The Hodaka Club Forum

New member but not new to hodaka...I have an Ace100B off a complete rebuild running Bellray gear saver and noticed today when I went for my secound ride since the rebuild the kick starter seemed to slip, more of a skip...rebuilt a couple motors and have not had that happen. Curtain I got all the rollers in. One thing I did replace was the kick start shaft with one in better shape.

It seems to be getting better, could it be how slick the Bellray is? I have always ran ATF or straight 30.

I suspect the kick roller retainer is at fault. This is a common symptom when the kick roller retainer starts to "spread". NOTE: I run Belray in all my Hodies and none of them have kick starter slipping problems.
Ed

That`s probably it. The first time I had to split my cases was because of the kick roller retainer. No matter what, put the Heavy duty Kick Roller Retainer, Needles and Kickshaft when you go through the engine.I know these parts are pricey but that stamped sheetmetal part was the biggest problem in the Hodaka Transmission. Spend the money! I do! Joe Ormonde.

It all depended on how hard you had to kick. When everything was on the mark and the engine started easily, there was never a problem. A pitted shift shaft will mess things up. ----------------Clarence

I Never did kick my Super Rat! I stand by my comment. In my opinion they`re great for a cookie cutter or wind chimes. I`ll list one on EBAY just for YOU!!! Is $2.00 too much? I think so! Joe Ormonde.

It only happens if you kick it hard and it did start on the first kick after rebuild. I will roll with it for now and split the cases this winter for "inspection" and install the new retainer. Bore, piston and crank where done by Dave and I got the jug back soda blasted and painted...thats above and beyond, so prob be sending him my Toad crank and cyl when the time comes. I just need my 36T sprocket from paul cause the 50T is killing me...does about 40 and winds out in each gear in about two secounds. Happy to have it running after 15+ years in storage.

One other thing to check, before you tear open the cases. Check the splines on the kick start shaft & make sure the splines haven’t worn down. I had a lot of people tell me Kick shaft bearing retainer and I split the cases only to find the bearing retainer had already been replaced with the new & improved stronger one. Turned out it was the splines & I didn’t see it until I was remounting the kick shaft. So it’s worth the check. ; D Victor

A tip I got from E&K cycles, the previous owners of the Hodaka Parts inventory:

The inside diameter surface of the kick gear in the transmission can get burnished to an almost mirror finish. Mine was polished up "real good"

This is the diameter where the little pins try to grip.

E&K suggested sand blasting off the smooth surface.

I did that along with replacing the worn kick shaft.

Sort of a belt and suspenders approach.