-----Original Message-----
From: Iam MacLeod <canada@voyageronline.net>
To: triumphs@autox.team.net <triumphs@autox.team.net>
Date: Friday, December 29, 2000 10:46 AM
Subject: TR6 wire wheels
>
>Happy New Year, Listers
>
>I'm considering wheels for my '76 TR6. i know Panasports are the best for
>flat out performance and i haven't completely ruled them out; but i really
>like the look of wires better.
>
There is a middle ground. It uses the "Rudge" spline like the wire wheels,
and it looks "period) but it ain't cheap. There is a replica of the old
Minilite center-lock racing wheel. I believe "Minator" wheels are made in
the UK by "KN Alloys" or some such outfit. As I recall, BMC used the
original Minilite center-locks for rallying. The Minator wheels for TRs
cost about 300 bucks each in the USA from Vicky Brit and are 15 x 5.5
inches. You get to use your original knock-off cap and can swap back to the
wires without changing your splines. They are more solid than the wire
wheels, and you don't need inner tubes.
>kastner's book says wires have "nothing to offer" for competition because
>they're heavier and not as strong. i don't race the car, but i live on a
>mountain road, have substantially beefed up the suspension and am inclined
>to "push it a bit." my questions:
>
>--any guesses as to whether Kastner was writing about modern 72-spoke
wheels
>or whatever was available in 1968?
>
>--are wires THAT much heavier than alloys or original steel wheels?
Yes.
>
>--are wires unsafe if i "push it"?
How hard, how often, how sticky a tire?
>--the big three offer Dayton & Dunlop wires; is there a quality difference?
I have heard that Daytons are better. Don't have an experienced opinion.
>
>--any other brands worth considering?
>
>--Dunlop offers a 70-spoke "center laced" wheel which they say is "very
>strong." has anyone tried these and are they any stronger?
Dunno. Still need inner tubes and I don't know that they are much cheaper
than the alloys.
Now MY question. Does anyone else make "Rudge" knockoff alloys besides the
Minator? Panasport makes a center-lock wheel for Lotus, but those don't use
a spline. The centers are plain bored and the wheel is driven by five pins
on the hub which fit into five small holes in the wheel.
Phil Ethier Saint Paul Minnesota USA
1970 Lotus Europa, 1992 Saturn SL2, 1986 Suburban, 1962 Triumph TR4 CT2846L
LOON, MAC pethier@isd.net http://www.mnautox.com/
"It makes a nice noise when it goes faster"
- 4-year-old Adam, upon seeing a bitmap of Grandma Susie's TR4.
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