The Hodaka Club Forum

I have four Hodakas - three are dirt bikes. The Ace 100B is my road bike. It hasn't seen dirt in five years, so I decided to remake it into a road bike - street bars, street tires, low pipe, etc.

I bought a P.O.S. 94 Wombat for the engine and wheels. The Wombat had better brakes than the Ace. I cut up a Bassani high pipe and remade it into a low pipe. I have more work to do, but you get the idea. I put all the Ace 100B parts on the shelf in case someday I want to bring it back to the original.

Larry S

Nifty scooter! Um, seems like that pipe might be a bit loud for the street? Someday I'm going to build a strictly road machine . . .

Ed

I had a glass pack muffler in my parts stash that i welded on. It's not much loader than the stock pipe.

Larry S

Very nice Larry. Another Ace sleeper.

How much of the pipe did you have to fabricate? I have a Bassani on the wall that I had similar thoughts about. I'm considering using a 90 frame with 17" wheels and going more low and light.

What you have looks like it would still be happy on a gravel road. You could easily lever on some trials unis if you needed to expedition.

This looks more in the spirit of the original 90/100s but with serious suspension and 'stuff'. Well done.

The first 3" +/- is the original pipe. the next 3" +/- is exhaust tubing. The rest of the pipe is the Bassani that I cut into wedges so I could bend it up. Welding the oil soaked metal was a sum bitch. Clean,clean,clean before welding!

Larry S







3"

Very nice Larry.

Wow! Nice. I'd love to know how you calculated the dimensions of the wedges so that the pipe bend so perfectly followed the curvature of the frame cradle. Great work!

Matt-
I would love to wax eloquently about exaust gas expansion theories, but the fact of the matter is it was trial and error. The top end was fixed (the exhaust port). The bottom end was also fixed, sort of. I had to clear the swing arm and also the kick starter. A lot of masking tape was used to hold things in place. After that, it was just a matter of connecting point A to point B. Thank you for noticing the line. I tried very hard to follow the curvature of the frame.

Larry S

Very slick!

UPDATE: The engine was running rich before I added the modified Bassani pipe. With the new pipe, it was running a bit lean. I raised the needle one notch and that fixed it. I think I have the jetting dialed in. It starts easy and runs smooth through the RPM range.

I had to quit riding because I lost all the lights. I don't care about headlights and taillights, because I never ride at night - but I need a brake light.

Troubleshooting the system, I found the battery was 12 years old. The bike will run fine with no battery - the lights not so much. The new battery arrives next week. I will report back then.

Larry S

A ROADAKA! Sweet little project! Be perfect for the Hodaka Days Umatilla TT!

I bought a new battery,got the lights working and went for a ride. The engine is running great.The Bassani pipe really woke it up.The Wombat wheels have much better brakes than the Ace wheels. This bike will stop!

I still need to work on the gearing. It's geared to high. I can get about 58 mph in fourth gear. When I shift into fifth it will slow to about 50 mph. I want to be able to cruse at about 55.

Larry S

I geared it down but not enough. It was geared at 14T primary and 46T rear. I don't have a 13T primary but I do have a 50T rear. I bolted it on and went for a ride. It's much better but not enough. I can cruse at 55 but just barely. According to my Tiny-Tach I'm turning 3400rpm @ 55mph. I think I need a 52T or 54T rear to get it dialed in, but I am done for now. I want to put some miles on it and just ride before I make any more changes.

Larry S

Good call. Really nothing more rewarding than simply hopping on and going for a ride around the neighborhood unencumbered with thoughts of the next tweek.

I agree! I’m waiting patiently to be able to get out again.... Victor

Here's my Ace 125. 125 cc wombat engine with minor exhaust porting, and a modern 28mm carb.

Built on a 1966 Ace 90 Chassis. No modifications other than marrying a 94 key switch to the Ace 90 harness. Using a 14t front and the Ace overlay sprocket, it performs well and gets in excess 55 mph easily.

I also used an Ace 90 shift cover modified for 5 speed. I call it my Sleeper Ace. I still have the original engine, pipe, handlebars, etc., in case the next owner wants to return it to 90 cc.

The overlay sprocket I have is 50T. We are running the same gearing - 14T primary and 50T rear, but I'm geared to high. I see you are running a similar pipe. It must be the porting you had done. If I want to wring it out, I can do 60 mph in fourth gear, but when I shift into fifth, it won't hold it. I may have to give Ron Liddle a phone call.

Larry S

I have a raised exhaust port by 2mm (to 28mm from top, I think) and the pipe is a CPI Racing custom pipe that I had made. I'll have to double check my drive sprocket. I must be mistaken, it has been a couple years since I installed it.

60mph in 4th seems right, but I still have plenty of power in 5th. I've had it up to 65mph if I remember right and still had room for more. At first, I tried the 32t rear sprocket and the engine was severely taxed in 5th gear, similar to what you describe. I think it would have worked but decided to use the overlay until/unless I can find a ~46t overlay.

I just looked at your pictures closer. Are you running an 18" rear wheel? I still have the 17" wheels on mine which makes a huge difference.

Yes, I'm running a 3.50-18 rear. You are right that would make a big difference.

Larry S

After much thought I decided to replace the 50T rear sprocket with a 54T. I got a new sprocket from Terry. I'm happy to say that I guessed right.
The new gearing is 14T primary, 54T rear with a 3.50-18 tire. I can now cruse at 55 mph. I haven't done a WOT but I think it would be in the 65 mph area. I'm happy with that.
Larry S

Nice report! Cant wait to see if we have a HD 2021! Will you bring it if we do??? Bictor

If HD 2021 happens I will be there with my Ace 125 R, my Super Rat, and my Combat Wombat. One for the Umatilla TT, one for the Bad Rock, and one for the play day.

Larry S