A little background...
I was fortunate enough to own a '71 Honda Z50 Mini Trail bike when I was 10 years old, just like the one shown above. It was my first bike and I learned basic riding skills roaming the fields of Door County, WI in the summertime. It's hard to describe just how special those times were, and the incredible freedom this little bike brought. The sensation of wind and speed was intoxicating, and it wasn't long before I wanted something bigger and faster. Once I got a glimpse of the SL70, it became the bike of my dreams for years. Unfortunately, it always seemed to elude me and I never got one.
One day in late September, 2013, seemingly out of the blue the SL70 came to my mind again for some odd reason. I started researching it on the internet and before I knew it, I was driving down to South Carolina to pick up a used one I found for sale. I couldn't believe how excited I was driving down to get it, like I was 12 years old again launching off on some new adventure. I kept asking myself what was so compelling about this particular bike, and what it represented to me. The words freedom, adventure, excitement and a bit of danger kept coming to me. I guess those things are pretty important to a 12 year old boy, and in many ways I guess we never outgrow them.
I have been amazed at the popularity this bike still has to so many who grew up in the '60s and '70s. Most of the men my age (early 50s) remember this bike, and I seem to get a universal "I always wanted one of those!" when I show them a picture of one. I think for me the SL70 cemented that sense of freedom, adventure and excitement and helped to awaken and call out the man in the boy (as illustrated in the vintage ad on the Contact page). At least that is why, in large measure, this bike is so endearing to me.
One day in late September, 2013, seemingly out of the blue the SL70 came to my mind again for some odd reason. I started researching it on the internet and before I knew it, I was driving down to South Carolina to pick up a used one I found for sale. I couldn't believe how excited I was driving down to get it, like I was 12 years old again launching off on some new adventure. I kept asking myself what was so compelling about this particular bike, and what it represented to me. The words freedom, adventure, excitement and a bit of danger kept coming to me. I guess those things are pretty important to a 12 year old boy, and in many ways I guess we never outgrow them.
I have been amazed at the popularity this bike still has to so many who grew up in the '60s and '70s. Most of the men my age (early 50s) remember this bike, and I seem to get a universal "I always wanted one of those!" when I show them a picture of one. I think for me the SL70 cemented that sense of freedom, adventure and excitement and helped to awaken and call out the man in the boy (as illustrated in the vintage ad on the Contact page). At least that is why, in large measure, this bike is so endearing to me.