Hodaka motorcycles have a strong following in the US.The company was based in Athena, Oregon from 1961 to 1978.
When a manufacturer ceases to make motorcycles, a number of things happen. First, the dealer network is offered all unsold bikes and parts at a "special" discounted price. Next, the specialist press members get a statement (if they hadn't already heard and published an appropriate article) outlining why the company is no longer going to be trading. And finally, over a number of years, a group of enthusiasts keeps the marque going by making parts as they become obsolete. And so it was with Hodaka motorcycles.
The Hodaka company operated (in the US) from 1961 to 1978 from a base in Athena, Oregon. During that period, the company manufactured a range of small capacity off-road and competition dirt bikes that earned a strong following of enthusiasts. One such enthusiast was Paul Stannard.
Paul has been involved for more than 18 years with Hodaka motorcycles. Not only does he ride them, he has a collection that makes up a small museum. In addition, he manufacturers many of the hard to find parts for Hodakas--some of which are updated to improve the original design where a weakness was found.
Keeping the Hodaka motorcycles going is a labor of love for Paul and his wife Patti. In addition to their Hodaka parts business they also operate a successful sausage making company, selling specialist sausages all over the world.
Of the machines in Paul's museum, one has had more attention than all the others: the Mini Rat, which was built by Lee Fabry
Brand Loyalty
The story started on the way back from a MX meeting in Arizona in early 2002. A conversation between two friends, Lee Fabry and Paul Duchene, brought up the subject of a bike the two considered should have been made by Hodaka: a mini bike. (Most of the Japanese manufacturers made mini bikes to encourage brand loyalty from an early age which proved to be a very effective marketing ploy.)
Some years later Paul Duchene found a Hodaka 55-cc engine on eBay -- a unit that neither of the friends had previously heard of. The decision was made to build the bike the two friends felt Hodaka should have made.
The challenge in producing this bike was to keep it proportionally correct. The little engine was effectively 35% smaller than the factory 100-cc unit so Lee decided to (whenever possible) maintain this percentage difference.
An Ace 90 frame was modified by removing unwanted brackets (the horn mounts, for example) and was shortened and lowered three inches. The swing-arm was also shortened three inches.
Making a set of forks to match the sizing of the new machine was a challenge, according to Lee: "The 27mm fork tubes came from an Ace 100, although they were still too long, so I machined internal travel limiters to reduce the overall height. The fork tubes were mated to 1978 Dirt Squirt 80 Hodaka fork legs which when chromed, look exactly like the Super Rats, only smaller and shorter."
The wheels were also taken from a Dirt Squirt—16" front, 14" rear. Cheng Shin Nitto tires were used. Modified NOS fenders were used (an Ace 90 inner rear for the front, and a 125-cc front unit for the rear).
Fuel Tank
The fuel tank was one of the few items entrusted to an outside supplier. A stock tank was reduced in size by 2" in the width, 3" in the length and 1" in the height by Cole Foster of Salinas, Ca. The quality of the finished product can be judged by the fact the tank did not need any filler and was chrome plated after the modifications. "The end result was amazing - although very expensive - but worth every penny," said Lee.
Final specification:
Engine/Gearbox
55cc Hodaka prototype from Yamaguchi to Hodaka, circa 1963. The bore is 42mm. 16-mm Mikuni carb. Four-speed transmission.
Dimensions
Wheelbase 43" Seat height 26" Weight 125 lb.'s (dry)
The little bike took Lee approximately 120 hours to complete, but was well worth the effort. It can be seen at many of the Hodaka events (Hodaka Days in Athena for one). As a tribute to the workmanship, it took first place in its first show after completion (the Bator International Classic in Hanford, Ca.)
1. Strictly Hodaka
When a manufacturer ceases to make motorcycles, a number of things happen. First, the dealer network is offered all unsold bikes and parts at a "special" discounted price. Next, the specialist press members get a statement (if they hadn't already heard and published an appropriate article) outlining why the company is no longer going to be trading. And finally, over a number of years, a group of enthusiasts keeps the marque going by making parts as they become obsolete. And so it was with Hodaka motorcycles.
The Hodaka company operated (in the US) from 1961 to 1978 from a base in Athena, Oregon. During that period, the company manufactured a range of small capacity off-road and competition dirt bikes that earned a strong following of enthusiasts. One such enthusiast was Paul Stannard.
2. The Bike Hodaka Should Have Made
Paul has been involved for more than 18 years with Hodaka motorcycles. Not only does he ride them, he has a collection that makes up a small museum. In addition, he manufacturers many of the hard to find parts for Hodakas--some of which are updated to improve the original design where a weakness was found.
Keeping the Hodaka motorcycles going is a labor of love for Paul and his wife Patti. In addition to their Hodaka parts business they also operate a successful sausage making company, selling specialist sausages all over the world.
Of the machines in Paul's museum, one has had more attention than all the others: the Mini Rat, which was built by Lee Fabry
Brand Loyalty
The story started on the way back from a MX meeting in Arizona in early 2002. A conversation between two friends, Lee Fabry and Paul Duchene, brought up the subject of a bike the two considered should have been made by Hodaka: a mini bike. (Most of the Japanese manufacturers made mini bikes to encourage brand loyalty from an early age which proved to be a very effective marketing ploy.)
Some years later Paul Duchene found a Hodaka 55-cc engine on eBay -- a unit that neither of the friends had previously heard of. The decision was made to build the bike the two friends felt Hodaka should have made.
3. Proportionally Correct Mini Bike
The challenge in producing this bike was to keep it proportionally correct. The little engine was effectively 35% smaller than the factory 100-cc unit so Lee decided to (whenever possible) maintain this percentage difference.
An Ace 90 frame was modified by removing unwanted brackets (the horn mounts, for example) and was shortened and lowered three inches. The swing-arm was also shortened three inches.
Making a set of forks to match the sizing of the new machine was a challenge, according to Lee: "The 27mm fork tubes came from an Ace 100, although they were still too long, so I machined internal travel limiters to reduce the overall height. The fork tubes were mated to 1978 Dirt Squirt 80 Hodaka fork legs which when chromed, look exactly like the Super Rats, only smaller and shorter."
The wheels were also taken from a Dirt Squirt—16" front, 14" rear. Cheng Shin Nitto tires were used. Modified NOS fenders were used (an Ace 90 inner rear for the front, and a 125-cc front unit for the rear).
Fuel Tank
The fuel tank was one of the few items entrusted to an outside supplier. A stock tank was reduced in size by 2" in the width, 3" in the length and 1" in the height by Cole Foster of Salinas, Ca. The quality of the finished product can be judged by the fact the tank did not need any filler and was chrome plated after the modifications. "The end result was amazing - although very expensive - but worth every penny," said Lee.
Final specification:
Engine/Gearbox
Dimensions
The little bike took Lee approximately 120 hours to complete, but was well worth the effort. It can be seen at many of the Hodaka events (Hodaka Days in Athena for one). As a tribute to the workmanship, it took first place in its first show after completion (the Bator International Classic in Hanford, Ca.)