The Hodaka Club Forum

I'm beginning to tear into another 94 Wombat. I have one currently in the daily rider rotation that is bone stock. This new one is a runner that the DPO (Thanks to the Captain for hipping me to that abbreviation) stripped down to an MXer (sans lights, horn, etc). The motor is still piston port induction. On the minimal test ride I took after getting it to fire, it seems to have stock transmission gearing and has stock countershaft and drive sprockets. It will get the usual seals/bearings/bushings and service item resto. I'm going to go "woods weapon/play bike" with this one. Here are my questions:

1) How large can I reasonably go on front tire width with a stock 21" rim?

2) What would be an effective countershaft/drive sprocket combination for an unmodded motor? Terrain here is hilly, deep sand, loamy and muddy.

3) The stock lighting coils are still attached to the mag plate. Do these need to be replaced with blanks or can I run the bike as is?

As always, thanks to all!

My W'Bat 94 came from the DPO with a 4.00x18 rear and a 3.25x21 front, both Kenda K270 (??). Both seem to fit the "WM-1" width rims OK. The rear tire would rub the chainguard but the hub is shimmed over on the axle with a 0.1" washer. The front tire has no clearance probs and might even be able tp go to a 3.5" width. But a bigger tire is heavier and you might not be able to "loft" the front as well. Supposedly the wider tires will "float" over muddy ruts better.

Thanks, Bill. I didn't think of the added weight of the wider front tire and low-speed front end lofting is a necessity on our riding land. Maybe adding a tooth or two on the drive sprocket will make up the difference. Did you encounter any chain alignment issues with the shim or is the 0.1" inconsequential? I like the sound of the 3.25" x 21 front. Thanks again!

Best,

Matt