What Frame is this with the Combat mtr?

[AndyL]

So, what the heck frame is this? First time I have not been able to figure out what I have.
Looks like a Combat or Wombat frame. Has all the parts for a Combat, with a J motor (020 bore but the piston is rusted in place).

No tag on the steering neck and no numbers stamped in the front down tube flange like a Wombat, Combat or Super might have.
No numbers stamped back by the shock mounts either, like the early Ace's.

Stamping on the steering neck reads A23(backwards 4 and a 1)08 See picture above.

Came out of a barn in Nebraska. Combat rear fender, Akront hi-shoulder rims. Combat pipe but it looks like the flame thrower or silencer was cut off and a plan stinger grafted on.

[rough rider]

Hi Andy, Cool looking project. I can not tell by the photo but the frame bracing under the seat does not appear to be stock..... modified? Richard

[AndyL]

Richard,
Here are some better pic's from the backbone/seat area. (new phone, gotta figure out the focus thing.............)

[Idahodaka]

Are there rivet holes in the neck? Might be a DMV serial number. Like someone removed the "Competition Only" vin plate to get it tagged.

[Bullfrog]

I'm thinking the same sort of thing. And I wonder if a little wire brush work might reveal the original frame number stamped in the steering head gusset. (possibly filled with Bondo??)

Ed

[rough rider]

Thank you for the photos, much better and it looks pretty stock. Richard

[socalhodaka]

Looks to me that maybe the tag was takin off, maybe another owner wanted to register it, and maybe the local LEO stamp a number. Here in California they put some kind of foil like sticker on your bike with a new number.

[AndyL]

Thanks all.

Makes sense, if a PO tried to register it to ride on the street. I will do some more checking for a number covered up on the steering head gusset.

Also, I think it may be sold; got a phone call from an ex Hodaka dealer from down in Oklahoma, and I believe we have worked something out.