The Hodaka Club Forum

Hello All,

I have a Hodaka ACE100B+, Model# 92B+ serial # A-68890. My dad bought it for me in 1974 from the Cycle Service Center in New York City. They were using Hodakas for a messenger service business. It had a new cylinder sleeve put in when my dad bought it. It does not have many miles on it. If your old enough you may remember my father, he wrote for Cycle Magazine in the 60's and 70's. He had an article called "The Down Hill Straight" his name was Michael Shuter. I rode this bike as a teenager in Oklahoma on back roads and off road in Vermont in my early 20's. It hasn't run in ages. I have tried getting it to run but it won't start, it also had all the lights removed.

I will be honest I better at keeping things going than getting them to go. I can change oil, replace points, check timing, do brake work, set valve clearances, but electrical work and engine work I have never done. Im thinking about getting it back on the road meaning I would like it to be street legal. Any thoughts and suggestions would be welcome. I live in western NY. Thanks

I'm in central NY, and I can help with all if it.

You've come to the right place. Old bikes are wonderful, but they can be a PITA to get running if they have sat for ages. Be persistent.

--Bill

Well I just did one earlier this year! Yours is put together more than mine was, but it appears mine may have been more complete!

Start with the basics. Pull the motor. Take off the head & cylinder and inspect the rings and piston. Then split the cases and inspect the seals, bearings & bushings. The seals especially are most likely going to be dried out and need to be replaced. Also do the bearings and bushings and bore the cylinder and install a new piston & rings & upper & lower gaskets.

Once your sure the engine will be strong again and can be put back together, pull the carb apart and clean it. Remove the main jet, pilot jet and the needle and slide. Check your floats to make sure they don't leak and clean the air screw and its opening. Clean all the openings of the carb with carb cleaner and then put it back together. If your jets and orafices are clean then all that's left is your points and condenser.

I would start fresh with both of these, new points and new condenser.

Since you'll have the pipe off, make sure it doesn't have carbon build up in it. If it does, build a small Bonfire and put the pipe on it and burn it clean, get it nearly red hot but not glowing red and you'll burn it clean.

Do you have a Hodaka Ace 90/100 shop manual and the B+ add on for the bike? You'll need it. It has all the parts info, torque settings and dismantle and reassemble insteuctions for the bike.

Finally, our forum host, Strictly Hodaka, has most if not all the parts you'll need. Used parts as well, and then places like eBay for things like your lights and other odd parts.

Here's mine before and after! ; D Victor

If it doesn't have many miles on it I would put a little oil down the spark plug hole about a tablespoon, just to make sure it has lube . after a few kicks I would put the plug in and see if it has compression? When you tear down the engine I would check ring end gap, piston clearance's, I think it is wrong to bore a perfectly good cylinder or replace a piston that is clean and within spec. Your hodaka looks very complete, fun will be coming your way. ------------Clarence

Three things needed for an engine to run: spark, fuel, compression. Everything else is fine tuning. Verify you have these things. If no spark, the magneto is probably corroded and needs disassembly and cleaning or the points need cleaned or replaced. If no fuel, the carb is probably blocked with gunk or the petcock on the tank is clogged or the fuel line is plugged. Compression is harder to judge. But, plug out and finger over the plug hole, if it pops your finger off the hole when you kick it over, that's likely enough to get going. Some oil down the plug hole helps free stuck rings and raises compression, just don't overdo it as it will make a mess and foul a plug.

Clean out the tank, pull the float bowl off the carb, take a look around. Check the plug to see if it sparks. Probably something simple.

Let you know up front that the magneto will not come off without a proper puller. You can't fake this one. It has to be a screw in puller, and I think Paul has them for sale on Strictly Hodaka. Otherwise, just simple metric tools are needed.

Greg mentioned three things needed for the engine to run and he is correct. I would add the spark needs to be at the right time. (timing) --------------Clarence

Also, try to remember there are only 2 left hand threads on Hodakas. The nut removing the clutch and the threads in the magneto where the puller screws in.

Start with a compression check. You want 140 to 150 lbs. A little less is workable. If it's low dry, then goes up with a little oil in the cylinder, the rings need replacing. Spark is easy, lay the plug on the head and kick the motor thru, if there's spark you'll see it, if not, clean the points and try again. If still none change the pts and cond. If the inside of the tank has a strong varnish odor, the complete fuel system needs to be flushed out, tank, petcock and carb.

And since it's been along time since it's been run, the gaskets, seals and bearings should be refreshed as it's just good maintenance. Old parts fail over time.

Be sure to remove the nut and washer securing the flywheel before trying to pull it.Don't ask me how I know that.

Larry S

Ah, come on, tell us, we like funny stories...

Lucky for me I just striped the threads on the puller. The flywheel was OK.

Larry S

Victor thats looks like a really nice job. Thanks for all to good ideas. Must be hard to ride upside-down all the time:)

Thanks every one you have given me some good leads. Ill see if I can get it running. First things first.

And other good sources of info as the "ARCHIVES - Old Forum" in this group viewforum.php?f=5

Lots of info. Enjoy your new Hodaka!

--Bill

and at the Strictly Hodaka sister site the "FAQ" page http://www.strictlyhodaka.com/SearchRes ... p?Cat=2315

--Bill

And

the "Recommended Websites" page: http://www.strictlyhodaka.com/Recommend ... s/2272.htm

--Bill

Its an acquired skill! I can only do it with an iPhone & this website! LOL!!! ; D Victor