Hello, When the skateboard craze hit So Cal, every store had models of boards complete with steel wheels. The custom wheels were for specialized versions only to be had at surf shops. The steel wheels stopped on a minute rock and pitched anyone over as a face plant. The custom mixture of skateboard wheels were strong enough to withstand the surfaces of the concrete sidewalks and even streets. Those also just rolled over any small rock like it was nothing… therefore, no face plants. Although the steel wheel versions were at the low end of the market, they sold like hot cakes at a free breakfast. The swap meets and low end stores sold them at low cost. And, their kids had a skateboard of sorts. Mass produced steel wheels made a flat plywood plank into a skateboard and that satisfied many unknowing parents. But, many face plants later, they opted for the real street wheels made of composite compound for safety and a better ride. Those early composite compound wheels were better than steel, but the newer polyurethane wheels took over and the market never looked back. Steel wheels were out and even the roller skate industry used polyurethane wheels. similar version My brother took our old metal wheels from our roller skate set and nailed them onto a 2x4 plank. Sidewalk surfing at its earliest. Many face plants later, we gave away the steel wheels and opted for the newer composite wheels, then polyurethane wheels. Now, we are into the normal skateboard phase and all of the radical stories that came with that time period. early composite wheels Jnaki An original sketch of the complete Scooter design A wooden "T" bar held on with steel "L" brackets, nose guard and rail guards for long life. (when the first wooden one was made, I went down the driveway and as I turned sharply, the whole "L" bracket system pulled out of the wood... YIKES) Many hours later, I made an original 60s oak skateboard plank into a custom scooter for our toddler son. Now, the brackets were steel plates arc welded to a cold rolled tube with a "T" cross handlebar on top. No breakage for that set up and construction. We still have the original ones today. The wheels came from my old box of skateboard supplies. That made the scooter safer for any toddler to move. But, I went one step farther and gave him a “T” handle bolted to the deck and thus created a custom skateboard scooter. The rear 5th wheel was to give it braking power and to keep a toddler from going over backwards. Later on, my son used it as a turning wheel at sharper corners on our sidewalk. Yes, I started a business called “Sunshine Scooters” that lasted a year due to liability costs way over our income. After I sold quite a few models, I had a giant factory recall with a full refund, due to liability issues. The construction was a snap, but I did not take into account for the end result of liability, incase a kid falls or uses the product in a collision. The first custom skateboard scooter… with a preventative wheelie stopping real wheel brake. Note: Plus, an adult size custom scooter for me: German Speed Bearings, hard SIMS street wheels wide Tracker trucks and a custom flame paint with pinstriping and blue tips. YRMV Lots of mile long scooting down the Camp Pendleton beach trail. Usually with a wetsuit/gloves on for warmth and protection. If I fell, at least there would be some ¼ inch rubber protection…Ha! And, they fit behind the seat of the El Camino with ease for lockable storage. For all other times, the bed is a wonderful place to strap them down, easily.
Now you walk a quarter mile from the car through the metal detector and into the store with the planned aisles that take you aimlessly through them in hopes of finding what you went there for. There's always the help that when they see you coming make a 180 before you can get to them.
Those composite wheels were great but only lasted a few hours on the city roads so it was back to the steel wheels.
Shout out to Huntington Beach for being a beacon of hope and a bright spot in a dimming, dismal state.
I didn't know they still existed...maybe not for long. Reminds me of a time in HomeDepot when I asked an "associate" where the skylites are? He sent me to the electrical section.
The Jalopy Journal
