The Hodaka Club Forum

Is there a way to tell the date of old Nitto knobby tires?
Thanks for any help.

The Date Codes are molded into the tire and I`m rather confused on how to read them. Here`s why. I bought the last 3 Model 93 Front Tires Bill Cook at HPI had. I believe them to be 1971: EE1M and BPB381. BUT I also have a factory mounted 93A Front Tire that only has EAALV. All 4 Tires have 16301 on them . Model # 103A. Tricky! Joe Ormonde.

So how do you translate the letters and numbers?

That`s my problem! I know that the 1 in BPB 381 stands for 1971. We need someone that has the correct Code breakdown for these old Nitto tires. My Factory installed tire on my 1971 Super Rat shows BPB 381 and my 3 new ones do to. Another used one from a 1971 Super Rat HAS NO DATE CODE!!! The 381 in BPB 381 in one site shows 38th week 1 being 1971. WE NEED A LITTLE HELP HERE ! Rim codes are fairly simple. I`ll keep looking ! Joe Ormonde.

1 small correction! My Factory front tire reads BPB 301. What BPB stands for is beyond me BUT week 30 of 1971 does because my Super Rat was Manufactured in September of 1971. That would put the date of manufacture of the front tire in August of 1971. Joe Ormonde.

Thank you. That is what I needed. I just got a 1974 Super Combat and I was wondering if it had the original tires. My first Hodaka. It appears to be mostly original. The engine was locked, rod was seized. Got it freed up and have started the tear down. From what I can tell so far it has the correct cylinder but not the correct piston. No carb and exhaust pipe is rough. My tires are BXD 234 front and BXD 224 rear. Looks like they might be original.

From what it looks like , they are. Week 23 of 1974. Hodaka was unique in the date of manufacture. Let`s say you have a 1972 Super Rat manufactured in December of 1972, it`s a 1972. ALL the other Japanese Motorcycles had a cutoff date. A 1975 Honda was manufactured in 1974 up to July or August and after that it became a 1976. Hodaka was different. That`s why you see for sale Listings for a 1972 Hodaka Super Rat as a 1973. They date these Hodakas the way the other Japanese Companies did. My Super Rat was Manufactured in September of 1971. Hondas Manufactured in September 1971 were 1972 models. Just one more neat things about Hodaka Motorcycles! Joe Ormonde.

Joe Ormonde wrote: Hodaka was unique in the date of manufacture. Let`s say you have a 1972 Super Rat manufactured in December of 1972, it`s a 1972. ALL the other Japanese Motorcycles had a cutoff date. A 1975 Honda was manufactured in 1974 up to July or August and after that it became a 1976. Hodaka was different. That`s why you see for sale Listings for a 1972 Hodaka Super Rat as a 1973. They date these Hodakas the way the other Japanese Companies did. My Super Rat was Manufactured in September of 1971. Hondas Manufactured in September 1971 were 1972 models. Just one more neat things about Hodaka Motorcycles! Joe Ormonde.

I don't think that is exactly correct. Hodaka did not have model years. Only models that were produced between certain dates. Since the DMV and States required a model year, the date of manufacture became the de facto model year for Hodaka owners. In addition, many Hodaka's did not get titled until sold. This is why you might find a 1974 Wombat (model 94a), or a 1970 Ace 90. Or even a 1973 Super Rat, (model 93b).

I believe Ken Smith's Hodaka book mentions this. I know I read it somewhere from a reputable source.

$0.02

Roger

Really? What did I get wrong? How the DMV designates something wasn`t my point. Hodaka did not have model years? So what is my Super Rat? Model 93A no model year? When you buy parts Paul doesn`t need to know the Model and Year? Whatever. I`m out of smokes so Im Logging out now. P.S. Did they correct the misprint for the cover of that book? Thats a 1971 Super Rat on the cover, not a 1970. I know I read it somewhere from a reputable source. Joe Ormonde.

Wow... really?...

Joe Ormonde wrote: So what is my Super Rat? Model 93A no model year? Joe Ormonde.

Correct.

Humbug. Joe Ormonde

Hi Joe,
The bike on the cover of the Hodaka book is an original bike and has a manufacture date of December 1970.
Thanks
Paul

Neat!! A 6 Bolt Rear sprocket in 1970? I bought a January Of 1971 from the original owner that had a 4 bolt rear sprocket. It was Identical to the Schematics for 1970 Except for the air box. It looked like someone put a 1971 air box on a 1970 Model 93 but the original owner bought it brand new and swore it came that way when he bought it. I had it in storage in my Father In Laws barn in Mira Loma CA. and it was stolen. Bought it for $20.00 in 1985. The only reason that I believe the story to be true is that my brother Frank worked with the owners Wife and she was with him when he bought it. They both died as did my Little brother Frank so I can`t get any more info on that bike. Paul: Do you have the Engine Code Beginning No. for the 1970 Hodaka Super Rat? I`m sorting out all of my Super Rat cases and can`t find that information. Joe Ormonde.

Hi Joe,
I will try and look at the engine number for you but this is my last week of owning Strictly Hodaka and things are very very busy here. I expect the next few weeks to also be kinda crazy with lots to do. If you do not hear back from me in a couple weeks send me a wake up email please.
Please as of next week use [email protected] for my email. Thank you
Paul

Thanks a ton!! Joe.