steering wheel selection

[BobHorvath]

I have a 65 BJ8 with a stock wheel. My wife knows that a girlfriend (40 years ago) bought me a wooden wheel for my then 100-6. My wife says that I now need a new wheel on the 65 for Fathers Day. I have seen 15" -14" & 13" (all dished or not) I am 5'11" tall with a fairly long reach. What are your collective thoughts?

 

[Ed_K]

Bob,
I bought one of those tourist trophy wheels for my 65. The one with the thickest wood and I really like it.
Ed K
/bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/driving.gif

 

[Bob McElwee]

If you plan on doing any long trip driving, I would highly recommend the thicker wood wheels. There is a world of difference in how your hands feel at the end of the day.

 

[Editor_Reid]

My wife says that I now need a new wheel on the 65 for Fathers Day. I have seen 15" -14" & 13" (all dished or not) I am 5'11" tall with a fairly long reach. What are your collective thoughts?

Wheel diameter is but one of the characteristics of a steering wheel. A slightly smallish diameter wheel, in a slightly larger section, is probably a good idea, but I wouldn't stray too far from original as it begins to change the character of the cockpit too much.

In any case, I recommend that you peruse Mike Lempert's website, where many a delight for the eyes awaits...

Mike Lempert's Steering Wheels

By the way, Mike is a Healey guy. You'll enjoy talking with him. Good luck making up your mind on which of the near endless list of possibilities to buy. I have one of his wheels, custom made to my specs, and it is a work of art!

 

[GregW]

Hi Bob,
As the diameter of the wheel gets smaller, steering effort increases. How much, I could not say.

 

[Patton]

Mike Lempert's Steering Wheels

Mike is working on a 15.5" Gerow six hole 120° Spoke Wheel in Afromosia.

Picture this wheel
https://www.pbase.com/mdlempert/image/65111159

with this wood
https://www.pbase.com/image/74475751

The Healey and I are very excited.

Patton

 

[SHG]

It seems it's always a trade-off between originality and modern conveniences. I have an old moto-lita wheel and think it makes a huge difference in the appearance of the cockpit. The diameter is huge, but it is what it's supposed to be. I'm not too tall, so it doesn't present any problems for me.

But if we start changing all the little details to suit modern technology, reliability, comfort (cupholders fall into this category) etc., then it's no longer a Healey. I believe you've got to suffer a little for art. Go with a wheel that at least looks original.

 

[zblu]

bob
I would second ed k on the thickness while at the same time try to maintain some semblance to originality

 

[healeynut]

Scott / Patton -

Patton's choice for steering wheel is very original, in fact is a rough approximation of the steering wheels that came from the factory on the 100S.

I have a 16" version of the wheel on my BJ8 and love it.

I'm not a fan of any steering wheel less than 15.5" as then the rim of the wheel will obstruct the water temp/oil pressure guage.

 

[dlamb43]

What size was the original wheel on a BJ8? My MotoLita feels too small and stiff! Cheers, Actor 430

 

[Dave Richards]

Sixteen and one half-inches (16 1/2") I think most of the MotoLita wheels are about fifteen inches.

I added a black leather "wheelskin" over the winter. I used a "baseball" stitch and I'm very pleased with the finished product. The wheel had a brown cover on it from the original owner and it really stood out! because it's so proportionately large. But, the black makes the wheel fit in better visually and the leather feels nice. I also like the 'thin'ness of the original wheel and the leather gives it a good grip.

 

[Dave Richards]

Hey, dlamb43, I just saw your location, hope to see you at some New York events! And, welcome to the forum!

 

[Patton]

I just got my new Lempert steering wheel today. It looks VERY NICE.

Here are the pics

https://picasaweb.google.com/57Healey/NewLempertSteeringWheel

 

[John Loftus]

Wow .. looks great! Them Lempert fellows do nice work!

 

[healeynut]

shore is perty!!!

/bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/bow.gif

 

[Dave Richards]

That's beautiful, what's the diameter?

 

[Patton]

It's a 15.5. Like Alan said it doesn't obscure the gauges.

You can see in the pictures I sprang for Mike's adjustable adapter, which is a work of art itself.

 

[BobHorvath]

Patton Looks great How much was it?
Bob

 

[Patton]

Email Mike, mike@lempertgroup.com as it varies by the wood you select. I was the first to use Afromosia, so I don't know if he has worked up a final price yet.

Then I got his adapter, which costs more than the one from Moss, but is SOOOO much nicer. It was $225 and included the adjustable nut plus all other hardware and was mounted on the wheel when I got it.

Very Happy.

Patton