Anyone Remember Hodaka Motorcycles?

[mcmd]

Hodaka, a name I hadn't heard in years. I never really knew anything about these bikes, just remembered the name. Some of you know that I dabble in antiques and collectables with three booths in local antique malls. I'm always searching for and finding cool stuff. On a recent trip to Northern Ohio I came across this Hodaka sign. It's 4' X 18" with honest wear. Signs are big time in the collectable world these days. Of course, subject matter is everything. Many collectors prefer a sign with honest wear as opposed to one that is pristine. The reason, so many are being reproduced. I did a little research and found that Hodaka Motorcycles was a joint manufacturing project of a Japanese and an American company and were only produced for 14 years, from 1964 to 1978. Total production was about 150,000 motorcycles. The worldwide distributor of Hodaka was a company called PABATCO, the Pacific Basin Trading Company headquartered in rural Athena, Oregon. Apparently, Hodaka is credited by some for being a major player in popularizing trail bikes in the United States. If you're interested in learning more about Hodaka's history, there's a great article here... https://www.motorcycleclassics.com/classic-japanese-motorcycles/history-of-hodaka/. In any case, hope you like the sign. It's a rare bird in the sign collecting world.

 

[G19Tony]

I restored a Dirt Squirt years ago. One of the many bikes I wish I would have kept. I learned on a friends Squirt in the 70's.

 

[dmonkey]

Great find, the patina really makes it something special.

 

[mcmd]

Great find, the patina really makes it something special.

Thanks! I thought so, too.

 

[fmdualexhaust]

My best friend and his Brother owned several.
I suspect they are still on the farm, somewhere.

 

[Little_Thumper_Boy]

Hodaka, a name I hadn't heard in years. I never really knew anything about these bikes, just remembered the name. Some of you know that I dabble in antiques and collectables with three booths in local antique malls. I'm always searching for and finding cool stuff. On a recent trip to Northern Ohio I came across this Hodaka sign. It's 4' X 18" with honest wear. Signs are big time in the collectable world these days. Of course, subject matter is everything. Many collectors prefer a sign with honest wear as opposed to one that is pristine. The reason, so many are being reproduced. I did a little research and found that Hodaka Motorcycles was a joint manufacturing project of a Japanese and an American company and were only produced for 14 years, from 1964 to 1978. Total production was about 150,000 motorcycles. The worldwide distributor of Hodaka was a company called PABATCO, the Pacific Basin Trading Company headquartered in rural Athena, Oregon. Apparently, Hodaka is credited by some for being a major player in popularizing trail bikes in the United States. If you're interested in learning more about Hodaka's history, there's a great article here... https://www.motorcycleclassics.com/classic-japanese-motorcycles/history-of-hodaka/. In any case, hope you like the sign. It's a rare bird in the sign collecting world.



View attachment 7933

Oh yeah, absolutely! My first "real" dirt bike was a '68 Hodaka Ace 100. A huge step up from our Techumse 3hp and 5hp minibikes. It would outrun my friends on their 125's like nothin' flat. Awesome little bikes! I finally sold it in 1974 to buy my buddy's '72 Enduro 360.

 

[NMCoyote]

I raced a Hodaka Wambat 125cc for one season of motocross in 1972 or 73, it was too expensive to keep running and parts were few and far between, Picked up a Yamaha sponsorship and sold the Wambat. Wish I would have hung onto it.

 

[ol mike]

I raced a Hodaka Wambat 125cc for one season of motocross in 1972 or 73, it was too expensive to keep running and parts were few and far between, Picked up a Yamaha sponsorship and sold the Wambat. Wish I would have hung onto it.

I think there was a Combat Wambat also.
I remember them, us young lads talked about them [Hodaka's] but I didn't know anybody with one.
A guy about 4-5 years older than me, Tom, had several new bikes in the early 70's. Penton/Husq./Bultaco. Another older guy Carl had a CZ and a Zundapp.

 

[NMCoyote]

I also raced a Bultaco (Pursang) 125 for a race club in Mexico in the early 70's, this thread is bringing back wonderful memories, thanks for this!

 

[NMCoyote]

Both the Hodaka and the Bultaco were not main stream motorcycles back when they were being produced and were an oddity on the starting line for most races. In fact the dealer who sold both Hodaka and Bultaco here was named "Weird Harold's" no shit!

 

[mcmd]

I raced a Hodaka Wambat 125cc for one season of motocross in 1972 or 73, it was too expensive to keep running and parts were few and far between, Picked up a Yamaha sponsorship and sold the Wambat. Wish I would have hung onto it.

Yeah, it would have been a nice collectable.

 

[mcmd]

Both the Hodaka and the Bultaco were not main stream motorcycles back when they were being produced and were an oddity on the starting line for most races. In fact the dealer who sold both Hodaka and Bultaco here was named "Weird Harold's" no shit!

Weird Harold's, that's cool! Bultaco is another name one rarely hears these days.

 

[m in sc]

Heres one right behind my 72 R5 with RD motor. Guy rides it all the time, he's also my upholstery guy. also has a really neat CZ in really nice shape.

 

[mcmd]

Heres one right behind my 72 R5 with RD motor. Guy rides it all the time, he's also my upholstery guy. also has a really neat CZ in really nice shape.

That's cool!

 

[postieman]

Hodaka, a name I hadn't heard in years. I never really knew anything about these bikes, just remembered the name. Some of you know that I dabble in antiques and collectables with three booths in local antique malls. I'm always searching for and finding cool stuff. On a recent trip to Northern Ohio I came across this Hodaka sign. It's 4' X 18" with honest wear. Signs are big time in the collectable world these days. Of course, subject matter is everything. Many collectors prefer a sign with honest wear as opposed to one that is pristine. The reason, so many are being reproduced. I did a little research and found that Hodaka Motorcycles was a joint manufacturing project of a Japanese and an American company and were only produced for 14 years, from 1964 to 1978. Total production was about 150,000 motorcycles. The worldwide distributor of Hodaka was a company called PABATCO, the Pacific Basin Trading Company headquartered in rural Athena, Oregon. Apparently, Hodaka is credited by some for being a major player in popularizing trail bikes in the United States. If you're interested in learning more about Hodaka's history, there's a great article here... https://www.motorcycleclassics.com/classic-japanese-motorcycles/history-of-hodaka/. In any case, hope you like the sign. It's a rare bird in the sign collecting world.



View attachment 7933

I remember them fondly. I raced a hodaka100 in a desert race in s.California in 1972. Sadly I didn't finish but it sure was fun trying.

 

[NMCoyote]

Heres one right behind my 72 R5 with RD motor. Guy rides it all the time, he's also my upholstery guy. also has a really neat CZ in really nice shape.

Looks like some people I would fit in just fine with!