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Should I get WIRE WHEELS for my buyeye...

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msoylemez

msoylemez

Jedi Trainee
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Hello all:

I am in the process or restoring my 58 bugeye, and I have yet to decide whether or not I am going to get wire wheels for my little baby. My opinion changes just about every day, for all of the reasons you may expect.

PRO: I think they look great

CON: Maintenance, maintenance, maintenance. From what I have heard, they are a complete pain to maintain.

**I know they are pricey, as well, but at this point, that is secondary to me.

A little about me:

--1) I will not be racing, 2) I am not crazy about the look of panasport wheels, or the traditional steel wheels either. I don't really know of any other options--but would love to. 3) I don't mind a little elbow grease, and I live near a British car specialist but I can not and will not endure monthly/weekly/daily (gasp) retooling, tightening, spline replacing, blah, blah, blah for the wheels. Can't handle more than once in a while (every 4-6 months) upkeep-(not including checking the air in the tires, of course).

I know, I know, you say I should not be driving a British car if I am not willing to put up with a little maintenance...I know that. However, I don't want to get wire wheels if the maintenance for the wheels alone is going to comprise [name large percentage here] of the total amount of time I spend maintaining the car overall.

I would really love for someone to be able to say: "hey, it's not as bad as you think or what other people may have told you" or "dude, you are dreaming if you think you won't have to screw with them every time you drive the car".

Thank you to the community in advance.

Pics of the restoration to come!

Mustafa
 
[ QUOTE ]

"hey, "Dude", it's not as bad as you think or what other people may have told you" you won't have to screw with them every time you drive the car". Particularly when they are used on a lighter car such as yours.---Fwiw---Keoke /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif







[/ QUOTE ]
 
Hey, it's not as bad as you think or what other people may have told you.

Some prep, some care, some common sense and a maybe pressure washer and they are really not a lot of trouble.
 
Not as much trouble as you have been told.
And the new ones available today are even less of a headache.
I have a Healey with wires now only because it came with them but I am not a fan of wires.
 
From my experience, if you start with good wheels & splines, the only maintenance is washing them with a brush, & lightly greasing the splines & knockoffs every 6 months. If you start with worn or defective parts, the problems will be never ending.
D
 
Thank you to everyone who responded! I am glad to hear that they are not too bad overall.

Does anyone have a strong recommendation as to 1) what brand/model, 2) how many spokes, 3) painted or chrome and 4) where I should get them? (I have heard Moss, Dunlop (same thing?), Hendrix...I'm sure there are many more. Any clear winners?).

Thank you again!

Mustafa
 
I am heavily biased toward Hendrix WW.
https://www.hendrixwirewheel.com/wheels.html
For the very best quality get the Dayton #458 60 spoke wheels. If you also get one of the Kuhmo tire sets, Hendrix will mount, shave the tires to perfectly round, & balance them. All you have to do is bolt on a perfect set of wheels & tires. Painted or chrome is a personal & economic choice tht you will have to make.
D
 
Wire wheels are a great addition to a Bugeye. I've added
them to the Bugeye I'm restoring. Do you realize that
there's quite a bit involved in making the conversion?
Briefly, I had to take the front spindles/disc brake
assemblies off of a MkII Midget (I wanted the disc brakes
as well), and the rear axel shafts/brakes as well.
Of course my donor Midget had wire wheels. With this
setup I discovered two problems: since I used the Bugeye
axel housing with the later brakes/axel shafts, I had to
shim the bearings out to keep the brake drum from rubbing
on the backing plates.
Also, the rear wheels now stick out 1" further than
the disc wheel setup. Not a big deal, just be aware of it.
And yes, the wire wheels look great! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
Also, the rear wheels now stick out 1" further than
the disc wheel setup.

[/ QUOTE ]
That's because you should use a wire wheel axle case and half shafts...rarer than the steel wheel version, and hence more expensive, if you can find one.
Personally, I'd stick to steel wheels, as I think they look right on a Frog.
 
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