A Day with an old Ironhead

Jeff Higgins · 08-07-2022, 04:19 PM

No, not me - the bike. I don't ride this old bike enough anymore, but for whatever reason, today seemed like the perfect day. So I took her out on about a 200 mile leisurely loop up and down two of our local river valleys, the Snoqualmie and the Skykomish. I went as far south as the town of Snoqualmie on the first leg, then doubled back a bit and went as far east as the town of Index going up the Skykomish for the second leg.

On a bridge over the Snoqualmie:

A few miles up a logging road looking east up the Skykomish valley:

On a bridge over the Skykomish:

Looking east at the Cascade range from somewhere outside of the town of Sultan:

I managed to run almost four tanks of gas through her, which really isn't hard to do with that little two gallon peanut tank. All in all, a very relaxing little scenic ride. I should take this old bike out more than I do.

911boost · 911boost's Garage

That is awesome Jeff! I did the same a few weeks ago just got on the Harley and went, ended up in Lander, Wyoming for the night. All in all about 700 miles round trip from home and it was great for my soul.

The bike is looking great!

asphaltgambler · 08-08-2022, 03:36 AM

Very cool man!

flatbutt · 08-08-2022, 05:52 AM

Nice bike Jeff.

gumby · 08-08-2022, 06:56 AM

Nice ride Jeff...it looks like it has some modifications, can you fill us in?

DonDavis · DonDavis's Garage

KevinTodd · 08-08-2022, 07:49 AM

Good looking Sporty!

Jeff Higgins · 08-08-2022, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gumby

Nice ride Jeff...it looks like it has some modifications, can you fill us in?

Thanks guys, I really do enjoy this old girl. We are now in our 43rd year together. It's getting harder and harder to blame the previous owner for things...

The most obvious modifications are the Corbin seat, the lower handlebars, and the front brake. The seat is far, far more comfortable than stock, and covered in leather, so far more durable as well. The lower bars are a good deal more comfortable for me than the original "mini apes". The front brake, from GMA, is a tremendous improvement in stopping power over the original (which was already a disc in 1976, by the way).

Less obvious is the conversion to right hand shift, which was original to Sportsters through 1974. DOT regulations mandated left hand shift in 1975, and Harley initially, through '76, used a really contrived, crappy system to accomplish that. Switching back to right hand shift is exceedingly simple on the '75's and '76's, and it makes for a much more positive shifting action. Plus, it's just traditional.

Digging deeper, there probably isn't a single Harley Davidson produced part between the cases anymore. The flywheels and rods are S&S, pistons are Wiseco. The cams are Andrews (their R5 grind, same timing as Harley PB+, but a good deal more lift), lifters are Jim's "big axle" (these thing use roller tappets). Pushrods are Crane chrome moly, rocker arms are Baisely custom roller tipped units, valves springs and keepers are all Kibblewhite. I guess the primary drive is stock, but the clutch is Barnett and all the tranny gears are Andrews. The whole works breathes in and out through an S&S Super E Shorty carb and Cycle Shack slip on mufflers.

The end result is an old Ironhead that will really surprise other Harley riders. While certainly not "fast" by modern standards, the guys on their big bore Evos, Twin Cams, and Milwaukee Eights got nuthin' for me. But, really, in the end, that's not what this bike is all about. All of that work was really meant to just make it reliable in the long run, so I can tootle around like I did yesterday, in confidence. That's what's most important to me. Darn near modern bike reliability on a cantankerous old Ironhead, with another cantankerous old Ironhead aboard. I've pretty much achieved that.

Eric Hahl · Eric Hahl's Garage

Neat looking bike!

Rot 911 · 08-08-2022, 05:04 PM

I have had a number of “big” Harleys, but I always keep coming back to Sportsters. They just fit me.

VINMAN · 08-08-2022, 05:26 PM

Very cool Jeff!

Last Ironhead I had was my 80 Sturgis. Miss that thing.

Theres just something differet about riding an old bike like that compared to the new couches on wheels. ( even though I m gonna be buying a Street Glide or an Indian bagger..) The older bikes let you know you are on a motorcycle. the roughness , the vibrations., etc...

I love my sporty, I put a ton of miles on it. Its not the kindest bike for long trips. You feel it at the end of the day. But I wouldnt give it up for anything..

.

herr_oberst · 08-08-2022, 05:30 PM

I can never help but think "Hodaka" when I see the points cover on that bike!

Jeff Higgins · 08-08-2022, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

I can never help but think "Hodaka" when I see the points cover on that bike!

I had a Combat Wombat when I was young. Made in Oregon, by the way.

The points cover is the old "all seeing eye" from Then Came Bronson. He had it on the tank, though.

herr_oberst · 08-08-2022, 06:27 PM

My buddy had a Wombat. He wasn't ready for the Combat Wombat. That'd be a fun bike to "just have" these days, because you rarely see them.

Eric Hahl · Eric Hahl's Garage

For the last 30 years I have worked with 2 guys helped get Hodaka on the map. Leon Wilbanks was the guy that gave them the funny names. Marv Foster was in advertising. He has a great story of riding a 90 from Oregon to Baja.

Leon is 80 and still riding. Somewhere out in Idaho probably clearing trails as we speak. Marv is near Salem Or.

Oh, they weren't really made in Oregon, the were japanese made bike, just made to Hodaka specs and imported. Leon has great stories about the process and meetings.

A930Rocket · 08-09-2022, 11:45 AM

Nice ride, Jeff!

I had a Hodaka Wombat when I was about 15. I would’ve liked to of had a Honda CR 125, but the Hodaka was cheaper.

LJ851 · 08-09-2022, 12:08 PM

Cool bike , Jeff.

Jeff Higgins · 08-09-2022, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric Hahl

For the last 30 years I have worked with 2 guys helped get Hodaka on the map. Leon Wilbanks was the guy that gave them the funny names. Marv Foster was in advertising. He has a great story of riding a 90 from Oregon to Baja.

Leon is 80 and still riding. Somewhere out in Idaho probably clearing trails as we speak. Marv is near Salem Or.

Oh, they weren't really made in Oregon, the were japanese made bike, just made to Hodaka specs and imported. Leon has great stories about the process and meetings.

Interesting - thanks, Eric. I always thought "Hodaka = Oregon". Turns out, after a bit of research, they were designed by the guys in Oregon and manufactured by Hodaka in Japan. You know, if there were ever a brand to be resurrected (Indian, Triumph, Norton, etc.), Hodaka should be one of them. I would buy a modern Road Toad, Dirt Squirt, Combat Wombat... on the name alone.

herr_oberst · 08-09-2022, 01:36 PM

"Hodaka" is the name of the Japanese mountain next to the factory. Translated, it means To grow taller.

Grow taller, little Dirt Squirt! Become the Combat Wombat that lives inside you!

Eric Hahl · Eric Hahl's Garage

Of course, since Leon named the Hodaka bikes and as he our GM he was keen on naming the go-karts we manufacture as well. He always wanted to name one the Super Rat, lol. I guess no else agreed as we never made a super rat go kart.

A little Hodaka History...https://octanepress.com/content/hodaka-early-1970s

Yes, I agree, they should bring back the brand!