When it comes to naming motorcycle models, Hodaka might win. Rat. Super Rat. Dirt Squirt. Combat. Wombat. Wombat Combat. Ace. Road Toad.
Hodaka was a Japanese motor builder for Yamaguchi motorcycles in 1963 when Yamaguchi went bankrupt. PABTCO, based in Athena, Oregon went looking for a replacement to fill the void left in their sales niche. The fact that PABTCO’s senior management were already dedicated trail riders helped PABTCO and Hodaka form the motorcycle company that would soon become the rage of dirt riders. The Hodaka Ace appeared in 1964. A star was born.
Almost as quickly, the star flamed out. Yamaha and Honda both fielded dedicated dirt bikes and the final blow came when Shell Oil bought PABTCO’s parent and shut down the money losing division. What would have happened if Hodaka had gone to bigger bikes when the market changed? Nobody knows, but it could have been exciting…
The 1974 Hodaka Road Toad used a 98 cc single cylinder two stroke air cooled oil injected motor that made 9.8 HPq with a 5 speed wide ratio transmission and an alternator with lights to create a true dual sport machine.
This particular 1974 Hodaka Road Toad (VIN # H-148992) is in Spokane, Washington and is listed as “Beautifully Restored”. It won the Road Toad class at the 2015 Hodaka Owners Gathering in Athena, Oregon. Currently bid at $1,025.00 with reserve not met
Sources:
Wikipedia
Motorcycle Classics
Motorcyclist
Hagerty