The Hodaka Club Forum

My foray into motorized wheels started with a mini-bike I mowed lawns all summer to get. Then a Honda Trail 90 basket case, then a Hodaka basket case. For the past several years, I've been looking to relive my youth a little and always had Hodaka on the brain.

This one started it....De Anza Cycle Park, CA. I used to kick ass - usually my own. Hey, but I'm ahead of two guys at least...


Tried at satisfying the Hodaka bug with a 250 Thunderdog but couldn't ride it after I found out how much the tank and side panels were if I messed 'em up. Plus, the chrome tank just called me - even though my 2nd Hodaka was a Super Combat. Somebody on this forum owns the bike now, I think. Kelly helped with the sale and transport a few years ago.


But this week I picked up a 1 family - Dad bought it new in '75, gave to son as first bike, I bought from the son - '73 Wombat. 690 miles, original tires, great paperwork, etc. Found it on CL in Orange County, CA, and drove to Irvine Weds to pick it up.








Rustiest and shiniest part of the bike. I'll have to do some research, but I'm guessing the signals go under the bars?


Brake light switch


Orig receipt and registration + The Hodaka Story


I've been waiting to Boogie with a Wombat....so now's my chance


Accessories





I'm guessing from the overall condition and the brake pedal pad, this 41 year old led a gentle life


Big thanks to Kelly - So Cal Hodaka - for looking at the ad online and discussing the bike prior to purchase! Now for next June up to Hodaka Days. I've ordered some needed items from Paul and will proceed with the necessities. I welcome any comments or suggestions. Thanks for havin' me.

Ken, welcome to the group.

Thx Kelly - figured out the problem - me - and fixed it I think.

Thx for keeping the Hodaka bug alive. Good to have you local and I still remember the invite when we first met to go to Hodaka Days.....so now I'll take you up on it!

Welcome and congratulations on a nice find.

Regarding the turn signals; I think that they were intended to be mounted above the bars for visibility, but are almost always mounted below because they are just ugly otherwise… Be careful to mount them far enough out on the bars to clear the fuel tank at the steering stops on both sides.

Have fun!
Dale

Thx Dale.

Again regarding the signal lights...I have a 1976 Wombat (model 03) with similar signal lights. When you mount them under the bars it exposes the inlet wire hole to rain, so I just inserted some black wire coating around the wire to seal it. May look better with a clear silicone or anything to keep water from going all the way inside the light housing. I just think they look better that way and they are not so susceptible to getting broken if you ride it on the trail or in woods.

The sales brochure shows the turn signals above the bars. But here's a couple of pictures of my Wombat 94A just after I rode it home from the dealer in the mid-'70s. Only 12 miles on the clock. The front turn signals were mounted below the bars. So - take your pick and mount them however looks best to you.

TrophyHunter, congrats! I was looking at that same bike but couldn't manage to get the cash and time together, on vacation in Portland until Tuesday and thought if it was still around I'd take it. I think you got some fun times ahead. Did you get it for the asking price or? Either way it seemed like a deal with the history. How does it run?

I appreciate the additional info on the signals. Bevman - yes, I paid him what he was asking, especially after seeing all the docs. It runs but I didn't take it around the block as it'd been sitting for a bit. I want to dump the fluids, check the air cleaner, carb, etc. It shifted thru the gears fine.

I was actually driving up on Sunday but got caught in heavy traffic - 2.5 hours, 60 miles. We called it off and did it mid week. Looking forward to going thru the bike and getting some riding in.

This is my 125 1973 94A Wombat I restored. Took two years (took my time) Everything is original, All parts were buffed and polished plus parts from Paul and Bill. Your bike looks great not alot of work just some minor polishing and and a few parts. Turn signals are down looks better and better protection.
MTRob

Thx MTRob - put the signals down and will fill the holes with clear sealer once I check all the wiring. Great looking restoration and taking your time is what makes that work relaxing. The more I wander thru life, I find relaxing time important.

I got the "rustiest part" - signal indicator - off, used a fine brass brush on it, treated it with Extend Rust Treatment and painted it black. One thing down. New Shinko 241's arrived and a box o' parts is due from SH next week.

Great Keep all of us informed with Pictures on how your doing. Just loue mine. I used to race Suzuki bikes in the day. Have never owned a Hodaka
till a couple of years ago, now I'am hooked on these great old bikes and the people.
MTRob

Just an update. I treated the remaining rust on the signal indicator with Extend and painted it black. I'm not looking for a showroom resto, just functional and stopping the deterioration. I also wanted to save the "TURN" sticker in it's stock form.





Some glare showed on this pic but the item is all black.


Got some Shinko 241's, new tubes and rim strips as well as a nice order from Strictly Hodaka. Great service as I forgot about the fork boots until after the initial order. An email here, call there and in the box they went before shipping. Thx to Paul and the team!

Look-in Good, Great parts and the manual to. Keep us informed on how you are doing. What I used to clean up the rust that really works is Bronze Wool
Fine works great to get the rust off and make her shine. You can get it at Ace or Home Depot any hardware store it comes Fine, Medium, Hard, use fine on the stainless and chrome.
Thanks
MTRob

You answered a question I had for you on polishing the other items. Thanks for the tip, Rob.

I got the seat cover installed, carb cleaned - but it will be a do over once I get more internals in. Tank cleaned out of the little bit of dirt in it and my clean up and align project, the petcocks. It's coming along slowly but getting there as time permits.

Looking great, I keep watching and things look good take your time like on your petcocks it all adds up to a great looking and running machine.
MTRob