The Hodaka Club Forum

Hello all,
I’m new to the forum. I have purchased my first Hodaka, 1968 Ace 100 model 92.
I have bought new fork seals and I’m trying to find out how much oil goes in each tube. I’m thinking, based on what I have read, that I will be using 15 weight fork oil. Any advice?
I’m sorry if this question has been answered already on this forum but I did a search and did not find it.
Thank you!

135 cc's per side. Here's something you will also hear again and again and again...get yourself a Hodaka Official Workshop Manual - the one that covers Ace 90, 100, 100B, and MX. It will prove many times over to be invaluable. They are available on Strictly Hodaka - one of our excellent parts suppliers. They also show up regularly on ebay. Oh, and Welcome aboard!! You're in for a lot of great fun!!

I think the Manual actually says that the oil should measure about 6 inches from the top when full. Or it could be 8 inches. Can't remember for sure but when I read that in the manual looking for the same answer, I remember chuckling to myself thinking, "yeap, that's 1967..."

The manual probably also says 135cc's. I just remember the measurement method and how comical it was to me.

Roger

Thank you. I will get the manual.
I am already having fun with the Hodaka. I love the simplicity of design. I have been restoring Japanese enduros for a while but this is the first Hodaka. I bought the bike sight unseen in December for $500. It was rougher than I had hoped but the engine is very solid and runs great. The original owner had, at some time, converted it to a strictly dirt bike with a very small chrome tank. He kept all the original parts in good condition. The original tank is in nearly perfect condition except one small dent that looks like it happened while in storage. I have tore it down to the frame and have repainted all the red parts. I am now in the process of putting it back together. Next will be making the engine pretty again.
I will post some before and after pictures when I get it done.
Thanks again,
Bob

WOW!! Good score. That "small chrome tank" is probably worth more than you paid for the whole bike. Awesome!! You did very very well! Looking forward to those pictures.

I can't work in the time to look up the specs in the Workshop Manual right now . . . but my recollection is that 15wt oil is going to be wayeeee too light. Will try to check it out as soon as I can.
Ed

Here's the info from the Shop Manual.

Should be two images attached.

This gets you the volume, but the mixture for the Older Ace forks...... that's an oldie. Others may have ideas.

Captain, is the system for designating "fork oil" weight different than that of nondetergent oil as described in the workshop manual? (ie 15 weight modern "fork oil" = 50 weight nondetergent engine oil.)

Matt, that was a question right? As in, "Does 15 wt modern fork oil = 50 weight nondetergent engine oil?" While I don't have the documentation, I am sure that the two are NOT equal.

I ran 10wt modern fork oil in my trials machine forks for ONE trial back in about 2004 (or so). The machine was un-rideable on any kind of up-hill. There was no significant damping in either direction. So compressing the forks was eeeeeaaasy and then on up-hills, the rebound was, er, um, energetic! And it kept bucking me off!

My own leaning on 30mm Hodie forks is that the "proper" oil is largely related to ambient temps. Cold day, lighter "wt" oil. Hot day, heavier "wt" oil. My 2 cents.

Ed

I just threw those numbers out, Captain. The question was really pertaining to whether the two different types of oils (fork and engine) use unique systems for designating "weight". Similar to how "gear oil" and "motor oil" use different numerical scales for designating "weight" (SAE 30 motor oil as per Hodaka recommendations is roughly approximated by 80W gear oil). For example, my modern KTM 450 SX-F uses 5Wt fork oil (the fact that there are probably more parts in the forks than there are in an entire Hodaka drive train notwithstanding). While we are on the topic, does anyone use dino ATF for fork oil anymore? That is all we used to use.

Simplifying the question. What weight of modern fork oil should we use in our model 92 Ace 100?

Max

And the manual says CAUTION> do not use a single viscosity oil only ---regardless of rating,as the proper damping effect can only be achieved with the recommended mixture.
Ace 100 manual recommended fork oil 4.5 oz or 135 cc. Recommended oil mix 60% SAE 80 Wt gear oil mixed with 40% SAE 30 Wt motor oil service MM. Mix oils well before adding to forks. ---------Clarence

Thank you everyone. I had no idea that the fork oil question would lead to this much discussion.
Here are a couple of the bike when I picked it up.

Sweet! You did great!! Is that a Hooker expansion chamber?

More pictures, parts that came with the Ace 100

Holy smokes!! You made a great investment on a great bike and probably quadrupled your money. NICE!!!

I’m having problems finding 80 weight gear oil. Do you think 80/90 would be ok?

Since over a half century has passed since the workshop manual was written and we put oil in our Ace 90 forks and almost that long since we poured non-detergent oil in something, surely a one solution answer has been developed to pour our last century forks.

C'mon.

Maxie

80/90 or motor honey. Bottoming out, add oil. too soft use heavier oil. Not science just variables, speed of the apple verses weight and the size of the bump. Does not hurt to read the manual, as figure 102 measure oil at 12&3/4 from the top of the handle plate, machine unloaded. The most of us weighed less in 1965, today we might need heavier oil? No cabin fever here in Montana 49 degrees yesterday.------------Clarence how do I add smiles that erase frowns?

As with oils for any purpose there are as many opinions as there are options... ATF will work just fine for cruising around town.

30wt non-detergent motor oil is readily available at your local NAPA. You can mix it with a lighter weight fork oil (10 or 15wt) to thin it down a bit. Then 4.5 ounces per leg on the 92 Ace 100.

Or, just purchase a modern fork oil in a weight that works for you and pour it in. I am using Maxima or BelRay 20wt in my Hodaka's. As Ed stated, temperature will make a difference and it depends on what type of riding you're doing.