Hodaka Ace-90
HODAKA ACE-90
Trail Test:
HAIL THE ARRIVAL of the much-heralded Hodaka Ace-90. Of course we knew it was coming all the time since CYCLE WORLD'S Editor/Publisher had passed judgment on the first prototype during a visit to the Hodaka importer's quarters back in the early part of the year see CYCLE WORLD, March 1964).
We were not disappointed in the final product any more than the Ed. had been at the first rather crude model, since the little Hodaka is in every sense of the word, a motorcycle. Not only does it look like one, and sound like one (albeit a small one), it rides and handles like one and we had a grand time finding these things out.
The frame is a sturdy looking affair in the fashion of several other larger machines, as is the basic form the suspension takes. It is not so much what it has, but more the way it is presented. Both front and rear suspension have sufficient travel for the off-the-road half of its dual-purpose designation, and ground clearance is 8-inches, a dimension shared mostly by much bigger motorcycles.
Air cleaners are an item usually treated with disdain, even on bikes designed to be run where dust and dirt in the air are a constant annoyance, but the Pabatco Hodaka mounts a washable linen oversize affair almost as big as the engine and easily as effective. Exhaust systems also often take rather strange turns, but rarely far enough out of the way. Again, the Hodaka shines through with a highmounted pipe and muffler that are placed as far out of the way as is practical.
Pacific Basin Trading Company (hence the initials PABATCO alongside of the name Hodaka on the tank emblem) are the importers of the Hodaka, but the tale behind the machine is almost as interesting as the bike itself. Briefly, they converted the chaos of the collapse of the Yamaguchi line of machines into a bonanza by designing and commissioning the production of the bikes from the firm that had built the engine and gear-box of the Yamaguchi that had gone out of business through a series of management errors. In short, the Ace-90 was designed for the American market, by the American market. We might include the footnote that they still stock parts of Yamaguchis, many of which are quite similar.
Consideration of rider comfort has not been overlooked with a wide foam rubber seat. Folding foot rests are standard, as are full lighting equipment, dual rear sprockets, "universal" type tires, tool box with tools, tire pump, chain guard and deflector, carrying rack, rubber mounted tank, speedometer, and several other features not always found in combination at such prices.
The engine is a single-cylinder, twostroke affair mounted in unit with a fourspeed gearbox. Power is rated at 8.2 hp @ 7,500 rpm, and though it sounds tame, the bike is a little tiger and has sufficient power to go almost anywhere. Needless to point out, its power places it well in the front row with its competitors.
There are many things our staff of professional enthusiasts liked, and little we could find fault with. Fenders are mounted at a distance from the wheels that will allow the use of the largest tires and could brush aside the largest accumulation of mud imaginable. The handlebars are wide and well placed, though an accessory bar is available that we liked even better.
Top speed is just short of 57 miles per hour with the trailing gear in position and should easily exceed 60 mph with the touring sprocket uncovered. Total weight is 155 pounds, a trifle heavy for its class, but the equipment that adds the weight is awfully nice to have. •
