Build the SpinScooter

 by KoolKat
Featured
Once in awhile I get the urge to create a new wild and crazy cycle based on some idea from the many sketches I have collected over the years. Sometimes these bikes work out as planned, creating new and fun ways to move from point A to point B, and sometimes these creations fail, either in a huge flop, or a blaze of glory where the crash test pilot becomes acquainted with the pavement. This time, the plan worked out, resulting in a very unique and fun ride that is both challenging to master, and capable of some off-the-wall maneuvers.
 
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Step 1: You will need a BMX front wheel and a caster wheel

figure-01.jpg
The SpinScooter is based loosely on our SpinCycle Stunt Trike, allowing the front wheel to steer the vehicle as normal, but also allowing some out of control steering by allowing the rear caster to steer the rear of the vehicle. This front and rear steering gives the feeling of riding on ice, or doing a burn-out on a fast motorcycle. By shifting your weight around and controlling the front wheel, you can get the SpinScooter to do 360s, steer into a drift, or behave like a regular kick scooter. When you are first starting out, you will also learn creative ways to fall on your back!

As shown in Figure 1, you will require a pair of wheels - a standard front 20 inch BMX wheel and some kind of caster wheel like the ones you would find on the front of a shopping cart. The larger the caster, the more fine control you will have over the scooter, so choose the larger diameter caster wheel you can find. Also, rubber or air filled caster wheels are better than hard plastic casters for this project. The caster wheel shown in Figure 1 has a diameter of 8 inches and was taken from an old wheelchair.
KoolKat (author) says: Jan 30, 2013. 12:39 PM
Thanks for your comments and suggestions. Be aware that there are fraudsters on Instructables ripping off others' projects and posting them as their own. This is the original SpinScooter project that we made in 2009 and posted as a free DIY tutorial. Anybody who rips off others' work and takes credit for it should be banned.
HammE says: May 4, 2013. 12:36 PM
That's awesome! Is there a "no weld" version of this? I can't weld, and I would love to build it.
inthegroove says: Feb 16, 2011. 2:25 PM
When I saw that I knew I had to bulid one.I used the front wheel off a electric scooter. Changed the the rake to make it a caster. Relaxed the angle on the rear wheel to make it a little more safe. Gave it to a 9 year old boy for Christmas and he loves it...
ottist35 in reply to inthegrooveSep 6, 2011. 9:14 PM
Hi tgere! Can you post some pics of your scooter project? I was thinking of doing the exact same thing you did. Id like to see what it looks like.
It looks good on your profile pic but is too small to see any detail..
Good job and thanks.
inthegroove in reply to ottist35Sep 23, 2011. 8:46 AM
Here are some pics of the scooter...
IMG_0550.JPGIMG_0553.JPGIMG_0551.JPG
ottist35 in reply to inthegrooveSep 23, 2011. 12:56 PM
hey Inthegroove, the scooter looks awesome. Thanks so much for the pictures, i hope mine comes out looking that good.
thanks again!
ottist35 says: Sep 6, 2011. 9:15 PM
Do you have any video footage of how the scooter behaves? It would be great to see it in action
gofast845 says: May 6, 2011. 10:00 PM
i made on except with out welding or creating a frame for it and it works the same ill post an instructable if you want. there very fun thanks for the idea
drummonkey92 in reply to gofast845May 8, 2011. 6:44 AM
if you've got a no-weld version you should post it :)
gofast845 in reply to drummonkey92May 9, 2011. 5:42 PM
will doo :]
drummonkey92 says: May 8, 2011. 6:44 AM
That looks amazing!
ctz says: Jan 24, 2011. 10:41 AM
I made one off your instructable and it works great. Ive even gone off a ramp and got some major air. GREAT INSTRUCTABLE
Dr. Pepper says: Jan 18, 2011. 6:44 PM
Amazing!
Diabloscope says: Jul 22, 2010. 6:34 PM
what about some foot pegs for the wheels , i see potential for some freestyle tricks , Wheres the Video Action Shots !! Looks Fun !!
KoolKat (author) in reply to DiabloscopeJul 23, 2010. 7:35 AM
We did some jumps and flips, but the vid got corrupted thanks to a computer virus. :(
rainger in reply to KoolKatSep 4, 2010. 7:52 AM
Do some more! = ) I'm using this project as a intro to shop-work for my 10 year old, and some video would be a great motivator, as well as a tantalizing goal for us to pursue! We promise to post a pic of ours when we finish! Great job on the imagination and guts to try it!
eyerobot says: Sep 2, 2010. 8:15 AM
This is fairly close to the scooter I built last fall, With bycicle handle bars. It wasnt designed for anything spectacular though, Just a scooter thats easier to steer. Good job.
IzzyP says: Jul 22, 2010. 8:23 PM
It looks really cool. Do you think you could add a video?
KoolKat (author) in reply to IzzyPJul 23, 2010. 7:31 AM
We did take video, but a virus infected our computer and corrupted the vid. Maybe if it stops raining, we'll get another on done.
rainger in reply to KoolKatAug 11, 2010. 2:58 AM
Has it stopped raining yet? Pleeeeease can we watch a movieee? = )
the_burrito_master says: Jul 22, 2010. 1:52 PM
Wish i were a welder! i wanna buy hese from kmart some day ,have you thought about selling them?
KoolKat (author) in reply to the_burrito_masterJul 23, 2010. 7:33 AM
Too much liability insurance!
ExtremeYoshiFan in reply to KoolKatAug 9, 2010. 9:47 PM
Really, because I would buy one. And not care as to what happens, put a disclaimer on the box, problem solved.
the_burrito_master in reply to KoolKatJul 23, 2010. 4:34 PM
Awww that sucks, It doesn't look any harder to ride than a ripstik.
sssssbooom says: Jul 22, 2010. 10:40 PM
I want a video, please! It looks amazing.
TOCO says: Jul 22, 2010. 3:56 PM
cool, I used to make crazy bikes all the time. We even got a bike that clownes ride.
KoolKat (author) in reply to TOCOJul 23, 2010. 7:34 AM
Awesome! We have a builders forum with hundreds of homebuilt bikes, if you'd like to submit a pic of your bikes: http://www.atomiczombie.com
TOCO in reply to KoolKatJul 23, 2010. 10:02 AM
I wish i could. We moved away and all of the bikes got ran over by my friends dad. They would always leave them behind his truck. Now they are all gone.
rimar2000 says: Jul 22, 2010. 7:08 PM
Is it very difficult to drive this device?
KoolKat (author) in reply to rimar2000Jul 23, 2010. 7:33 AM
At first to keep your balance, but then easy to make 360s and sideways slides. I'll add a sentence to the plan that wearing a helmet is a good idea.
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