Wheels out-of shape (don't spin evenly)

[Kameron M]

Hello all:

My wheels are in rather-okay cosmetic shape, at least from an outside look, but they are all awfully out-of-shape. When you spin them, they weeble-wobble by up to 1/2 in. My rims and spokes are painted. I want to have them media blasted when I do the bodywork, but alas that is more for another day.

I've read some about restoring wheels, and most that I have read talk about replacing every spoke during the rebuild. I would rather not do that, if the wheels can be trued.

I live in the Cleveland Area. Any ideas of who might be able to do this?

[Marv]

Kam. Stop in at your local Motorcycle shop. Any shop that has full services and does British Bikes can true your wheels up and tell you if you need new spokes. Tires off, bead blasted and cleaned before you go. But you can search one out before hand.

Cheers,,
Marv TC5141

[Kameron M]

I'll see about giving them a call, thanks.

[Steve Simmons]

If the spokes are original, you will probably break several of them during the truing process. If that's the case then it isn't a bad idea to re-lace with new spokes and nipples. I put heavy duty spokes in my wheels because I drive the heck out of the car. Despite that, Mike Sherrell still managed to break one while driving my car (rather briskly) through the local canyons!

[stephen stierman]

If you cannot find anyone to do this, you can give it a try yourself, since you are a college student and trying to save money. Set them up one at a time on a front hub, brakes off and come up with a reference point against the side of the rim as you spin the wheel. the This is just like truing bicycle wheels and I am sure there is a guide or direction on the web as a how to. Basically if you are trying to pull the rim into true in a certain direction you will tighten the spokes a bit on that side of the rim. If you are lucky the nuts will move after soaking in penetrant or heating them if needed. Get a spoke wrench if you can. You will never get them perfect, an 1/8" would be nice. There is also a high point on the rime where it is made and welded together at a seam and this is not going to change. Steve

[Duncan M]

Truing stand I made from an old stub axke, which also worked nicely to paint the wheels right after I sand blasted them.

[Kameron M]

If I want to purchase new spokes for the 19 inch rims- without getting a complete spoke kit: just if I break any, where can I go to get that? I haven't seen them available in small quantities anywhere I have looked.

Another MG owner offered a set of good wheels that had been in storage for many years, at $125/wheel. If these are in fact round- and not requiring any service at all, would this be realistically cheaper than the DIY approach?

[cdrolshagen]

Moss in Europe sales singel spokes - short,long and nipples,
Carl

[Marv]

Ask Steve Simmons, I think I once read where he purchased his spokes I California.....

Buchanan's Spoke & Rim, Inc.
805 W. Eighth Street
Azusa, California 91702

Tel: (626) 969-4655


Marv

[stephen stierman]

Moss US shows them, I am sure Doug Pelton (From the Frame Up) has them and probably Abingdon Spares. Are you looking at specifically TC suppliers?

[Steve Simmons]

Marv is correct, Buchanan is where I get all my spokes. You can buy them from Moss but you'll pay more. The only downside of Buchanan is that their spoke nipples are larger and longer than stock. This makes them a bit stronger but if you're after 100% originality then you may want to get the nipples elsewhere.

[Marv]

Steve:
Did you have to drill out the hub to accommodate the larger nipples, me thinks the answer is yes! Have you got Buchanan part numbers handy or will they know when asked. Approx what was the cost in their hardware per wheel? Thanks....

Marv

[Steve Simmons]

The nipples fit into the rim with no modification. The head is a bit more beefy and length is longer, including wrench flats. They aren't massive, but are larger than stock.

I've seen TC hubs with two different size spoke holes in the hub. Based on past experience, Moss spokes do not fit the smaller variety. That may have changed in recent years, I don't know.

Last time I ordered, Buchanan didn't stock TC spokes so they were made custom. Unfortunately custom spokes cost more, but were still cheaper than Moss and others. I had to supply a sample of each size for them to measure gauge, length, head bend, etc. Hopefully they retained that information and will have it on file if you call. I got enough spokes and nipples for five wheels and my cost out the door was just over $300 as I recall. Prices are on their web site.

http://www.buchananspokes.com/

[Marv]

Cheap enough for a complete restring on 5 wheels. I looked on their website and nothing pops off the page at me but I will call and see if they have records and saved data from yours and (others)? purchased for TC application.

It's either that or I'm sorta' seriously looking at the current offering on eBay for a new set of 5 MWS (UK manufacturer) painted wheels mounted with 5 Dunlop tires all date coded late 2012 vintage (never been on the ground) and Michelin inner tubes and rim bands. I need new tires and my wheels need some attention for truing. He's got the set listed for opening bid of $2,000 which is a deal, says he's got close to $4,000 in them. I know the MWS painted wheels from the UK are list at $251.00 each before shipping. The Dunlop tires and Michelin tubes/rim seals are another $200 each per tire. Plus mounting and balancing of a nominal amount. It's easy to see $3,000 - $3,300 for sure. Making my grey matter itch!

Marv TC5141