Topic: Hodaka 250

[gregwaits]

I was out at the bike graveyard the other day, browsing around when I came across a pair of relatively clean Hodaka 250 motocross bikes. I know nothing about their running condition nor the years of make, but cosmetically they appeared pretty clean.

Knowing the guy out there pretty well now - having bought a number of bikes from him - I imagine he doesn't want a whole lot for them.

What is the story on Hodakas? Are they a particularly collectible bike? There seems to be a pretty active group of enthusiasts from what I read and hear.

[clarkjh]

Groovie went here

http://www.sohc4.us/forums/index.php?topic=23590.msg242196;topicseen#new

James

[GroovieGhoulie]

Was it the 250 SL or ED?

The 250s were the last of the Hodaka line and are not too well received by the Hodaka faithful, but can be modified to be great performers.  Parts availability is not like the earlier models, but not bad, with new parts being produced by some suppliers.

The "collectible" ones are by personal preference.  I prefer the Chrome-Tank models to the painted tank ones, so they're more collectible to me.  The later painted tank bikes are faster and better handling, as befitting what Hodaka had learned over the years. 

The 250s were among the last made and for what they were, they were too heavy and underpowered.  They were designed at 216 pounds, but after the Japanese got through 're-engineering" the frame to stiffen it because they thought it was too flexy, it weighed in at almost 300 pounds.  Typical of Japanese frame design ethos, they threw a bunch of gusseting and extra tubes at it.  The 250s were nicknamed the "Trail Whale".  The engine didn't have much more power than the 125 models, only putting out about 18-19 hp, and even less when they got hot.  And they DID get HOT because the cooling fins on the head are "comparatively" tiny to allow for the exhaust expansion chamber.  Aftermarket or custom heads and custom exhausts fix it.

However, the 250s take well to modifications and make a good platform for a custom MX'er.  Harry Taylor, the old head of Hodaka's R&D department and Racing department currently has a 250 that weighs in at the original 216 pounds that he designed it to back in the '70s.

The later bikes also had "Primary Kickstart" which means they can be kicked over just by pulling in the clutch, regardless of what gear you are in, so no need to find neutral and then kick.

I'm a Hodaka WONK and I absolutely LOVE them.

Here are some good resources for parts and info:

http://www.strictlyhodaka.com/index.html - this site has a good forum as well, which is visited by Ed Chesnut, the former head of the Parts and Service Department for Hodaka and an accomplished Trials and MX rider.

http://www.hodakaheaven.com/

http://www.californiahodaka.com/

The Hodaka Story: http://www.starrfilm.com/articles/OdeToHodaka.html

http://www.hodakadays.org/ - click around here for excellent pics and such.