Honda ST series (minibike)
Honda Dax is a small motorized two-wheeler from Honda, which was offered with a variety of size versions.
Equipment
Dax is driven by the horizontal single-cylinder four-stroke moped engine SS 50 in a modified form. This single-cylinder engine with its numerous variants of the most produced four-stroke engine for a bicycle and is to this day used. Instead of a five-speed manual transmission, 50 came into use only in the SS model, a three-speed transmission with centrifugal clutch was used without a separate manual operation.
The basic design, which was in 1969 used for the first Dax model was so innovative that it is unchanged up to the present license held replicas except for minor modifications and achieved worldwide cult status for many fans. All models were in many respects on: small wheels in size 3.50 x 10, the tank is hidden under the seat. The handlebar can be folded down, making them today fit in any van and (like the Monkey even smaller ) is popular as a motorized vehicle in motorhomes. Thanks to the four -stroke engine, the engine noise is much quieter and more comfortable for many people as the shrill sound in the 1970s, the two-stroke mopeds. Also striking is the typical exhaust, which, as is usually the only off-road motorcycles, side pulls upward. Together with the long forks (due to get through the small wheels nevertheless a sufficiently high seating position for the driver ) saw the Dax thus always something of a too small geratenes terrain motorcycle.
Versions
In Germany there were several versions with different power. The weaker model ST50G, limited to about 40 km / h and to ride the cheap moped insurance plate, and the model ST50E with 4.5 hp ( Err kW) at 9000/min suitable for the category 4 and 5 at 70 km / h With more displacement, there was still the model ST70. With approximately 70 cc approx 70 km / h have been achieved and you need the former driver's license of class 1 ( from 18 years). The insurance rating was very low in the class " motorcycle to 10 hp" and was the " saving up " damage-free years of insurance very popular. Today, old 70's as light motorcycles up to 80 km / h can be admitted.
In the depicted in the picture "DAX " is offered in the U.S. version called CT70 (Cross Trail ). The U.S. version was sold from 1969 to 1994 and can be seen on the high-set chrome fenders and the fork on the side-mounted reflectors. Also, the U.S. bench on a flatter shape and does not have the typical DAX strap. Since on the top photo a DAX is shown with a manual clutch (recognizable by the clutch lever on the left handlebar ), it is the demand in USA Model CT70H or Trail70H with the for this model available at option, chromed engine protection.
Delivery of the American "DAX ", the one that was there exclusively delivered with the drilled 72cm ³ engine, the highly successful HONDA CUB50 CT70, began with two models, the CT70 known with the three-speed centrifugal clutch gearbox and a " CT70H " version with four-speed transmission and hand-operated clutch. Honda looked at the United States at that time still as an agricultural state and aimed the CT70 generally, with the CT70 "H" specifically to the American farmers, hunters and foresters. The "H" version should help to even better off-road capability of the CT70, but was already set in 1972. This model and its drive are therefore highly sought after today.
In Europe, covered the ( colloquially called "duck tail" referred to ) fenders hood-like the tires off and were initially painted always silver. On later models, these fenders have been replaced by smaller guards, who were then getting chromed. In combination with the slimmer, chrome fenders, a rear splash guard made of plastic has been added. The hitherto typical for all Honda models round rear light ( with yellow brake light ) was replaced by a in the rear splash guard integrated, rectangular taillight.
The early primal Daxen were equipped from the factory with a 6 volt ignition and lighting system. The light yield was quite low. It happened that when idling and the lights with 41 watt did not drain enough power to reliably operate even the turn signals the ST70, the motorcycle model, can. With the above- mentioned revision production break in 1988 presented the gewappnete for the known tuning new DAX type AB23 for the German " Antimanupulationskatalogs " after eight years. The DAX AB23 now had a 12 volt ignition and lighting system, a hydraulic telescopic fork front and slightly improved rear shock. The chain protection of AB23 was no longer bolted to the press frame, the DAX, but was attached to the swing arm. The early 6-volt models had only a side stand. With the introduction of the type DAX AB23 also a central main stand was now available on this model. Honda introduced a selling the DAX AB23 1999. Some ( and European ) traders have then bought the last ones, which is why even today new models in the last series may be available.
Meanwhile, there are a lot of tuning accessories for the small four-stroke engines. So you can find motorcycles up to 184 cc.
Replica
Today (2009 ), they are mainly manufactured in different models of Chinese companies and offered in Germany, such as Sky Team (Jiangsu Sacin Motorcycle Co. ) or also Jincheng Motors and others.
The numbers of still built and multiply significantly more developed engine amount to more than ten million. The motor comes as a licensed replica except in the replicas of Honda Dax, Monkey and Gorilla standard with up to 125 cm3 now also in much larger two-wheelers such as the Kymco NEXXON and the Sachs MadAss used.