I found this photo the other day of "Sidewalk Cruising" from the 50's. When I was about their age, we lived in San Francisco (1950-1958) and my older brother made one of these coasters. I remember flying down the streets on these with a look out at the corners for cars coming. If there were, we get our shoes out to slow us down or end up slamming into a parked car. If all were clear, we'd slide around the corners (drifting) or continue across and down the next hill. It was really cool. When traffic was heavy, we ended up doing this all on the side walks. This was really scary as anyone coming out of their house could and would get run over! Ah, the good old days!
Never seen those in the late 50's early 60's. I probably wouldnt have made it through those days on those things. They look like a blast! We did make the old wooden go carts like the rascals though. Racing down the hills watching for cross traffic was wicked. Nothing but a board, nail and a tire to slow us down. San Fran... man u had a lot hills to use there.
Hi. I made one of those in early 50's. For axels I filed down the ends of 2X4's enough where I could pound on the used bearings Dad brought home for me to use. Then drove a few big nails into the ends of the 2X4's to widen the end sticking out to hold the bearing in place. Did not need a horn to warn people as those old bearings made plenty of racket rolling on the pavement. even made a Soap box Derby style hand brake out of a piece of 2X4 that went thru the floor at a shallow angle & I pulled back on the top of the 1x4 and back end drug the pavement & really stopped good. Jimmie
Where are the tattoos, cuffed jeans, and cigarette packs rolled up in the tshirt sleeves? Must be a photoshopped picture! Kidding aside, those things look like a hell of a lot of fun. I would have died on one of those... Very cool picture.
The good old days,we called em Billy Carts,luckily enough the hardware store was just around the corner,yeah 4''bearing and wood was the norm,also made a bigger cart to collect beer bottles,12c a Dozen was good money in 65! Gaz!
We also had Flexys. If you don't know what they are, look them up. I still have mine. Many were sold and are still out there. A real parents nightmare and totally deadly. I think they took them off the market in the early 60's.
Sure brings back memories. In the early 70's a lot of us made "Go Carts" much like the ones pictured by the O/P. We'd scrounge up wheels (lawn mower, shopping carts, etc.) and hit a local construction site s**** pile for wood. Some guys carpeted theirs. Some also did the rope wrapped steering column with steering wheel setup for steering. I made one that was built super low (maybe 1" clearance) as I placed the 2x4 "axles" on top of the plank. It had a small diamond pleated fibergl*** bucket seat. Man could that thing corner.
My brother and I made a wood go cart with the rope steering and and an Reo motor off my dad old mower .Man that thing could fly .The steering wasn't the greatest .Then we went so fast one day w couldnt steer it around a curve and went flying out over a large creek. That wrecked it and dad say no more your going to kill yourselfs. lol. Bruce.
I remember those carts, coming from the east coast, we built them with baby carriage wheels. I lived on Green Street in North Beach from 1956-1958, and graduated from Galileo High school in 1958. do you remember on what street the picture was taken ? nick.
A good friend and I made a few for the dirt hill 'up north' and got hurt plenty of times. I should probably make one for my kids.
My brother and I made a go-kart out of our old bikes and some s**** wood my dad had. We lived towards the bottom of a hill, so we'd pull it to the top and then ride it down to our house. Hours of summer time fun.
Nick, you lived in the Ritzy area! It looks to be in Richmond district of San Francisco. I lived in the Richmond and all the streets look the same. 18th Ave / Geary/ Cabrillo/Cortez.
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