The Hodaka Club Forum

I have been hoarding my 250 Thunder Dog for almost twenty years with the intent to restore it. Well its is not going to happen now, so it's time to pass it on.

It is in really pretty good shape for sitting around its whole life. It looks like it was not ever ridden much at all and never saw the ground but was stored in a garage and shed all its life. Would be a easy restoration.

Question is, what is something like this worth? Or what would the range be?

TIA.

Where are you located? Victor

I'm in Northern California, San Francisco Bay Area.

You're asking Hodaka guys what one of the most rare bikes in Hodakadom is worth? O.K, well, let me be the first to say that there's absolutely no demand for these old, broken-down parts heaps, and that the best thing would be to deliver it to the first one of us who would be willing to take it off your hands in a charitable act of selflessness. I'll add that we are such a generous bunch of guys that I'll wager that whomever steps up to relieve you of your old, tired, neglected Tdog will not even think about asking you for a transport fee to take it away. That's just my guess.
Bill in VA

I sold a nice 250ED last year that I had listed on this site. Only takes 2 interested parties to get a good price.

lets see a picture

Here you go!

So what does the collective think?

I think it's Horrid! Have Clarence deliver it to me when he returns from Hodaka Days in June. I'd like to take it apart and make a sculpture out of it! Victor

Except for the zebra striped seat cover, it looks to be in good shape. Does the motor turn over? Does it have spark? Forks work? Etc?

Hi Vmxwinn,
Welcome to the forum. On the price range of the ED250 it is all over the spectrum. They are not a highly sought after model due to the stock suspension and power band, but they are still fun to ride. I currently own 5 of these, 4 complete and one roller. We have converted one to a MX racer, but it took lots of fabrication and money. We are going to see if it will be competitive in Vintage Motocross this year. The ones I own, I have paid $100 for the roller ( no engine, seat, pipe, etc.), and the complete bikes from $200 (not running, but complete) to $900 for a running one very similar to yours. From your pictures, the bike is missing a few items, has been ridden some due to the paint loss on cases, side covers etc. ( hard to say how much without seeing it), and it will need a seat cover and I am sure some additional TLC. I feel your bike, if it runs, should be in the $750 to $1000 price range. I have seen some really nice, showroom condition complete ones go from $1500 to $2750 recently. We will be out in your area at the Harry Taylor Cup Race in Marysville April 28th-30th. I would like to see it and make you an offer. Hope this helps on your questions.---Terry

thrownchain wrote:Except for the zebra striped seat cover, it looks to be in good shape. Does the motor turn over? Does it have spark? Forks work? Etc?

To answer your questions and maybe others that are wondering. Bike ran well nearly twenty years ago when I bought it. I that time I put in storage while I was restoring and racing AHARM post vintage bikes. It has sat in my shop ever since. Now the top end is stuck. Shocks are not blown and work well. Forks are good but I would put new seals in and change the oil. The seat obviously needs a new cover but the foam is excellent.

After years of building and racing vintage bikes here is what I would do to a 41 year old bike;

* Pull motor and put new crank seals and all other oil seals
* Fresh top end.
* Go through the Forks, oil and seals
* New tires
* Flush oil tank and injection system out
* Clean and check float level on Carb
* New air filter
* New seat cover
* lube all cables
* While the wheels are off disassemble the brakes, clean and lube cams
* Clean and Lube swing arm pivot and steering head bearings
* Replace all perishable rubber parts like grips, fuel line and filter, etc.....
* And do any cosmetic details as your heart desires. Paint some items, decals etc..

This is basically a clean, unmolasted, not thrashed survivor that would be an easy restoration project.

I agree with your restoration steps on this bike. I is not abused and is unmolested, which is truly a premium on a bike like this. What you would do is take care of the "ravages of time". Good luck finding a good home for it!

What is your asking price?

Thanks, Terry

I would agree with your pricing. Even someone like me who would consider it would consider the middle of that range a fair price. But I'm too far away for it. Going for it myself would cost me well over $4-500 round trip with fuel & travel expenses. That would buy a heck of a lot of the needed resto parts!

It's why I searched high & low for more local Hodies when I bought the Ace & Toads. They only cost me lunch & 2 tanks of gas in my truck! Now, I he had said Southern Colorado, I would have already been there & back!!! Victor

2Brothersvmxracing wrote:What is your asking price?

Thanks, Terry

Well I see this as an easy under $1,000 restoration project. And with the pricing for a good to excellent example In the $1500 to $2700 range I would put it in the middle at $900. I am open to resonable offers. PM if interested. Thanks

Looks like a good honest bike to me for $900 . Easy resto and dosent look very weathered cant expect much more than that for a forty year old bike.. Sometimes when you buy a cheaper bike it cost your more money in the long run .. Great buy !