Five Wheel Drive: Bikes: Hodaka:

About
Bikes
Cars

CopyScape

Up One Category From Bikes
About
Bikes
Cars

Bikes Hodaka

Other Categories In Bikes
A C E
A M C
A W O
Ambassador Dmw
Ariel
B S A
Benelli
Bridgestone
Buell
Cagiva
Cogsley Farnesworth
Cotton
D K W
Ducati
Francis Barnett
Gilera
H R D
Hellbound Steel
Hodaka
Hyosung
Iver Johnson
K T M
Lefas
M V Agusta
Matchless
Minsk
Mondial
Moto Guzzi
Nanjing Jincheng
Norman Motorcycles
O E C Commander
Pierce Motorcycles
Ridley
Rudge Witworth
Scott
Skoda
Suzuki
Tenturi
United Motors Co
Voxan
A J P
A P C
Aeromere Capriolo
American Ironhorse
B B C
Baja Auto
Bimota
Britten
Bultaco
Calthorpe
Confederate
Crocker Motorcycle
D O T
Excelsior Henderson
Fuji Rabbit
Gitane
Haden
Hercules
Honda
I M Z-ural
James Cycles
Kawasaki
Lilac
Magni
Mego
Modena
Montesa
Moto Morini
Nimbus
Norton Motorcycles
O K Supreme
Puch
Rokon
Sachs
Sherco
Steed
Swift
Terrot
Velocette
Zundapp
A J S
A T K
Alta
Aprilia
B M W
Batavus
Boss Hoss
Brough
C C W
Chang Jiang
Cooper
Cushman
Douglas
F N
Gas Gas
Greeves
Harley-davidson
Hesketh
Husqvarna
Indian
Jawa
Laverda
M T T
Malaguti
Merkel
Monark
Morbidelli
Motobtcane
Nimbus 2
Nougier
Panther
Rickman
Royal Enfield
Saxon
Simplex
Sunbeam
T V S
Tomos
Vengeance

Pabatco a company located in Athena, Oregon first opened their doors in 1961, but it was not until Yamaguchi's bankruptcy that the Hodaka motorcycle would be built in the United States.

With Pabatco's experience in motorcycle building now coupled with Hodaka's engineers experience in transmissions, the Hodaka America was born and soon grew a large following as well as reputation. By 1964 their dream had become a reality and Hodaka had managed to design the perfect high-performance trial bike.

By 1965, Farm Chemicals of Oregon, who was the parent company of Hodaka, was purchased by a division of the Royal Dutch Shell Oil Company called Shell Chemical. At this time Shell had never had any experience in the motorcycle industry but seeing as Hodaka was at the time proving to be profitable, they were allowed to continue their work in peace and by 1969 Hodaka had prepared to release a crate racer that became an instant success. With the high level Shell executives closely monitoring their little toy company, Hodaka could now breathe a sigh of relief.

With an inability to adapt to new technology which was caused by Shell not wanting to help their toy project grow, Hodaka was forced to use obsolete components in their motorcycles and so by 1979 Hodaka was forced to shut their doors.

The Hodaka named was sold to a Korean based company the following year.

Original Authors: Nicholas
Edit Update Authors: M.A.Harris
Updated On: 03/06/2008


Program Software Development © Globel Limited UK LOGON