're not the only one who wants to see it finished. Good thing it's a 3 day weekend! LOL!!! As I tell other people, "I don't work on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, but I'm off on Thursday, Friday & Saturday!!! If only I had some "free time!?!?!" LOL!!! Victor

Bring it on home, Victor. You'll have great stories to tell with your crew around the campfire about the "never-ending project".

Hopefully, the never ending project will end this week!!! Victor

OK, Matt. I sanded the chips and put some glazing putty over it. When it dries, I'll sand it smooth, spot primer it & see if I can blend it back in. Fingers crossed!!! Victor