Custom Steering Wheel

[Patrick67BJ8]

Looking for help/info finding a custom wood steering wheel for my BJ8. A while back I thought I saw a wood steering wheel that was advertised as being thicker wood than stock and smaller diameter, 15 1/2", and also used the original spokes from the stock wheel/hub to make it? Was I dreaming??

I have a guy who said he will make a wheel like that for me but does NOT use a steel rim so it's just the wood and end of the spokes sorta glued together. I'm not 100% sure about safety of a wheel made that way!

Thanks,

 

[CLEAH]

Moss has a wood rimmed wheel with a thicker rim than their other ones. 1 inch thick rim. It is Part 489-090.

But I just re-read your post. No, this does not have the original spokes. Just a thicker rim.

 

[healeyblue]

Heres one I got in a pile of parts made from an original. It is definitely smaller. Not sure if this is what you mean.
JIM

 

[BigGreen]

Without an airbag I would not mind so much about that sort of extra safety ;-/

 

[Patrick67BJ8]

Heres one I got in a pile of parts made from an original. It is definitely smaller. Not sure if this is what you mean.
JIM

Very close except it being very small. Maybe a good Sprite application?

 

[Patrick67BJ8]

Without an airbag I would not mind so much about that sort of extra safety ;-/

Yeah, you're probably right. I might as well go for the looks.

 

[TomFromStLouis]

If the maker used original spokes then he must have cut the original wire circle that was attached to get a smaller diameter wheel. Not sure how those spokes attach to the wood wheel, although I suppose if the rim stays intact it would difficult to remove the two from each other. Why would you want a smaller diameter anyway? Without power steering I find diameter desirable.

 

[Randy Forbes]

I bet Mike Lempert could make you the steering wheel of your dreams.

https://www.pbase.com/mdlempert/special

This one happens to be a TR3 wheel, but similar in construction to the Healey:

 

[Patrick67BJ8]

If the maker used original spokes then he must have cut the original wire circle that was attached to get a smaller diameter wheel. Not sure how those spokes attach to the wood wheel, although I suppose if the rim stays intact it would difficult to remove the two from each other. Why would you want a smaller diameter anyway? Without power steering I find diameter desirable.

I also have the new torrington bearing for the top of the kingpins so steering is supposed to be easier.

 

[judow]

Get together with Mike Lempert. He did Agatha's steering wheel and she and I were more than happy - still are and I think it's been about 6+ years. Agatha is a top-down driver and the wheel has taken all kinds of abuse.

 

[Patrick67BJ8]

Get together with Mike Lempert. He did Agatha's steering wheel and she and I were more than happy - still are and I think it's been about 6+ years. Agatha is a top-down driver and the wheel has taken all kinds of abuse.

I'll send Mike an email. Thanks!

 

[longbridgehealey]

Mike made our wheel, and it gets noticed at all the shows we attend. Couldn't be happier!!