The Hodaka Club Forum

I have a Combat Wombat that has been reeded. It's a dog. My Super Rat will run circles around it. I assumed the DPO bolted on a reed intake and called it good.

I tore the engine down and was surprised to find the top end is Super Combat - piston, barrel and head. The reed intake is 32 mm, but for a regular two bolt carb, not a spigot carb. The carb on it is the 28 mm Combat Wombat.

The reason it was running bad, the piston ring had about 2 mm end cap and came out in three pieces. The barrel is .020 over with .006 piston clearance.

The easy thing to do is bore it to .030 with a new piston and ring, but I would like to put the engine back to piston port.

I would like to race the bike in the AHRMA Classic 125 class and bang handlebars with Captain Eddie. All advice from the brethren will be greatly appreciated.

Larry S

Larry,

Hot dang that sounds like fun! I have photos around here showing how I put Harry's advice to work and converted a reeded cylinder back to piston-port - it was a CW cylinder which had been ported for reeds. It will take me a bit to find the photos and send 'em, but it can be done.

NOTE: You could end up with a pretty pipey engine (road racer reeeeealllly pipey?) with that SC cylinder converted to piston port! (In fact, based on my knowledge base from the last century . . . I just wouldn't do it.)

Ed

If it has already been ported for reeds, there is really no way to run that cylinder any other way. The best solution would be to get a new combat cylinder, piston, etc. and return it to stock, if you want to race classic.

I will bet you could find someone who would want to swap CW parts for your SC parts. Less work and better results.

Dirty_Rat - we agree and we disagree. I agree that the "best" route here is to find a CW cylinder to work with, the engine will be wayeeee more fun to ride in Classic Class than a piston-port Super Combat. But we disagree on the concept of not being able to go back to piston-port induction with a reed modified cylinder. I was doubtful when I was told about it. But I followed instructions and successfully changed a "reed modified" CW cylinder back to piston-port induction . . . and rode it in competition for two or three seasons - including at Hodaka Days. (Hmmmm, this discussion may prompt a Resonator article.) I'm testing (also known as "playing with") a different cylinder right now, but the "JB Weld" epoxy modified cylinder WILL be going back on the engine before too long.
Ed

It seems finding CW parts and putting it back to stock would be the way to go. I would be interested in a swap.

Larry S

After searching part numbers, I found my cylinder head is CW and NOT a SC , so I will be keeping that. I still have a SC barrel and reed manifold to trade for a CW barrel and manifold.

Larry S

I need contact information for California Hodaka. Greg - Kelly ?

Larry S

Its not that big of a deal converting back to piston port. And making the engine more friendly than pipey can be improved alot by adding venturi dividers .in the carb, 3 on each side , six in all is best. I recently did a cerb for Henry Gregorich and his combat wombat while also going up to a 34mm carb and his performance was improved from off idle to wot. His testimony can be seen on my web site richstaylordporting,com. Oh what pipe are you using?

Rich

Thanks Rich for your input. The pipe is the stock early CW flame thrower. I'm not really interested in putting the SC barrel back to piston port. I think its' too valuable for that. My plan for it is to bore to the next oversize with new piston and ring and use it for trading material.

What I want is a good used CW barrel. Bore it if necessary, and new piston and ring.

Larry S