Hodaka was a Japanese-American company that manufactured motorcycles in the 1960s and 1970s, with its headquarters located in Athena, Oregon. Hodaka was a subsidiary of Pabatco, short for Pacific Basin Trading Company. Motorcycles were a main product being traded from Japan, but their supplier went bankrupt, making Pabatco motorcycle-less. Knowing that American’s were wanting quality off-road bikes, they decided to manufacture their own brand.
The first of the Hodaka motorcycles was the Ace 90, and was introduced in 1964. The Ace 90 was a single-cylinder two-stroke, and was very powerful for that day and age. It was also street-legal, which was unheard of beforehand. Hodaka Super Rats were introduced to the United States in 1970, and were an immediate success. The Wombat and Combat Wombat were released in the early 1970s, and were much better for racing than the Hodaka Super Rat.
The large size of Hodaka’s competitors, the US Dollar to Japanese Yen conversion rates, as well as general economic weakness caused Hodaka to close its doors around 1980. While Hodaka didn’t have a really long life, many credit them with beginning the trail-bike trend in the United States.
The Hodaka model list includes the Ace 90, Ace 100A, Ace 100B, Ace 100B+, 100 Dirt Squirt, 100 Road Toad, 100 Super Rat, Ace 100 Super Rat, Bullfrog Trials, Thunderdog, Super Combat, 125 Combat Wombat, Wombat, 175SL, 250SL, and the 250ED.
9 Comments
Owned a 1971 Hodaka model B, purchased it new from the local dealer. Bought a ’71 Super Rat in 1973 and raced it once in a little known Gran Prix 100 mile course, through and around the town of Florence Kansas that year. have a photo of my race buddy & I sitting on our bikes, just prior to the race. Thanks.
I have a ace 100 restored, the exhaust pipe has a heart design as a center piece on the shield. I have not seen one like it so far researching if it is aftermarket or stock. If you have any information, it would be appreciated to find out. Thank you for your time.
I believe the heart shape logo indicates (Hooker Header Co,) I’m guessing this is an aftermarket shield or pipe, Could be very valuable,
Tim
That is a Hooker Header tuned exhaust aftermarket piece. They didn’t work very well I took mine off!
I’m looking for a Hodaka that is 1974 or older and 125cc something I can race not for showing
I am putting together 1964 Hodaka Ace 90. My first single cylinder, first trail, my first Hodaka. Due to the availability of parts, this has me hooked. I think an Ace 100 will be next. (Don’t tell my wife).
I have a almost complete 1974 Dirt Squirt. The only thing I can find on the motor says 98cc but I would like to find a carb for this bike and get it running again.
My very first bike was a Hodaka Dirt Squirt 80! I wish I could find it and buy it back, rare little bike.
I have a running Hodaka dirt squirt 1977 but I would need $1500.00 for it.