cross-posted from: https://piefed.ca/c/vintageads@sh.itjust.works/p/873245/green-machine-1976

> Like a Big Wheel, but cooler. > > pnpy4QAdUHHUjcl.jpg >

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[–] 6 points 3 months ago (5 children)

The sticks aren't brakes: they rotate the rear wheels by changing the angle of the entire rear axle. As I recall you can propel the thing pretty well by moving the sticks back and forth to get a sort of snake-like motion

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  • [–] 2 points 3 months ago (4 children)

    Oh wow, it's like they designed it backwards: steering on the rear and propulsion in front haha. I'd love to see one in-person, or if the general idea could be revived.

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  • [–] 5 points 3 months ago (3 children)

    It looks like Huffy still makes them. Must have bought the naming rights I guess? The newer ones look rather different, tube frame construction now, but it appears the basic idea of RW steering + FW pedal drive still holds. From the photo, looks like the modern ones have a hand brake for the FW, too.

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  • [–] 1 point 3 months ago (2 children)

    That's also got a rubber tube front wheel instead of plastic.

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  • [–] 2 points 3 months ago (1 child)

    The plastics “tires” were what made the green machine so fun. You get up some stopped in a staring line then slam the levers forward and backward and spin out for a 180° then zoom back down the driveway on increasingly lumpy wheels from all the flat spots.

    Same with the big wheels with hand brakes, which weren’t as cool.

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