The Hodaka Club Forum

So pushing the bike around for pictures, I noticed the chain guard is still being rubbed by the chain, against the back of the guard. I even added a longer bolt and shimmed it back with 5 washers (see photo) but it still rubs! If I go back any further it will start rubbing against the rear tire. Any ideas? This is the Chain Guard which came with the bike. Chain rubs both top & bottom.

Also had a similar problem with the Model 03 chain guard. I ended up not using it on the 03. Thanks in advance! Victor

Do you have the correct wheel spacer? Collar there is a left and a right one. -----------Clarence

Hey Victor, cold you post a picture from the back of the bike. It looks like it is rubbing on the outside of the chain guard suggesting you are shimming it in the wrong direction with your washer stack.

Let me get a charge back on my phone & then I will get a few pics from behind the back wheel. Victor

Here’s a view straight on showing the chain against the bottom of the guard. Vic

Here’s rear view pics. Victor

More fun! I bought a 73 Dirt Squirt that had a 71 Super Rat Cushion Hub and a Kawasaki sprocket collar. It took 3 spacer changes and a Cushion Hub to correct it. It looks like it may be more than just one wrong part. Bummer! Joe.

Victor, here are a few shots of the area of concern. I'm sorry if you have to tilt your screen to see them properly. I don't know if it matters that the axle is reversed on my bike compared to yours, but it does show the positioning of the spacers. I hope you find these helpful.

On further inspection, it looks as though the left spacer is riding up on the chain tensioner which is throwing the rear wheel out of alignment. I can't quite tell from the photograph, but it just doesn't look like it is sitting flush. When you sight along the rear sprocket to the front, is the chain properly aligned? It is critical that the countershaft and drive sprockets are as perfectly aligned as possible or they as well as the chain will wear very quickly and/or you will throw the chain with the usual damage to the mag cover and left case. Perfect sprocket-to-sprocket alignment is a nonnegotiable step in rear wheel fitment. There can be no induced angulation of the chain over the sprockets. Check it out.

It looks like the left collar (spacer) is too long. My guess. Joe.

If this is a parts bin build, or of questionable ancestry, remember there are a couple different rear sprocket carriers that also determine offset.

Absolutely! I shake my head when I see a Hodaka on EBAY for sale that`s what I call a Frankenstein. A Gas tank from one model, a Fender from another and so on. A Wheel from this and a Throttle from that! A Restoration? No. Pieced together BUT Pretty! Joe.

Correct front sprocket turned the proper direction?------------------Clarence

Matt, according to the online fiche, I have the axle mounted correctly. The picture below shows the spacers, but it doesn’t show any differences in them.

When I removed the axle, I put everything on the axle in the order it was mounted when I removed it. Of course, that doesn’t mean the P.O. didn’t remove and re-install them incorrectly? I need to know if it’s not assembled correctly. But I don’t have a specific reference other than the way I took it apart.

Let me check if the 125 shop manual shows a more specific image of the spacers & rear axle assembly! Victor

Is it possible that the left side spacer is on backwards? It looks like my left spacer sticks out a bit while yours doesn’t.

As far as it being a parr’s bin assembly, NOPE. Unless it’s a DPO change I’m not aware of, all parts came off the bike & when back on again. Victor

Was this bike all together when you got it? Did it have any issues then? Possible wrong chain guard?

The bike was together but not running, throttle was removed from handlebars & the cable was still attached to the removed carb. No clutch cable was on the bike.

It doesn't show on the parts list, but you're missing a spacer. Approx, 5/8" long.

Is that on the lower chain guard bolt? I believe I’ve made up that difference with the washers I used. If I go any more than what I have now, the chain guard could rub on the tire!

But I’ll go look for a 5/8” spacer. Thx. Victor

It goes where the washers are in your pic. It'll just a tube. Tire rubbing the guard is a common problem.

You are correct Victor. The axle can go either way. I like to install it backward from what the schematic shows so I can lean it to the left on the triangle stand. All kickstands on the race bikes have been removed as per the requirements of virtually every track I know of.

Could it be in the wheel bearings or the snap ring? ------------Clarence

What did you figure out?

I didn’t. I cut my finger trimming down a bushing I purchased today. So I didn’t do anything but put it back the way I had it. Victor