Could somebody tell me what the $%#@ this is?

[brentde3]

Never heard of Hodaka before, but the almighty Wiki tells me that it was a joint American/Japanese concern in the 60's/70's. I only ask because the bike is just about in my own back yard. (Morris is a small place.)

http://oneonta.craigslist.org/mcy/1890524586.html

[Arkansas Traveler]

aaaahhh YES! Nearly killed myself (and my brother) on my cousin's Combat Wombat in '74-'75! Hodaka's were for those of us too poor to get a Yamaha!

[Sniper X]

t is called a Combat Wombat, made by Hodaka, worth a bit of money in excellent condition, and hell of a fun bike to ride, reliable and torquey for it's day.

[Oldbutslow]

It's a cult wrapped in a motorcycle! ,BK

[Sniper X]

The Combat Wombat was the race version of this, the Wombat, which is and was street legal and an "Enduro" bike for riding on the street dirt or racing off road enduros. There were even guys who raced them in the iSDT a few years.

[Sniper X]

oy, if that thing runs, go buy it for a GRAND! I see them in that condition fetching 2 to 3 times that much, as noted, it is a cult bike to the Nth degree!

[Mista Vern]

Originally Posted by Sniper X

t is called a Combat Wombat, made by Hodaka, worth a bit of money in excellent condition, and hell of a fun bike to ride, reliable and torquey for it's day.

Although one quickly learned to carry an extra plug or two, to get ya back home.

[Uncle Ernie]

When I was in Jr High School, I had a poster of that on my bedroom wall.
> sigh <

[brentde3]

Wow. I didn't know this bike was so loved. I might wander down the street to take a peek. Of course, if I let another bike follow me home my wife might have a fit .

[HapHazard]

I had one. There was a story in "Cycle" magazine that called the Hodaka a "jig-saw puzzle", but it was about excessive modification (and what is now known as "farkeling"). This was in '76, the dawn of "long travel suspension", and everybody was modding their older bikes. I increased the travel on both ends by about 2" (pulled out the fork springs and made up air caps after removing the topping springs, put RM 125 shocks on the back, moved the mounts forward on the swingarm). Hodaka made an enduro-cross kit that included a new piston, reed valve cylinder and high compression head with bigger finning and a larger Mikuni carb and manifold which I installed. I also put on a "Whisperin' Smith" tuned pipe. It made good power with those mods - before it was pretty weak.

It was VERY light and handled well - at least for the time, anyway.

The "electrical system" was a sad joke. I removed the battery and all the wiring and just left the lights on it for Johnny Law.

Also, look INSIDE that beautiful chrome tank (I mean it, it's a treat for the eyes), because they had a tendency to develop rust inside.

Originally Posted by brentde3

I might wander down the street to take a peek. Of course, if I let another bike follow me home my wife might have a fit .

In stock condition, you can tell her, "look what I bought for you, dear!".

[mykill]

Do it. The wife will think it is cute and forgive you. Otherwise it will be obvious that you made a bad choice... On the wife, that is.

[NMTrailboss]

Cool bike! I wouldn't mind owning it!

[ausfahrt]

Originally Posted by brentde3

Wow. I didn't know this bike was so loved. I might wander down the street to take a peek. Of course, if I let another bike follow me home my wife might have a fit .

Just remember that "loved" is a relative term and that bikes that are loved by those of us that frequent this forum can mean ignored by the general population.

Just sayin'.

[bmwhacker]

My first MC experience was on a Hodaka 90 back in 1968. My brother turned me loose on his in a field next to our house...all was well after a couple laps around the vacant lot next door. I proceeded to pull into our driveway, somehow I slid back on the seat cranking the throttle wide open. The bike "wheelie'd" and came down on the trunk of my Bro's new 1968 Olds 442. Rather than beat me silly he took me out into the surrounding hills where there wasn't anything to run into, other than sage brush....That was the beginning of a life long love affair with two wheeled machines.

I bought this 1970 Hodaka Ace 100 a few years ago at an auction for a whopping $250.00. Fun old bikes.

[Skooter]

They put a Hodaka motorcycle shop in my tiny TN hometown! (Centerville, pop 2400) Within walking distance to my house! I was 9 or 10. They also carried Chaparral bikes. The T80 which was my personal favorite. Never got one though.