A Motorized Skateboard for Speed-Happy Gearheads

You Built What?!
Walking is overrated. Here’s how to build the ultimate lazy man’s all-terrain vehicle, and a video of the sweet ride in action
By Doug Cantor Posted 02.28.2008 at 4:21 pm 13 Comments
On Deck: PopSci’s John Carnett on his home-built motorized skateboard. It can go as fast as 20 mph, and steers like a conventional board. Photo by John Howell

Citizens of Philadelphia, beware: You may see a grown man whizzing by you on a skateboard, doing 20 mph. That would be PopSci staff photographer John Carnett, and in case you don’t get a good look, it’s a souped-up, motorized board he built from the ground up.

Carnett wanted to create a motorized skateboard that would be superior to commercial models—a fast, hot-looking board that ran on all terrains. He started by cutting a shiny 44-inch-long aluminum deck and bending the ends and side rails. So that it could move easily from pavement to trail, he outfitted it with durable axles and eight-inch inflatable knobby tires.

Then there was the matter of installing a disc-braking system and a 500-watt electric motor. And since no wheel bearings existed that fit both the truck axle and his custom drive system, Carnett had to cobble together and weld an aluminum adapter plate to make everything fit. Then he attached a box to the underside that holds the motor controller and four batteries; when the first two die, the board can go another eight miles on the backups. Or he can let the board do the climbing work, and then power it off and freewheel downhill. Either way, it’s the sweetest ride on the road—or off it.

Turn the page for a look at how it works, and launch our gallery of additional images here.

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13 Comments

Comments

djquest1
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 03/04/08 at 11:52 pm

Can you give full schematics for how to build this very cool board. If not, how can I get one?

1 out of 1 people found this comment helpful
nolanramseyer
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 03/05/08 at 12:00 am

I also want to build a board similar to this in the next few weeks and am looking for more details on exactly how the gear/sprocket was attached to the axle, how the motor was stabilized, what the underside of the back looks like, etc...thank you
[you may contact me via email]

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liittual
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 03/07/08 at 5:34 pm

In the video it looks like you're going really slowly. I skateboard and I'm fairly certain I can outpace you on a regular board, which weighs a five pounds as opposed to 60 and doesn't cost me money just to recharge. Who would actually spend $800 on this? Its a nice idea, but I don't really see a point in using it unless you're taking it uphill or something, in which case pedaling can get a little tiring.

Also, why did you choose to use an aluminum frame? Hmm, wood has that crutch of losing its better qualities after it gets wet. Maybe yours won't. I'm still shocked about the 60 pounds tho. That's not exactly something you can lift up pretty easily. Maybe come up with a design that weighs under 20 lbs and i'll look into it.

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kickzero
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 03/10/08 at 8:06 pm

I am also interested in building this board. Can you email me further details?

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ChiMuChi
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 03/12/08 at 12:42 pm

I would like to build something similar to this, could you please e-mail me some more info on the control unit.

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Frost3648
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 03/16/08 at 1:15 am

I saw your article in the magazine and thought this may be a good way to get around where I live without wasting alot of gas. I would like to build one for myself but the search for parts is becoming very difficult and I was wondering if you could tell me some places where you bought your parts and maybe tell me how to set up the back end of the board (wheels, brakes, trucks etc.). If you could email me a tutorial I would appreciate it. Thanks

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sandtigger
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 03/16/08 at 5:25 pm

I think i am on the same bandwagon as most of the people here and am looking for advice on where to start with the parts and the construction of the motor interface. I have lines on some of the parts but the actual connection to the rear truck is a little puzzling. Thanks.

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ne-yo88
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 03/21/08 at 10:46 am

Can you send me the entire schematics for this thing,it sounds awesome

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marcasselin
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 04/07/08 at 3:16 pm

I am like most of the commenters here, can you please email me the specs and the parts that were used?

Thanks

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vorklic
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 04/26/08 at 1:55 pm

I would also like to know what motor and speed control components you used. Please email me, Thanks!

0 out of 0 people found this comment helpful
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