Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

MikeG · Posted: Thu Oct 03, 2013 10:27 am Post subject: wheel Restoration

I will soon need to refurbish the wheels of my 1936 Triumph Gloria.
Has anyone used and can recommend a supplier with in the Cheshire,North Staffs,Derbyshire,Manchester area.
I have not ruled out having a go myself.It will all dapend on costs.
Hoping for help.
Mike.

peter scott · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 7118 Location: Edinburgh

Hi Mike,

Can't help with a rebuilder recommendation but can offer advice for what it's worth..

http://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk/New%20page%2020.htm

Peter
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http://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk
1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon

Penman · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4756 Location: Swindon, Wilts.

Hi
I wonder if motorcycle workshops still have people with experience of rebuilding wheels.
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peter scott · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 7118 Location: Edinburgh

The problem with motorcycle wheel rebuilders is the lack of suitable hubbing. This could be overcome by lending them a stub axle and splined hub.

Peter
_________________
http://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk
1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon

MikeG · Posted: Thu Oct 03, 2013 6:20 pm Post subject:

Thank you both for replys.
I will continue to look for a refubisher within a few hours drive. I have found one in Stoke on Trent who works on modern wheels( yet to phone him).

If I have to work on them myself, where do I find spokes?.

Thanks for the link to your Web Site Peter, very interresting. When I have time I will compare the performance of the Gloria 10.8 Coventry Climax Overhead Inlet Side Exhaust engine against your Charts.

The only two links I have to Jags, is Helping my Father weld up spring hanger fixing points to 1960s Cars. Which had what he refered to as Ducks Decease.(Down at the back)
I also think that I have a couple of SS Head Lights some were.

Thanks again for your Help
Mike

peter scott · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 7118 Location: Edinburgh

Hi Mike,

If you do decide to DIY then I can recommend:

James Wheildon

(spoke and rim supplier)

Workshop 01722 712701
other times 01722 712967

Peter
_________________
http://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk
1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon

ka · Joined: 03 Dec 2007 Posts: 600 Location: Orkney.

There are two wheel builders in Leicester, both used to Morgan.
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KA

Better three than four.

MikeG · Posted: Fri Oct 04, 2013 8:43 am Post subject:

Thanks Ka,I Will try to find them.
If you can find a name or contact details I would be greatful
Thanks
Mike

Jim.Walker · Joined: 27 Dec 2008 Posts: 1229 Location: Chesterfield

Spoked wheel building is more a test of patience than skill!
The main problems are some means of mounting the wheel centre on a suitable hub so it can be rotated on a bench and getting the "lacing" right.
Photos of the old wheel solve the lacing problem.
I cannot help with suggestions for mounting the hub so it will rotate freely and without "rocking".
For the truth of the wheel a Dial Test Indicator is best, but a fixed pointer and feeler gauge will serve with care.

Dismayed at the cost of a couple of motorbike wheel replacements I decided to have a go.
I took photos and got on with it!
It was ridiculously easy, in spite of the doom and gloom predicted.
The patience was needed to get consistent spoke tension (checked by tone with a screwdriver while spinning the wheel) without pulling the rim out of true.
All this was a couple of years and thousands of miles ago.
Somehow, I think car wheels, being less fragile, would actually be easier.
Jim.
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Quote from my late Dad:- You only need a woman and a car and you have all the problems you
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MikeG · Posted: Sat Oct 05, 2013 9:10 am Post subject:

Thanks Jim
I think that I can make a rig using an oid male splined shaft and bearings and use a Clock Gauge.
I will keep looking for repair shop before resorting toDIY
Thanks again
Mike
PS was walking in Chesterfield/Baslow area yesterday. Good walk but wet!
M

Miken · Joined: 24 Dec 2012 Posts: 544

I recently rang up my local wheelbuilder who has been doing wheels for decades, to enquire about purchasing the spokes and nippples to do the wheels on my 1933 Morris.
I was asking if I should get bare metal spokes, plated nipples, bare nipples, how to paint them when he stopped me and asked me 2 questions. 1 Are the wheels still round, 2 are they sound? The answer to both these questions was yes and so he advised me to get them shotblasted and powder coated.
I thanked him for talking himself out of a job and now plan to do as he advises.

Jim.Walker · Joined: 27 Dec 2008 Posts: 1229 Location: Chesterfield

Actually very good advice I think.
There were lots of wire wheels still around when I started in the motor trade.
I do not remember anyone re-building wire wheels except the Concourse boys with rusty chrome wheels.
Most were painted anyway, Even Rolls Royce painted them and then hid them behind massive and stylish wheel discs.
My foray into motorbike wheel building was only inspired by the virtual non-availability of suitable 17" tyres and deteriorating chrome.
They were rebuilt on the same (painted hubs) to take 18" tyres. And now 18" are getting d****d difficult to source! Crying or Very sad

And the bike does not have enough clearance for 19"anyway.
Maintenance of classic bikes has it head-aches too!
Jim.
_________________
Quote from my late Dad:- You only need a woman and a car and you have all the problems you
are ever likely to want". Computers had not been invented then!

badhuis · Joined: 20 Aug 2008 Posts: 1390 Location: Netherlands

There is one specialist here in Holland who makes big money being the only one who still build wire wheels.
A year ago he renewed the spokes of three Borrani wheels, from a Ferrari 330 GT from a client. He used stainless steel spokes, the bill was 1800 euros.
I agree with the others here - I do not think it requires a lifetime skill, just patience.

He sold me a batch of new spokes a few years ago and I have used them to repair broken spokes for my Jaguar 420. I did not want to buy new chrome wire wheels (still do not).
Once I knew I had at least one or two broken spokes on a wheel but thought I could repair them later. On a motorway journey when travelling at speed (60 mph) I heard a strange noise and stopped. I then discovered almost a third of the 72 spokes had broken!!! If I would have driven a bit longer I would have lost the wheel and who knows what would have happened.
Now I make sure no spokes are broken each time before I make a long journey. Just "ring" a screwdriver along all spokes - should make the same sound.

ukdave2002 · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4104 Location: South Cheshire

Hi Mike

I made a wooden jig to rebuild some MGA wire spoke wheels, as Jim states its more of a technique rather than a dark art skill to sort the spokes out.

To make the jig I basically used a router and a bit of MDF;. a pin in the middle of the mdf and a couple of lengths of string attached to the router and the pin to cut the hub location and the rim location.

I"m in Nantwich if you want some help.

Dave

ukdave2002 · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4104 Location: South Cheshire

Hi Mike

I made a wooden jig to rebuild some MGA wire spoke wheels, as Jim states its more of a technique rather than a dark art skill to sort the spokes out.

To make the jig I basically used a router and a bit of MDF;. a pin in the middle of the mdf and a couple of lengths of string attached to the router and the pin to cut the hub location and the rim location.

I"m in Nantwich if you want some help.

Dave