Before BMX was a worldwide sport with stadium lights and TV coverage, it was a handful of kids in Southern California, taking their bikes off-road and pretending to be motocross stars. And leading the charge was Webco BMX.
Founded in the early 1970s, Webco was one of the very first companies to see the potential in this new movement. Long before “BMX” was a household name, Webco was building tough, lightweight frames and parts designed to take the abuse of dirt jumps, backyard tracks, and endless wheelies down the block.
Their gear quickly became the standard for young riders pushing the limits. Webco bikes weren’t about cruising; they were about racing, jumping, and going bigger every time. By the mid-70s, BMX tracks were popping up across the U.S., and Webco was already cemented as one of the founding names of the sport.
Today, Webco’s legacy lives on in the culture of BMX. Every tail whip, tabletop, and backyard session trace its roots back to those first kids on Webco bikes, proving that a simple idea - mixing motocross style with pedal power - could launch an entire movement.
Webco BMX wasn’t just early to the game. They were the first name in motocross on two wheels.
Southern California in the 1960s and 70s was a breeding ground for speed culture with surfboards on the beach, dragsters at Lions, and mini-bikes ripping through dusty lots. Right in the middle of it all was Steen’s, a company that helped define what it meant to go fast and have fun.
From the legendary Frijole Mini-Bike to wild creations like the Pole-Cat kart, Steen’s turned everyday garages into launchpads for adrenaline. These weren’t just machines; they were entry tickets into a lifestyle of freedom, grit, and a little bit of rebellion.
What set Steen’s apart was its attitude. While other brands leaned on polish and perfection, Steen’s embraced its skunk mascot, a symbol of scrappy determination and mischievous spirit. Steen’s gear wasn’t about looking fancy; it was about getting dirty, racing hard, and laughing with your friends along the way.
Today, Steen’s lives on as a symbol of that golden age of SoCal speed. Enthusiasts still restore their mini-bikes and karts, wear the logos proudly, and pass down the stories to new generations.
Because at the end of the day, Steen’s wasn’t just selling machines. Steen’s was selling freedom on wheels.
When Steen’s was pushing boundaries in the 1960s, they weren’t just making mini-bikes, they were also taking karting to the next level. Enter the Steen’s Pole-Cat, a machine that looked small but packed a serious punch.
The Pole-Cat wasn’t your average go-kart. With its beefy frame, twin-engine setup, and raw design, it was built to do one thing: go fast. Steen’s brought the same rebellious, innovative spirit that made the Frijole mini-bike famous into the karting world, giving adrenaline-hungry riders a new way to test their limits.
Much like Steen’s other creations, the Pole-Cat became more than just a machine; it was a statement. It embodied Southern California’s golden age of speed culture, where garages doubled as workshops, and young riders were willing to push anything with wheels to the edge.
Today, the Pole-Cat stands as a reminder of a fearless era, when ingenuity and passion meant more than polish and perfection. Strapping into one wasn’t just about racing; it was about joining a movement that celebrated grit, freedom, and the thrill of speed.
Because when Steen’s built the Pole-Cat, they weren’t just making a kart - they were making history at full throttle.
In the 1960s, Southern California was the birthplace of surf, skate, and moto culture. Right in the middle of it all was Steen’s, a small company with a big idea. Their creation, the Frijole Mini-Bike, became one of the most iconic machines of the mini-bike craze.
Unlike the clunky, backyard-built minis of the time, the Frijole was purpose-built, sturdy, and stylish. Its compact frame could handle real horsepower, turning what was once just a kid’s toy into a legitimate little racer. For a generation of young riders, Steen’s bikes were a first taste of freedom and speed, accessible, fun, and just rebellious enough to make parents nervous.
And then there was the skunk mascot - cheeky, mischievous, and unforgettable. Steen’s embraced the idea that riding wasn’t just about performance; it was about attitude. The skunk became a badge of honor, symbolizing grit, humor, and the scrappy underdog spirit that defined the brand.
Today, original Frijole frames are prized collectors’ items, with enthusiasts restoring them to keep the legacy alive. For many, seeing that Steen’s logo instantly sparks memories of dusty lots, scraped knees, and the thrill of twisting a throttle for the very first time.
More than just a mini-bike, Steen’s built a culture - one that still makes riders smile decades later.
Because in the world of motorcycles, some legends aren’t the biggest - they’re just the most unforgettable.
In the world of two wheels, some legends come in pint-sized packages. Enter the Frijole Mini-Bike, built by Steen’s in Southern California in the mid-1960s. What started as a small shop with big ideas ended up shaping the mini-bike craze that swept across America.
The Frijole, Spanish for “bean”, wasn’t just a fun backyard toy. It was a serious little machine with a sturdy frame, compact design, and the ability to handle real engines. Unlike the clunky, cobbled-together minis of the era, Steen’s delivered a professionally built bike that riders could customize, race, and actually depend on.
For kids and teens in the ‘60s and ‘70s, the Frijole was freedom on two wheels. It meant you didn’t have to wait to grow up to feel the thrill of riding; you just had to kickstart it and hang on. These bikes tore through empty lots, dirt trails, and even early mini-bike races, carving their place in moto culture.
And then there was the Steen’s skunk mascot, a cheeky symbol of grit and mischief that became as iconic as the bikes themselves. Steen’s wasn’t about being polished or proper; it was about getting dirty, going fast, and having a blast.
Today, original Frijole frames are collector’s items, and the name still sparks nostalgia for anyone who grew up in the golden age of SoCal mini-bike culture. Steen’s proved that size doesn’t matter - heart, hustle, and a little skunk attitude do.
Before stadium lights and corporate sponsors, Southern California had the Lions Drag Strip, a gritty, roaring slice of motorsport history that ran from 1955 to 1972 in Wilmington, near Long Beach.
Back then, Friday and Saturday nights weren’t about Netflix; they were about nitro. Fans crowded the stands, the smell of burnt rubber filled the air, and some of the fastest quarter mile runs in history were laid down on that strip of asphalt. It wasn’t just a racetrack; it was a proving ground for legends.
Drag racing icons like Don “The Snake” Prudhomme, “Big Daddy” Don Garlits, and Shirley “Cha Cha” Muldowney all thundered down Lions. It became known as the “Beach” of drag racing, a place where horsepower and heart settled scores.
But what made Lions truly special was its community. It was run by local car clubs and volunteers, with proceeds going to the Lions Club charities. For racers and fans alike, it wasn’t about big money; it was about passion, pride, and speed.
Though Lions closed in 1972, its legacy is still alive. Old photos, race posters, and vintage tees keep the spirit burning. For those who were there, it was more than drag racing; it was raw Americana, wide open at full throttle.
So when you throw on a Lions Drag Strip tee, you’re not just wearing a shirt; you’re wearing a piece of history that once shook Southern California to its core.
