Editor’s Note: This originally appeared in print issue Volume 2, #1 of Skate and Annoy, circa 2001. It was written was written for about a year in advance. This feature goes way back to the days of static HTML, but has since been imported the database for the sake of posterity. The pictures are tiny because everyone had small screens and modems back in those days. Your phone might have higher resolution. The original publication date has been preserved in the post date. I almost didn’t port it all to the new back end, but hey, it’s history, warts and all. Enjoy. K.ed – 3/5/14
So you’ve finally decided to start skating again, or that old Santa Cruz has finally given up the ghost after all this time. You want a new set up, but you don’t want one of the new school skinny Popsicle stick boards. You can’t afford the prices old decks are going for on eBay. What can you do? Stop skating? Never fear, the answer is here. I’ll tell you how to get an old school set up that won’t break the bank.
Decks
There are a few websites out there that sell decks from the 80s and early 90s. Ebay is the most famous of course, but old mint decks go for ridiculous prices on there (see my eBay watch elsewhere in this issue). You can get used decks for OK money on there, but it still probably isn’t your best bet. Some shop sites still sell old school stock. You can get everything from decks to riser pads and clothes. It’s amazing what you can find (old grind King riser pads with the hole for the allen wrench anyone). Some of the prices aren’t bad either. I recently got some Santa Cruz Bullet 66s from the 80s for $9 a wheel. Stock can be spotty however, and you don’t have choice of colors etc.
Never fear though, because with some digging you can find a ton of companies that still make old school decks. Some are old companies that are still going unbeknownst to most, while some are new companies with roots. You won’t find them (probably) at your local skate shop, but I’ll tell you how to get ‘em!
Dogtown are still going, and in addition to their new school decks and longboards, they also make 3 old school decks: the Chalice, the WCS and the Skull Cross. The Chalice is 9.5 x 32.75, the WCS is 9x 32.75, and the Skull Cross is 8.75 x 32.25. They have a full range of t-shirts and hoodies too. www.dogtownskatboards.com
Another old company still making decks is Z-Flex. They offer the Jay Adams at 9.5 x 33.5. www.poolskater.com.
Similarly, Alva skates is still going, and they make a couple of old school sizes. The scratch deck comes in 8.5 x 32, and the original logo comes in up to 9.5 by 32. Simple graphics, but I’ve always dug the scratch logo. They also have t-shirts and wheels etc. www.alvaskateboards.com
A lot of people don’t know that Skull Skates is still going, but it is, and it still makes a full line of decks, from new school to classic longboards (including the Dead Guys deck!). They make a few different sizes of old school decks, all with the classic Skull skates graphic. They are based in Canada, so the prices are in Canadian $: they look high until you realize that. They also have a full range of wheels, clothing and other stuff that you need (if you can get them to answer their email). www.skullskates.com
Powell recently reissued 2 classic graphics in old school sizes: the old Mike McGill with the skull and snake, and the Allan Gelfand with the tank. They aren’t the original shape, but are large enough to be considered old school. The Gelfand is 9.5 x 33.75, and the McGill is. 9.75 x 33.75. They also make 2 decks with hotrod flames in blue and red. They are 9.375 x 33.75. www.powellskateboards.com
Todd Swank started Foundation skateboards a long time ago, and his old school roots are evident because they make 4 different old school decks, which they call the “pool rider” series. They all look like they are the same shape and size–8.75 x 32.5. The graphics are cool though. You have the Del Mar graphics, the Mermaid, King Kong, and the Skull Spitting Fire. The same graphics are also on wheels and on longboards. I dig the Mermaid myself, but you probably can’t go wrong with any of them. www.foskco.com
A new company with a ton of old school decks is Scum Skates. They have at least 8 different models, including an Allan Losi pro model measuring in at 9.25 x 32.75, two different Dave Ruel pro models (8.75 x 32.625), the Trash Can (10 x 32), Three Evils (8.625 x 32.625), Splash (old Lester Kasai graphics) (9 x 32.5), the Prayer (8.5 x 32.35) and the Beer Run (9.125 x 32.25). You can get these at www.eastcoastskates.com in the Pool section of the decks (along with a lot of others mentioned here).
Ricki Rachtman is probably a name most of you remember from MTV’s Headbanger’s Ball, but you probably don’t know that he has long roots in skating. He used to work at Del Mar way back in the day. Anyways, a couple of years ago he started making decks under the name Pool School, and he has a couple of old school flavors. The Glazed is 8.875 x 32.875 and features a logo “borrowed” from Krispy Kreme donuts. It’s bigger brother is the Punx deck at 9.5 x 33, and this one has leopard skin graphics. I have a Punx, and I have to say it rocks. $40 is what they cost. They have cool t-shirts too. www.poolschool.net
Beer City skateboards have been making decks (and putting out punk rock) for years now, and they still make old school decks. They have to because they sponsor the master of disaster, Duane Peters! The Duane Peters “Old School Stripes” is 9.5 x 32.75, and the Duane Peters “Deathbed” is 8.625 by 32.75. They also have a full selection of wheels and trucks etc. Well worth a visit to www.beercity.com.
Wounded Knee are a small company that make a lot of old school decks. The “We Were Punk First” deck is 8.3 x 31.75, and the “We Remember” is 9.0 x 32.125. Their plain deck is 8.75 x 32.125.
Gravity skateboards have been making longboards for some time, but they also make one old school deck. Their Pool deck is 9 by 36, and has real old school flavor, what with the skull graphics and all! www.gravityskateboards.com
Another longboard company that makes old school decks are Sector 9. Their website sucks big time, but they have the “Deep End” series that features 4 old school size decks. The Nude Bowl is 8.875 x 33.25, the Chicken Bowl is 9 x 33.25, the Basic Bowl is 9 x 36, and the Basic Bowl is 9 x 38.5. The graphics are basic black and white, and they aren’t cheap, starting at $49. www.sector9.com
Wes Humpston. one of the original artists behind Dogtown, recently issued a new Shogo Kubo signature deck. It’s a thing of beauty, and I’m not sure I’d skate it if I got one. It would go right on the wall! However, it is old school size and shape, and at $55 isn’t too badly priced.
I’m sure there are more out there, but this should get you started. I will report back with any additions I find!
Trucks
Now you have your new deck, what trucks are you going to put on it? There your choices are limited. Your old Thunders/Trackers/Gullwings from back in the day have the old school mounting pattern–they won’t fit the new decks unless you drill the deck. Buy new trucks you say? Fine, but most truck companies today don’t make trucks wider than 8″. The only “name” truck manufacturer who does is Independent. They still make 9″ and 10″ wide trucks, and they feature dual mounting patterns so they can go on old or new decks. Smart thinking Indy. Another plus is that you can get them anywhere. Some of the longboard companies make their own trucks in wider widths (Sector 9 being one), but I’ve never tried them and wouldn’t recommend them. Tracker supposedly makes a wide truck with dual mounting pattern, but I haven’t seen it yet.
Bushings
If you need to replace your old bushings you have a million options. Most major truck manufacturers make replacement bushings for their trucks in differing durometers. Most even have replacement parts like kingpins, pivot cups etc. For a good 3rd party bushing try Doh-Dohs by Shorty’s. They come in 4 different colors, each one being a different duro. White is 98A-hard, red is 95, yellow is 92 and blue is soft. www.shortysinc.com
Wheels
It is reasonably hard but not impossible to find bigger wheels (60mm and bigger). Most companies make at least one and call it a longboard wheel. For example Powell make Bones Wings Cruisers at 65mm/80A, and Bombers at 64 and 68MM/85A. World Industries make their version of the Bomber at 74mm, and Spitfire make the Powercore at 64mm and 92A.
Bearings
There are a million bearings out there today, and it is easy to get lost in the choice. I say stick with who you know and get Bones bearings. The Swiss are expensive and the Ceramics are ridiculously so, but the Bones Reds or China bearings are only about $15 and are great. Stay away from Speed Metal bearings. They suck.
Rails
It’s hard to find rails, but you can find them if you look hard enough. The longboard places have them, as do some of the bigger mail order houses.
Mounting Hardware/Risers
Believe it or not, it can be harder to find 1/2″ risers (which are necessary if you ride bigger wheels) and mounting hardware long enough than almost any other pat of an old school setup. Most companies just aren’t making 1/2″ risers anymore and your old ones won’t fit the new mounting pattern. Similarly, most mounting hardware is of the 1″ and 1.25″ variety which isn’t long enough. You need at least 1.5″. Powell make mounting hardware long enough, even though most skate shops don’t carry it so it might be a special order. Forget about innovative mounting hardware like Thunderbolts or BridgeBolts. They just don’t make them anymore. The closest things is Randoms, which have wedges that stick in the deck meaning you only need 1 tool. However, they don’t come any longer than 1″. As for risers, you could put 2 1/4″ ones together, or a company called East Bilt makes 1/2″ risers and calls them Towers, and Shorty’s make Dooks risers in 1/2″ flavor. I’m sure that longboard companies make them too come to think about it.
Griptape
There any numerous choices here, but stay away from Iron Horse. It’s grippy but super thin and it tears off of your deck real quick. Also, most comes in strips no wider than 8.5″, so total coverage will be tricky. If you want any color other than black you are in trouble. For wider stuff check the longboard companies. Bottom line: you can’t go wrong with Jessup who has been making griptape forever. www.griptape.com
There you go. Creating a new old-school setup isn’t as easy as going down to the local skateshop, but can be accomplished fairly easily. However, you will have to buy things from different places, so be patient. Or buy a complete from eBay for $500!!
