In 1969, the world was a hugely different place. The world was finally getting out of the grips of the Second World War and staring to move on to more rosy times. The culture reflected this, with the Easy Rider film, the ‘Stones, Led Zeppelin, Woodstock and watching the USA put a man on the moon.
While the UK motorcycle industry was a stuck record under blinkered management, Honda didn’t miss these good times. In fact, 1969 saw 10 new Japanese models launched, with just one British bike – and that was the Norton Interpol police bike.
Honda may have only been making bikes for less than two decades, but the Dax ST70 was purely for fun, to raise a smile. It was even named (apparently) after the Daschund dog! Yes, you could fold the handlebars down to pop it in a space, but few did and most just rode it, catching flies in their smiling mouths.
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The three-speed, 72cc single-cylinder was held in the traditional Honda pressed frame, which held (very) basic suspension and 10in wheels. 40mph is all day safe, but downhill can sneak you a little more…
For America – don’t they always get more? – there was the off-road Dax Trail 70 that featured engine brace down tubes, knobblies and high front mudguard. These little bikes were made from 1969 until 1981.
Raising smiles for a dozen years is a hell of a feat. And many are being imported from their main market, America, and make great restoration projects. Most parts are easily obtainable, and they take up less room. Want to smile? Get a dog – a Dax.
Original article appeared in the August 2026 issue of The Classic Bike Guide
