The Hodaka Club Forum

Hello everybody,
sometime ago I posted that I had found a combat wombat that had sat in a dark shop for a long time. I am pleased to day that she is running again, but I think there is some kind of electrical issue with the bike. She runs like new for about 15-20 minutes, then there is some kind of misfire. She sputters and eventually goes dead. After a cool down period, runs like new and cycle repeats itself... My mechanic friend Bill did a great job bring her back to life, and he thinks it could possibly be the condenser. Just wondering what you guys might think. Oh, I want thank Dale. He made me a laundry list of all the things to do to a bike that has been sitting. Thanks Dale. I live in Birmingham, Alabama and want to race this bike at the Barbers Motorsports
Park in October, AHRMA cross country vintage.
Thanks, guys
Marty

when it sputters and dies does it still have good spark?? Does it have new points? I have had more problems with points than condensers. However the symptoms do sound like condenser. Make sure there isn't a restriction in the fuel. Dale is very knowledgeable and always helpful. -------Clarence

As far as I can tell, it has good spark even when sputtering. The points are not new. My mechanic friend had me look for sparks coming from the points while engine is running. It did occasionally spark from the points, but only a little bit.
Marty

I had an old kawasaki 2 stroke snowmobile that had this problem, and it was an air filter that I put in it. I removed it and problem solved. I put those wire mesh cone style on it, and it was meant to run with no air filter, it was a 1978, the thinking was in the winter there was no dust LOL. I think they think differently now. You didnt replace your air filter with possibly a different type recently?

Once it warmed up, it got starved for air I guess.

Sure sounds like the condenser to me.

Sounds exactly like a condenser. Easy swap, might freshen the points while you're at it.
You will have a blast on the Barber course with that bike. You might consider some hand guards if you don't have 'em already.
-Laurie

Just wanted to thank everybody for the helpful input.Amanda, the filter was oiled and cleaned, looks good. Laurie and Darrell, I think you are right. I ordered the tune-up kit w/ points, condenser, and plug. Thanks again, will keep you posted on the progress. Hey Laurie, are you coming to Barbers?
Love to meet you; enjoy your youtube videos of racing.
Thanks, all
Marty

Thanks Marty!
I was planning on Barber's, but then they cancelled the MX portion, so I'm taking my crusty bikes elsewhere instead
Sorry to miss you, maybe catch ya at another race or the OK ISDT reunion ride?
Not sure if you've replaced a lot of condensers, there's great advice on some threads here. Probably the most important is to not over-heat the condenser unit while soldering (easy to do). I freeze some damp rags and wrap them around the unit and use a good quality solder iron. Lots of other tricks to there...
Anyway, good luck with the CW - my favorite Hodie!
-Laurie

Thanks Laurie. I hope Barbers will have the motocross back in 2015.
Marty