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How To Set Up a Skateboard
July 30, 2003
by Mimi Knoop
Here's what you'll need
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Whether you're looking to grind over the death-box in a Riverside pool or just cruise down the street for coffee, no skater should be clueless when it comes to setting up her ride. Fortunately, bolting your stick together is a lot less complicated than it seems. Here are step-by-step instructions that should help you out, no matter what your wrench skills.
You'll need:
- deck
- griptape
- trucks
- wheels
- bearings
- risers
- mounting hardware
- Philips-head screwdriver or Allen key (check your hardware)
- skate tool
- metal file
- razorblade or box cutter
Step 1: applying the grip tape
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Step 2: attach your trucks
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1. First, apply the griptape. Unpeel the backing and carefully stick the griptape evenly on the top surface of the deck. File down around the edges of the board, then use the razorblade or box cutter to slice off any excess.
2. Next, attach your trucks onto your board. Use a screwdriver to poke through the griptape where the holes for the trucks are. Then, push the mounting hardware from the top of the deck to the bottom.
Step 3: securing the truck to the board
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3. Keeping your palm flat against the heads, flip your deck over so the bottom is facing up. Now slide your risers over the hardware. Slide your truck on next, making sure the bushings face the center of the board. After that, twist one nut onto each piece of hardware. Holding the hardware head steady with the screwdriver (not necessary if using self-locking hardware, as shown), tighten the nut with the skate tool until it's flush with the truck. Don't over-tighten--you can cause stress fractures to your deck. Repeat for the remaining three pieces of hardware, and then for your other truck.
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