Your Collection: 1977 Hodaka 125 Wombat
Sunday, August 19, 2012 | 6:00 AM
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This weeks collection comes to us from Ed Ernst.
I purchased this unrestored Hodaka a few years ago. It is 99.9% bone stock with the owner's manual and factory tool kit. The original owner is a CDF ranger and used the 125 to commute from his home to the ranger station. It runs great and nothing beats the aromatic qualities of a two-stroke motorcycle.
I purchased this unrestored Hodaka a few years ago. It is 99.9% bone stock with the owner's manual and factory tool kit. The original owner is a CDF ranger and used the 125 to commute from his home to the ranger station. It runs great and nothing beats the aromatic qualities of a two-stroke motorcycle.
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Awesome, thanks! I'm surprised I never saw one of those, but most of the Hodakas I saw in the early 70's were 100cc MX models with a shiny aluminum(?) tank.
I plumb forgot Hodoka made that street legal 125. I remember a few old Combart Wombat's that some of the guys raced in the 125 class because they had raced the 100cc Hodaka. There were some really trick Hodaka's back in the day. Just ask Jody from MXA Mag, Sorry DC but I just had to mention one of you mag competition. In 72 there was anytning and everything in the 100cc class.
Some of those Combat Wombat's were pretty trick when they came out and fast! Never found me on one though. I did ride one once neverraced it.
I went new Super Rat ('72) to new (74) CR125. The whole time I had the Super Rat, I wanted a down-pipe exhaust, the whole time I had the CR125, I wanted an up-pipe. Yes, there were reasons (LTR suspension mods, etc), but still.......
Rat/Wombat tank was not (sadly) aluminum, but a 930lb steel tank with chrome. Almost undentable. And the Rat was still light. Had a plastic tank on mine and it made a HUGE difference.
My Rat had 1-up, 4-down shift pattern (did they all? I still don't know...). The Wombat side case fit right on and had normal 1dn-4up shift mechanicals. I am grateful to this day. Thank you, Wombat.
Wow!!! What a beauty. But like the other posts, I don't remember a Hodaka without a chrome tank!!! I still remember when Tommy Croft whipped one out at Carlsbad Raceway in the 70's. He even had a chrome helmet with all his long hair hanging out the back!!! Duckbill visor as well!!! Ahh, the memories!!!
Keep sending in the pics of the old bikes!!!
What, no mention of the Dirt Squirt?
Some of my happiest dirt bike moments were on my Hodaka Super Rat. It was reliable, light and probably the first really competitive motocrosser made in Japan. My first race at Indian Dunes I got a third with it. Then I was so stoked to get a 5th in my first race at Saddleback, and that was in the 125 class. I eventually gave it to my sister who raced it for a while in the "Powder Puff" class. I never really tricked it out like a lot of guys, it was just a great little bike.. at a great time to be racing motocross.... no double jumps!!
Don't for get the street legal Road Toad with it's green tank and fenders.
By golly. I never rode one but I have a very funny story about a cat wanting to school me on his dirt squirt? super combat wombat? I dont remember,...but when I unloaded my new RM 250C2...he no longer wanted to practice w/ me. Those are collectors? aint they?
Worked @ a Hodaka dealership in early 1970's as a young teenager and replaced hundreds of shifting springs. Simply load the springs on that tool and bump the end of it with your palm. For the most part, Hodaks were reliable and they were simple to maintain. GOOD MEMORIES!
One fine machine.Never even saw one in person, that I can recall, but that is truley a nice old bike. Doesn't get much cooler than that.Everyone needs a shed full of these! Have your freinds over and race all day! Or wrench all day!
@endoman; ahh yes the Dirt Squirt. I loved my '76 Hodaka 100 but longed to have a dirt bike that looked like a dirt bike (one with a 'normal' steel tank, or the high zoot plastic!), not 2 gallons of chrome (and chrome fenders).
Have pamphlets of the fancy new Hodaka here of Ed's... nice!
Long live the 2-smoke
Wow. Nice restoration. I had an opportunity to buy a Hodaka Combat Wombat back in the day, but opted for a KX125 instead. I sometimes regretted that decision. Lol. Your bike looks very clean and props to you for an awesome restoration. The only thing that I'd maybe have done differently is to replace the Preston Petty front fender with the original or something similar. Looks a little too big for the bike. Nice job!