I finally got the Ace out in the woods for some testing and fun. I will have to admit that this is the first Hodaka that I have ridden and man what a great little bike. I am really impressed with how it handled and how fun it is to ride.
It worked well in trials mode and I think it will be fine for novice to intermediate class vintage trials. The Shinko tires worked surprisingly well even in the mud. Where this bike really made me grin was on the 2.5 mile trail loop and I really think I will have to fix the original seat for some cross country racing or just plain old fun trail riding. Yep I,m hooked !
Neat bike! Makes me think of the time when it was truly accurate to say, "Not all good trail bikes are trials bikes, but all good trials bikes are good trail bikes." Specialization of trials bikes (especially seats) kind of put the end to that saying.
Ed
and man what a great little bike. I am really impressed with how it handled and how fun it is to ride.