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General TR Wire Wheel New Tire Installation Question

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SteveBones

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I have a question to ask on where to go to get new tires installed on my wire wheels for my TR4.

Ideally I would like to find a place close to where I live to install. I plan on ordering the tires from Coker tires along with inner tubes. Also, I will not need to have the wire wheels rebuilt as they are in good condition.

If you know a place in the San Francisco Bay Area that can handle this would be ideal. If you can help to educate me on what equipment is needed to install tires and tubes on wire wheels, this would also be much appreciated. I want to understand this so I can confirm that the shop actually does have the required equipment.

Thanks for your help.
 
Installing the tires is easy, all they need is the tire machine that grabs the rim instead of the center of the wheel. Most shops have those these days (even Walmart), as they are also used for various types of "mag" wheels.

The tricky part is balancing them. Moss has a brief tech article with the whys & wherefores. (ISTR that Hendrix used to have a similar page but can't seem to find it at the moment.)
https://www.mossmotors.com/SiteGraphics/Pages/balance_wire_wheels.html

Sorry, no help on someone in your area. I went to Valley Wire Wheel Service in Van Nuys, but I'm sure there is someone closer to you.
 
Thanks Randall - extremely helpful.

TR3driver said:
Installing the tires is easy, all they need is the tire machine that grabs the rim instead of the center of the wheel. Most shops have those these days (even Walmart), as they are also used for various types of "mag" wheels.

The tricky part is balancing them. Moss has a brief tech article with the whys & wherefores. (ISTR that Hendrix used to have a similar page but can't seem to find it at the moment.)
https://www.mossmotors.com/SiteGraphics/Pages/balance_wire_wheels.html

Sorry, no help on someone in your area. I went to Valley Wire Wheel Service in Van Nuys, but I'm sure there is someone closer to you.
Click to expand...
 
The shop that I worked at in the early 60s had a machine that would not do wire wheels so we (usually me) did them with tire irons. Pretty easy actually although occasionally hard to break the bead on the old tires. We had a big dead blow hammer for that, as I recall. Also balanced them with a bubble balancer. I'm much too lazy (old) for that sort of thing now but still like the idea of diy.
Tom
 
I still do mine at home using a Harbor Freight tire changer and bubble balancer. Wouldn't want it for a full-time job but my energy level is about right for doing 4 or 5 - then that's enough for another year or two.
 
Rut, Tom, Geo,

Thanks for the suggestions. I have to be honest, I am a DIY person when it comes to working one my TR's but have not considered taking this on myself. I might prefer to take the easy way out and find someone that can do this.

Thanks,
 
I made a spin balancer adapter out of an old MGTF hub. I machined the hub to fit snugly on the spin balancer shaft. I used a TF hub because its center hole is small enough to allow it to be opened up enough using a lathe to fit the spin balancer shaft. It allows a wire wheel to fit the balancer and the proper bevels on the wire wheel. I have loaned it out to our club members many times and it looks like most spin balancers have the same shaft size. Have a good day!

John
 
I was recommended to go to Rite Way Wire & Wheel in Walnut Creek. They are experts in wire wheel install and balancing or any work needed. He did mine and they are perfect. There is usually a Ferrari or some other exotic car there. It is a little drive for you but I think it is worth it.
925-933-4046
1119 Alpine Rd. Walnut Creek
 
Dan,

Thanks for the suggestion regarding Rite Way Wire & Wheel in Walnut Creek. It would be about an hour away if I can be flexible on when I go there. I will check them out.

Steve

tinman58 said:
I was recommended to go to Rite Way Wire & Wheel in Walnut Creek. They are experts in wire wheel install and balancing or any work needed. He did mine and they are perfect. There is usually a Ferrari or some other exotic car there. It is a little drive for you but I think it is worth it.
925-933-4046
1119 Alpine Rd. Walnut Creek
Click to expand...
 
Steve
They are the best. Even the Austin Healy guys go there.
 
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