I had a 1973 Hodaka 125 Wombat when I was a kid in the late 70s. It had a chrome tank. It was the Enduro model with a headlight and tail light. I rode the wheels off of that thing.
I can’t tell you how much I wanted one of these. Compared to the other trail bikes of this era it was king. Even today, if I could buy one of these new, I’d be all over it.
I had what was known as the adult killer, Bonanza mini bike chassis with a Hodaka 100 motor on it. For its size it was a shocker. My Dad was really shocked when he road it through the fence!
@@thomaskappauf7345 yeh with that cantilever front suspension they were different. I miss all the bikes I’ve had but when you live at home it’s hard to store them. I’ll get another collection going I already know what I want lol. Any IT Yamaha an XR 350 you know, enduro bikes, you can street ride those.
My Ace B+ has the pegs exactly like that. I grew up with this bike. My Father did some mods but the pegs look stock. I am bringing it back to life now.
Every time I watch a video reminds me when I was kid I would play sick and stay home from school come 2:50 I would go get on my mx 125 our yz125 and would race the bus as it went by my house. The good old days a full tank and not a damn worry In the damn world . Soon agian I will
And when you took the bus to school, I bet you liked a window seat so as the bus drove by everybody's driveway, you would imagine yourself riding along side of the bus and jumping each driveway. Now I think I know why I could not pay attention in grade school. I made up for that later though. :) The world is a total communist mess today, but still no care when I ride. communism drives a free thinker insane. I had to buy a dirt bike again, for physical and mental health.
I had a Hodaka SUPER RAT that I bought from my boss in 1992 it looked good and really surprised me when I saw it in his garage!!! He said it ran when he parked it and it needed the carb cleaned and tank and new gas lines!!!! 50 dollars he sold it to me!! I did the work on it and detailed it and it ran very good and loud !!! I was lucky!!! I sold it a year later for 400 dollars!!! Wish I would have kept it!!! Now I'm looking for a Hodaka 125 !!! The one that's street legal!!!!!
My first motorcycle was a Combat Wombat. Chrome tank and fenders , red frame. I have a sister 18 years older than me and my cool brother in law let me have it after he bought a Husqavarna . Around 1976 and I was 13. I never raced but my friends were top racers in the Illinois, Indiana area . Hodakas were on the curcuit , but disappeared when the Honda Elsinore was introduced.
What is there not to love about the Hodaka great little bikes man good buddy of mine had one back in the early seventies the combat wombat or is that wombat combat. I really can't remember it's been so long. Anyway that thing really ripped.
as a young kid when these bikes came out if I had one I would have been happy for the rest of my life, AJS, Greevs, Villers, and BSA, were the scrambler machines of the day then these lightweight bikes appeared, it was like they just came down from another planet,
I had a Hodaka Wombat 125 in the Seventies and raced it Houston at the track off of Highway 59 before Houston tore it down to make the beginning of the new super highways. Jeff Cagle
I was 15 years old in 1975 and I got the 100cc Hodaka Dirt Squirt, brand new it only cost $600, and it was a fast little bike. I had it for 1 year then I sold it and got a 1976 Suzuki RM100 for $800, at 16 years old. Both of them were fun little bikes, but the RM100 was a little faster, and a little more fun to ride.
I knew a couple people had those old Hodakas, and their main complaint was frames breaking on them usually the steering head, or in that area, but they were fast little bikes for what they were...
You mentioned that the rear axel was not stock. All I can say is that it looks exactly the same as the rear axel on my Super Rat I had years ago.. So I am guessing that's the Wombats stock axel as well
Shop down street had tank seat rear fender one piece fiberglass. Neighborhood kid lined up to race it at local flat track .He move shifter to right side we got metal shoe to drag left shoe 😊
Ken God Bless.I would like to ask about a hodaka 100cc with chrome tank,no front fork.Had a desert front end with shock? I'm only 60 yrs old. I had one early 70's. Big Al Yakima,Wa
Reminds me of Paul Stanards Wolverine's. Little beasts. Paul had Harry build him a "special one" and my buddy brought it to my place in Indiana for Paul to pick up. Hot to rub it into John. I got to ride it and he didnt.
Very clean unit. Hodaka's scare me. Every time I seen one on the trail they make such knarled out raspy and very loud exhaust note. Also amazing is the amount of mechanical clatter from the top end. It's horrifying. I don't care if it's only a 100 or 125. Let the kid in the Hodaka by. He must be crazy or something.
damn right now im fixing up one of these old bike hodaka its 125 wombat the piston blew on it and the owner never put the jug on it after trying to fix it
I haven’t been on a bike in over 20 years and I just got an Ace 90 that looks to be close to 100% original. I’m just waiting on a few parts to come in so I can try to fire it up. About shifting, do you shift an Ace 90 with the clutch or without? Last bike I rode (cousin’s Honda 125) shifted gears without using the clutch. Thanks in advance.
No always use your clutch I've had these things for years I've always used the clutch since about 1976 when I shattered the hollow gear shaft the gear change rod works through on a very similar Fugi 80cc 4 speed engine I'd been doing "racing changes" with it and I though it was probably why it blew and have always used the clutch since on bikes with Fugi or Hodaka motors without problems That Fugi later spent ten years in an Ace B+ frame, it's now back in it's original "Deckson Eagle" mini-cycle and although it hasn't been started in a few years I know it would still fire up and run no problem and I have a Wombat on it's fifth speedometer These engines have the clutch on the end of the crank and spins at twice the speed of most clutches, just saying
@@c.s.s.1723 There was only one cop who gave a damn back in those days in our rural area, but a bit later most of them would not let you ride on the dirt roads. On year in the Mid 80's, a ex. pro racer moved into our area, (Hershal Smith. Father of Michigan's last factory rider, Kelly Smith), and he built a track on his corner with the first big jumps we had ever seen. One day while we were doing some laps, a Cop drove in, and we thought we were going to be in some kind of trouble. He said, "I am just here watching". He was a fan of the sport. Today, the Police treat everybody as a potential criminal. That---is criminal.
Had one was awesome in dry dirt but if it was muddy forget it . The shifter design was horrible and would jam up with mudd and lock it in any gear once it was caked up with enough mudd .
They didn't care back in the early 70's either, and neighbors had no problem letting you ride across their land,--both for the most part. in 1975, Charles Schultz made a 1/2hr film with Charlie Brown winning a neighborhood MX race. Peppermint Patty kicked off the local interest, driving down the roads to show everybody her new bike. It was really like that. It is sad how we get used to less freedom each generation.
It’s a nice looking bike, but from the video the guy made that you bought it from, I don’t quite buy all that is said that’s put into it. From the sound of it, I can bet you a stock Super Combat will outrun it in a drag and on the track.
Every time I see one of these videos I think about this. But it seems like a safe assumption that Kaplan is on pretty good terms with whoever owns/maintains that area. I notice that it never seems to be all totally torn up so I assume this is not a daily activity.
I had a 1973 Hodaka 125 Wombat when I was a kid in the late 70s. It had a chrome tank. It was the Enduro model with a headlight and tail light. I rode the wheels off of that thing.
I can’t tell you how much I wanted one of these. Compared to the other trail bikes of this era it was king. Even today, if I could buy one of these new, I’d be all over it.
I had what was known as the adult killer, Bonanza mini bike chassis with a Hodaka 100 motor on it. For its size it was a shocker. My Dad was really shocked when he road it through the fence!
They also made Steen with the same engine
@@thomaskappauf7345 yeh with that cantilever front suspension they were different. I miss all the bikes I’ve had but when you live at home it’s hard to store them. I’ll get another collection going I already know what I want lol. Any IT Yamaha an XR 350 you know, enduro bikes, you can street ride those.
@@SanTropez680 no but he was stunned
My Ace B+ has the pegs exactly like that. I grew up with this bike. My Father did some mods but the pegs look stock. I am bringing it back to life now.
Love Hodaka's. My first brand new bike was a 100B+. Lot of good memories with that bike.
Every time I watch a video reminds me when I was kid I would play sick and stay home from school come 2:50 I would go get on my mx 125 our yz125 and would race the bus as it went by my house. The good old days a full tank and not a damn worry In the damn world . Soon agian I will
And when you took the bus to school, I bet you liked a window seat so as the bus drove by everybody's driveway, you would imagine yourself riding along side of the bus and jumping each driveway. Now I think I know why I could not pay attention in grade school. I made up for that later though. :)
The world is a total communist mess today, but still no care when I ride. communism drives a free thinker insane. I had to buy a dirt bike again, for physical and mental health.
I haven't heard that sound since 1971,Thanks!
In 1972, my Father bought my Brother and me Hodaka Super Rats. They were a ton of loud fun. They were $585 each.
Dean Barnett good memories right there brother, damn I miss my Hody and my IT’s
I had a Hodaka SUPER RAT that I bought from my boss in 1992 it looked good and really surprised me when I saw it in his garage!!! He said it ran when he parked it and it needed the carb cleaned and tank and new gas lines!!!! 50 dollars he sold it to me!! I did the work on it and detailed it and it ran very good and loud !!! I was lucky!!! I sold it a year later for 400 dollars!!! Wish I would have kept it!!! Now I'm looking for a Hodaka 125 !!! The one that's street legal!!!!!
Kaplan videos make my day. Great people, great project. From Australia i say "Thank You for keeping so many rare bikes alive".
Wouldn’t you love to go to that museum and leave with your dream bike
The sight of it brings me back to better times. For sure.
My first motorcycle was a Combat Wombat. Chrome tank and fenders , red frame. I have a sister 18 years older than me and my cool brother in law let me have it after he bought a Husqavarna . Around 1976 and I was 13. I never raced but my friends were top racers in the Illinois, Indiana area . Hodakas were on the curcuit , but disappeared when the Honda Elsinore was introduced.
I’ve got the 73 dirt squirt 100 with the same color scheme, it’s basically brand new condition, no dents on the frame rails
In 1975 I had the Dirt Squirt, and my friend had the Wombat, we called it the Wombat Combat 125.
What is there not to love about the Hodaka great little bikes man good buddy of mine had one back in the early seventies the combat wombat or is that wombat combat. I really can't remember it's been so long. Anyway that thing really ripped.
Beautiful 125 cc 2 stroke music 🎧 to the ears 👂
as a young kid when these bikes came out if I had one I would have been happy for the rest of my life, AJS, Greevs, Villers, and BSA, were the scrambler machines of the day then these lightweight bikes appeared, it was like they just came down from another planet,
I had a Hodaka Wombat 125 in the Seventies and raced it Houston at the track off of Highway 59 before Houston tore it down to make the beginning of the new super highways. Jeff Cagle
Boy two bangers have come a long way
Nice Pabatco 125 Ken. I had two when I was a kid a Ace 100 and a Super Rat. I like how it was modified.
All right brother Kaplan, I subscribed. Been watching this stuff long enough. Just wanna say thanks and keep going old man.
Thank you brother!!! Merry Christmas!
I LOVE A HODAKAS... DIRT SQUIRTS, ROAD TOADS, WOBATS & the chrome editions 🤪
Jay Bee the SL’s were nice too, and don’t forget the Thunderdog ED 250
Grew up well, when I was young used to run the piss out of a super rat 90!
Loved the sound of a Hudaka
I was 15 years old in 1975 and I got the 100cc Hodaka Dirt Squirt, brand new it only cost $600, and it was a fast little bike. I had it for 1 year then I sold it and got a 1976 Suzuki RM100 for $800, at 16 years old. Both of them were fun little bikes, but the RM100 was a little faster, and a little more fun to ride.
I've riden one of those. Back in the late 80's. It was suprisingly fast for a bike of it's vintage!
That thing sounds great!
amazes me how you can still get parts for some of these old bikes
Thank Paul Stannard. Sorry Paul, I probably got the last name wrong. Last we talked on the phone was probably 1990
Ride it in the power band so we can really appreciate it.
Sounds crisp. Sweet!
Ken has all the fun 😶😀
Learned to ride my first dirtbike was a 125 wombat :)
I knew a couple people had those old Hodakas, and their main complaint was frames breaking on them usually the steering head, or in that area, but they were fast little bikes for what they were...
You mentioned that the rear axel was not stock.
All I can say is that it looks exactly the same as the rear axel on my Super Rat I had years ago..
So I am guessing that's the Wombats stock axel as well
Bring back the 2cycle and smell!
Sounds perfect! Just like my old Husqvarna or my Penton.
you should make more of them half finger leather red white and blue gloves. they would be a big seller.hint hint
Back in the day, the only Japanese bike that was competitive against Penton, Husky, and a (very) few others was Hodaka.
My 76 CR-250 M was real loud. Essentially no silencer
Around 1974 a guy a block away from my home had one.
He often rode it at Bakers Paddock.
I don't recall the red painted frame on his.
Still remember spanking these on best 125 made 74 cr 125 but still nice for the girls that rode with us D.h
Never heard of them, but it looks nice
Shop down street had tank seat rear fender one piece fiberglass. Neighborhood kid lined up to race it at local flat track .He move shifter to right side we got metal shoe to drag left shoe 😊
I had a 100 and 125 when I was younger blew the 100 up 3 times very hard to find parts for back then color was chrome
Great bike!!! Has a nice crisp sound to it, I'd love to throw a leg over that beast👍👍
That's mint
I love it
Wombats rule 🤩👍🇦🇺
Back in about 1980 I had a Super Rat that was in great condition
Perfect jetting
Music to my ears
Ken God Bless.I would like to ask about a hodaka 100cc with chrome tank,no front fork.Had a desert front end with shock? I'm only 60 yrs old. I had one early 70's. Big Al Yakima,Wa
Reminds me of Paul Stanards Wolverine's. Little beasts. Paul had Harry build him a "special one" and my buddy brought it to my place in Indiana for Paul to pick up. Hot to rub it into John. I got to ride it and he didnt.
I would like to see the rest of his collection he keep
Very clean unit. Hodaka's scare me. Every time I seen one on the trail they make such knarled out raspy and very loud exhaust note. Also amazing is the amount of mechanical clatter from the top end. It's horrifying. I don't care if it's only a 100 or 125. Let the kid in the Hodaka by. He must be crazy or something.
You know we are, I’ve got the dirt squirt 100, and it’s terrifyingly fast for just being a 100cc
Thunder Dog or bust
damn right now im fixing up one of these old bike hodaka its 125 wombat the piston blew on it and the owner never put the jug on it after trying to fix it
I can't remember ? Is this before reed valve or after. Power valve come to Honda just after ❤
Sounds killer
I haven’t been on a bike in over 20 years and I just got an Ace 90 that looks to be close to 100% original. I’m just waiting on a few parts to come in so I can try to fire it up. About shifting, do you shift an Ace 90 with the clutch or without? Last bike I rode (cousin’s Honda 125) shifted gears without using the clutch. Thanks in advance.
No always use your clutch
I've had these things for years I've always used the clutch since about 1976 when I shattered the hollow gear shaft the gear change rod works through on a very similar Fugi 80cc 4 speed engine
I'd been doing "racing changes" with it and I though it was probably why it blew and have always used the clutch since on bikes with Fugi or Hodaka motors without problems
That Fugi later spent ten years in an Ace B+ frame, it's now back in it's original "Deckson Eagle" mini-cycle and although it hasn't been started in a few years I know it would still fire up and run no problem and I have a Wombat on it's fifth speedometer
These engines have the clutch on the end of the crank and spins at twice the speed of most clutches, just saying
...and if I'm not mistaken you'll find the gear change on an early Hodaka could be 1 up and 3 down instead of 1 down and 3 up
Super, belle bécane 👍👍😍
I can smell the blendzal!
God bless the USA.
He did. We blew it.
@@EarthSurferUSA Show isn't over yet..
LOL. Cops driving by at 1:55.
wjb111 ...... right!!!? How cool is that.
@@c.s.s.1723 There was only one cop who gave a damn back in those days in our rural area, but a bit later most of them would not let you ride on the dirt roads. On year in the Mid 80's, a ex. pro racer moved into our area, (Hershal Smith. Father of Michigan's last factory rider, Kelly Smith), and he built a track on his corner with the first big jumps we had ever seen. One day while we were doing some laps, a Cop drove in, and we thought we were going to be in some kind of trouble. He said, "I am just here watching". He was a fan of the sport. Today, the Police treat everybody as a potential criminal. That---is criminal.
Had one was awesome in dry dirt but if it was muddy forget it . The shifter design was horrible and would jam up with mudd and lock it in any gear once it was caked up with enough mudd .
Wow!
My neighbor just picked one of these up for $800.00,-------------------used. :)
Never heard of these ?
Certainly not seen any in England.
When life was good
WOW. !!!! 👍
The cops don't even care. That's sweet
They didn't care back in the early 70's either, and neighbors had no problem letting you ride across their land,--both for the most part. in 1975, Charles Schultz made a 1/2hr film with Charlie Brown winning a neighborhood MX race. Peppermint Patty kicked off the local interest, driving down the roads to show everybody her new bike. It was really like that. It is sad how we get used to less freedom each generation.
The 1975 Peanuts film was called "You're a good sport Charlie Brown.".
That bike rips
Who owns property u are thrashing?
Probably one of the same people who did not care in the 70's. You missed the last of the USA.
They made.A Combat Wombat also.
Smell that CASTROL!
My 1st bike was a Hodaka Super Rat lol
It’s a nice looking bike, but from the video the guy made that you bought it from, I don’t quite buy all that is said that’s put into it. From the sound of it, I can bet you a stock Super Combat will outrun it in a drag and on the track.
k vien suena esa moto k rodado tiene 300 x 21. y 19 x 450 ando vuscando una cagiva. 200 de los 80
Wow i bet willey the grounds keeper really appreciates this guy tearing up his turf?
He is the keeper !
Every time I see one of these videos I think about this. But it seems like a safe assumption that Kaplan is on pretty good terms with whoever owns/maintains that area. I notice that it never seems to be all totally torn up so I assume this is not a daily activity.
Hello , when the 175 pe suzuki .
look it up.
Bancinie pipe ?
had a super rat
But is it a Combat Wombat? 😳
That tank will not be white for long. Mine turn yellow in 6 months
Hope u donate to ur local pd 😉
Justice did not used to be that way. No justice today son.
Combat wombat
That thing is crisp .❤
Little ripper