Posts in Category: Minson
New “Minson Roller Shuttle” pictures on eBay UK
Anthony from Australia found this 12″ junior skatebike on eBay in the UK. Notice they call it a Minson Roller Shuttle. Also it has the curved front support tube and even has the original box.
12″ Minson Roller Shuttle still in box
I searched on Minson Roller Shuttle and found this new eBay UK listing
Ever Seen a Chrome Skate Bike? – Jason S – UK
Jason S. from the UK recently bought on eBay a chrome Roller Shuttle, the UK branding of the Minson Skate Bike. While I have seen Roller Shuttles before, like Brent’s Brand New Unridden Roller Shuttle, I have never seen a chrome skate bike anywhere. Jason restores old Raleigh BMX Burner Cycles so he has the experience to do a wonderful restoration on the chrome skate bike.
Minson Restoration (3) – Rich Helms – Canada
Seat Post and Saddle
Brake lever on seat but no brakes yet
I was very encouraged by yesterday’s ride. The tire pressure was low so I pulled the tire/tube but could not find any leaks. I applied two layers of cloth tape to the rim inside to protect the tube from the spoke caps, dusted the tire inside with baby powder and reinflated. I will watch it.
I was not happy with the seat height so I need to look for another post. I got an aluminum one but it is snug. I will check the steel/chrome ones. The post is one inch but sold as a 25.4mm. A steel one is easy to find.
Next was the seat. I have several saddles at home and found this old Trak one. The hand brake lever mounted nicely and the seat is higher so I am going to try it. As discussed before I went for a coaster brake wheel. I can see the value of the hand brake so I am looking for a new one. The old one is badly corroded.
I am getting there. In the last few days I installed a 300 mm 25.4mm aluminum seat post to replace the steel 200mm one. The old post was corroded but the key problem was it was too short. Even with it extended beyond the safe limit I was still about two inches short. I believe having the seat at proper height will give better control like it does on a unicycle. The challenge was the new posts were a hair too thick. Between a belt sander and a wire wheel I removed a small amount and the new post fits great.
Minson Restoration (2) – Rich Helms – Canada
All of the new parts are on. Biggest challenge was the seat post and the crank cotters. The aluminum seat post I bought is speced as the same size but it is just a hair wider. I cleaned up the old steel chromed post and will see how it works. If I need the additional length I will work on the aluminum post to thin it or look for an older spec steel post. The crank cotters are also a hair large. I still had the old ones so I refit them.
-
- Before
-
- After
-
- Old Crank Cotter
-
- After
-
- Before
-
- After
Took the skate bike out for it’s first run since the rebuild.
Minson Skate Bike Owner’s Manual
I found the original owner’s manual for my Minson Skate Bike. I usually save owner’s manuals and while cleaning found it.
It is interesting that the manual refers to a 16″ wheel version (which is what I have) and a 12″ wheel version. I have never heard of the small wheel Minson. The LeRun used a 12″ wheel.
Minson Skate Bike Patent
Abstract
This invention relates to a roller bicycle having rollers rotably mounted on the front wheel shaft and a single rear wheel for a common use as a sporting and playing apparatus on which one can ride forward and backward by keeping his balance, thereby improving his agility and developing his physical strength.
While exploring the history of the Minson skate bike I found the original US patent for a “Roller bicycle“.
If you view the patent, under References Cited is the Garel patent 4,417,743
View patent US4523770
Google patent site of US4523770
Filed: Mar 14, 1983 Granted: Jun 18, 1985 Status: Lapsed
Minson with Training Wheels
Nov 17, 2019 SkateS BikeS ModS and More
Minson Skate Bike – Hands and Feet Free Coasting and Tight Turning
