the rad scoot lives!
Thursday, January 22 | 1 Comment Okay, so I'm getting a little bit older but I'm beginning to appreciate all the things that I enjoyed as a kid and their inferior 2009 replacements. Or perhaps its like they say, the good old days weren't that old and not that good. But I digress.
Back in 1986 or '87, I had saved up a lot of my money to go and buy a scooter. Of course many of you are probably thinking about the razor scooters or something similar. The tiny solid rubber wheels, the small frame, the relative cheapness. But NO! The scooters back then were of the BMX variety. They were designed for tricks and for general awesomeness. Perfect for me. I can recall saving around $120 for this scooter and I really can't remember if my parents had to kick in some cash as well, but either way, I bought the Rad Scoot. It had pegs on every corner, an ACS rotor, that allows you to spin the handle bar without tangeling the brake cables, and a lime green and white scheme that was super. Come to find out now, the Rad Scoot was made by SE Racing, one of the pioneers of BMX and a premier bike maker today.
Over the years, I have kept the Rad Scoot, and even rode it around campus at ASU mostly because the rules at ASU said no roller blades, skateboards, or bikes on the sidewalks. Well, they didn't anticipate the emergence of the Rad Scoot. So I could glide around in record time, making the classes I cared to attend, plus it fit in the trunk of my car, which was nice.
Flash forward to now, well, the Rad Scoot was in working order still, but it was on the decline. A few chips of paint, some rust setting in and a few repairs were in order. So I began the project to restore the Rad Scoot to its former glory.
So here is where I will share my experience in restoring the Rad Scoot. Perhaps I shouldn't but I will.
First I had the frame and some tidbits powder coated by a super nice guy in Gilbert. Dale did a nice job and did it on the cheap. It took a few weeks, but I didn't care. I won't put his email down here to subject him to the spam that will follow, but if you need anything coated, he is a great resource.
Then I started hunting down various components like new grips, new brakes, and a search for new pegs.
So I went to a few bike shops. And let me tell you...in general, they all suck. There I said it. I went to the bike shop on Baseline and Gilbert Road...nothing. No service. No one wanted to answer my questions, they just tried to push parts on me that didn't match because, "they don't make them anymore." I went to Pat's Cycles, and I would put them in a decent catagory actually. They were very nice and tried to help, and even gave me a old peg that I needed. But, they weren't prepared to really get me what I need. I went to a shop in Phoenix, by my work and the guy wouldn't even pretend to know what I was asking for.
So after relaying this to my Brother in Law, he recommended Bikes Direct Bike Shop on Power, just south of Southern by Target. Bingo. The shop manager, Tom is a winner. He's young but real helpful. Takes time with each customer and answers every question. He has never really heard of my scooter, never worked with an old school rotor, but tried to find me new wheels by breaking out *shock* a catalog! He had white brake cable IN STOCK! He tied to find me pegs...bottom line, he only got like $30 of my money for a lot of work, but if we get a nicer bike for our kids, I'm heading back there. I recommend that shop to anyone.
All told, I spent too much money. But I got new wheels, new grips to match the old (see they DO make them still) a new ACS rotor for fun, a new foot plate fabricated from scratch, clear grip tape put on from Freedom Board Shop (Gilbert and Southern) custom decals made up in New Mexico, and all strung together with new white brake cables from Bikes Direct and Tom. It has taken me about 60 days to complete, but its done. So here are the pictures, and yes, its awesome...wait, no, its Rad.
Reader Comments (1)
It turned out awesome. I am impressed. Still not sure what possessed you to do it, but I am glad that I could help out in the process.