The Hodaka Club Forum

After hiding this bike from the wife for about 15 years, now on its 50th Anniversary I'll be calling in all my wifey chits and starting resto of (what appears to be) a factory original 73 Dirt Squirt. I'd like to do a frame-up restoration of it and hope that the forum will tolerate questions as I go.

The detail basics are:

Model: '73 Dirt Squirt (Model 96)
Made: 12/1973 (early December? Has the 2-color tank emblems.)
Frame: E-08928
Engine: P-01310 (? very obscured, will verify)

Only things that seem to be missing are the air cleaner assembly, chain, front fender rubber flaps, and thought the original had a chain guard on the frame(?). I have its air cleaner joint booty, still flexible and not dried out. Somewhere over the years I found & stashed a set of very clean front forks (seller 'thought' they came from a DS). The tank has no dents at all and -might- just need a de-rusting of the inside and good polishing & new emblems. After I finish choking on my Wheaties from the Ebay cost of the air cleaner that would seem to be challenge #1. Would also want to recover the seat with a rear Hodaka logo cover.

When I first picked it up in 2007-2008 the engine spun over nicely and had spark; and I stopped there. I know my limits so plan to send the engine and carb out for a full rebuild/eval to someone smarter than me once I can afford it.

Can anyone spot anything else missing from this bike that I should anticipate?

Looks like it's pretty much there. Should be a fun project. As for parts, the air cleaners from the early Wombats (model 94 & 94A) were pretty much the same (aside from colors, air cleaner joint booty). Many of the other bikes (both Road Toads, later Dirt Squirt and 03 Wombat) also had air cleaners that looked similar, but I don't know if they mounted the same. So keep you eyes open from one of those style air cleaners and you might find a good deal. The chain guards from the early Wombats (model 94 & 94A) are also the same, other than color.

Good luck with it.

Thank you so much for that reply, more helpful than you know and offers some tangible routes for me.

As my dumb handle reflects, I honestly don't know much about what I am doing. But I've had a unrequited love for Hodakas for 50+ years and this is the first one which is actually mine. Between YouTube and absorbing posts from this forum I'm like a pig in mud. Probably whimpy sounding to some, but after a few years of family horror and misfortune this project finally brought a smile back on my face.

Write this down… Hodaka-Parts.com

Terry & Bev Larson, the owners, are really great people & will have everything you need! Contact Terry for your missing air box, filter, air intake boot, and any other parts you’ll need! They are great & Terry freely shares his knowledge & experience!

Hodaka Dave Rosier is a really great Hodaka motor specialist & just down the road from Terry!

Yes, please check your engine number. It’s not a typical Dirt Squirt engine number. They began with P62366. A P followed by 4 digits would be an early Ace 90, & the Ace 100 motors began with P20001. There are no Model 96 motors beginning with a zero. So get back to us on that. A pic would help!

The DS shares a common frame with the 94 Wombat except the frame number starts with an E instead of a C. So the air box, chain guard and just about every other frame part is shared with the Model 94 Wombat. And the tank is identical to a Model 95 Combat Wombat.

Good luck with your project! If you have questions, ask away! Victor

You know, that might be the reason the original source (an impeccable and well known collector) thought it was an Ace and not a Squirt. I hope the numbers bear out my own interpretation. Could you verify my impression or am I an addled old fart?

No need to validate Terry & Bev or Hodaka Dave. Familiar names of high reputation along with a few others I've read over the years. Just don't want to bother them until I'm with coin in hand.

Luckily I don't believe I'll need a new tank, but your cross reference along with dirty_rat to the air cleaner is sincerely appreciated Victor!

Added:
Frame: E-06928
Engine: P-69310

Both your frame number and engine number are correct for a model 96 Dirt Squirt (chrome tank model, there was also a later version the model 01 Dirt Squirt with a painted tank).

There you go! That motor number makes more sense! Victor

John. Here’s a great paint to use if you’re going to repaint the red on the Squirt! It second coats well, has a quick drying time & doesn’t require a base coat of primer. It’s the Rustoleum 2X Paint & Primer in one in Gloss Apple Red. It’s inexpensive and 2 cans will do 2 coats on all the red parts of the bike.

Easy to use, doesn’t crackle when applying a second coat & is a fairly close match to the original color. Victor

Here’s a Super Rat I painted with it! Victor

Yes, that Candy Apple Red had caught my eye before and was already on my list from your earlier posts. The longer I cuddle this Squirt the more I celebrate my good fortune. Aside from (what I think is) a non-factory seat cover this puppy is all original.

Have you got a pic gallery someplace of all your bikes? Just wanted to drool a little and genuflect at your good taste in bikes is all... (smile).

No, not out on the web currently. If you text me to my phone number, I can share pics of the before/after pics of most of the bikes I’ve restored. My number is (505) 913-0558. Message me with your forum name and phone number so I can save it! Victor