Honda Dax

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Honda Dax
Honda Dax, US version
Jincheng JC50Q

Honda Dax is a small motorized two-wheeler made by Honda . It was offered in different displacement versions.

Furnishing

The Dax is powered by the horizontal single-cylinder four-stroke engine of the SS 50 small motorcycle in a modified form. This single-cylinder engine with its numerous variants is the most-produced four-stroke engine for a two-wheeler and was still installed until 2014. Instead of a five-speed gearbox, which was only used in the SS 50 model, a three-speed gearbox with a centrifugal clutch without separate manual operation was used.

The shape of the first Dax model, introduced in 1969, was so innovative that, apart from minor modifications, it remained unchanged until today's license replicas and achieved cult status for many fans around the world. All models stood out in several ways: small wheels measuring 3.50 × 10, the tank is built into the frame welded from two sheet metal shells under the bench. The handlebars can be folded down, which means that it fits in every van today and (like the even smaller Monkey ) is popular as a motorized vehicle for mobile homes . Thanks to the four-stroke engine, the engine noise is much quieter and, for many people, more pleasant than the high-pitched noise of two-stroke mopeds in the 1970s . Also noticeable is the typical exhaust, which, as is otherwise only usual with off-road motorcycles, pulls upwards to the side. Together with the long suspension forks (due to the small wheels, in order to still get a sufficiently high seating position for the driver) the Dax always looked like an off-road motorcycle that was too small.

Versions

In Germany there were several versions with different performance. The weaker model ST50G , limited to approx. 40 km / h and with the inexpensive moped insurance license plate , and the model ST50E with 4.5 HP (3 kW) at 9000 / min for driving license classes  4 and 5 with 70 km / h . Then there was the model ST70 with more displacement . With a displacement of around 70 cm³, it reached approx. 70 km / h and you needed a class 1 driver's license (from 18 years of age). The insurance classification was very cheap in the motorcycle class up to 10 hp and was very popular for saving damage-free insurance years. Today old 70s are registered as light motorcycles up to 15 hp.

The DAX shown in the picture above is the version offered in America called CT70 (Cross Trail). The US version was sold from 1969 to 1994 and can be recognized by the high-set chrome fenders and the reflectors attached to the side of the fork. The US bench is also flatter and does not have the typical DAX holding strap. Since the photo above shows a DAX with a manually operated clutch (recognizable by the clutch lever on the left side of the handlebar), it is the model CT70H or Trail70H, which is in demand in the USA, with the chrome-plated engine guard available for this model.

The delivery of the American DAX as CT70, which was delivered there exclusively with the 72 cc engine of the extremely successful HONDA CUB50, began with two models, the CT70 with the well-known three-speed centrifugal clutch gearbox and a CT70H version with four-speed gearbox and manually operated clutch. At that time, Honda still regarded the USA as an agricultural state and aimed the CT70 in general, and the CT70 H specifically at American farmers, hunters and foresters. The H version was supposed to give the CT70 even better off-road mobility, but it was discontinued in 1972. This model and its drive are therefore very much sought after today.

In Europe, the mudguards (also known colloquially as "duck tails") covered the tires in the shape of a hood and were initially always painted silver. On later models these fenders were replaced by smaller fenders, which were then always chrome-plated. In combination with the slimmer, chrome-plated fenders, a rear plastic splash guard has been added. The round taillight (with yellow brake light) that was typical for all Honda models up to that point was replaced by a rectangular taillight integrated into the rear splash guard.

The early Ur-Daxes were factory-fitted with a 6-volt ignition and lighting system. The light output was quite low. It happened that when idling and the lights were switched on at 41 watts, there was not enough current to operate the indicators of the ST70 motorcycle model reliably. With the above-mentioned revision, after eight years of production pause due to the German anti-manipulation catalog in 1988, the new DAX of the type AB23, armed for the well-known tuning, was presented. The DAX AB23 now had a 12 volt ignition and lighting system, a hydraulic telescopic suspension fork at the front and slightly improved shock absorbers at the rear. The chain guard of the AB23 was no longer screwed to the press frame of the DAX, but was attached to the swing arm. The early 6-volt models only had a side stand. With the introduction of the DAX type AB23, a central main stand was now also available on this model. Honda stopped selling the DAX AB23 in 1999. Some (also European) dealers bought the last copies back then, which is why new models of the last series could still be available today.

There are now many tuning accessories for the small four-stroke engines. There are even motorcycles with a displacement of up to 184 cm³.

Replica

Today (2009) they are mainly manufactured in various model variants by Chinese companies and also offered in Germany, for example by Sky Team ( Jiangsu Sacin Motorcycle Co. ) or Jincheng Motors and others.

The number of units of the engine, which is still being built and has been significantly refined several times, is more than ten million. In addition to the replicas of the Honda Dax, Monkey and Gorilla, the engine is now used as standard with up to 125 cm 3 in much larger license replicas such as the Kymco Nexxon and Sachs MadAss .

Web links

Commons : Honda Dax  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ alibaba.com: Jiangsu Sacin Motorcycle Co., Ltd. Dax replicas from Sky Team