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Wire wheel questions

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dodgedartgt

Freshman Member
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Posted this on the Triumph forum, decided to ask on here as well. I have a couple of wire wheel questions hope you can answer. It has been fully 30 years since I last drove on LBC wire wheels.

I am in the process of collecting parts for a "cruiser" Locost 7 build with a "vintage aire" look about it. As such, I'm using the front uprights with splined hubs, rack, rear axle and 14" wire wheels from '66 MGB donor as the basis of the build.

I haven't fully decided yet, but I am thinking I would like the option of running 15" wires in the rear.

Is my (unconfirmed) understanding correct that the Triumphs used the same splined hub size (62mm I think) as the MGB's? Also, I know the older cars had 48 spokes and the newer like TR6 are 72 spoke. Were there 60 spoke wheels somewhere in there that would match my 14"'s? What models and years?

I don't yet know if the MGB axle width (between the tires distance) will allow me to build as wide a frame as I would like. I haven't had a chance to mock it up yet.

Since the Triumphs use the bolt-on splined hub, IF it is the same size as the MG hub, I can always use another rear axle with the same 4 x 4-1/2" bolt pattern and either the 14's or 15's.

Also, I have found a full set of hubs and knock-offs from a Spitfire, are they the same hub size as well? I know they have the smaller bolt pattern circle, but I think I could modify them as needed.

Who has the answers, please??? Oh, and does anyone have the parts?

Thnx in advance,
Mike Bynum
SW FL
 
I'm trying to figure out what the question is....the MGB wire wheel will fit under a LOCOST....you can use either 14" or 15" wire wheels on the MGB wire wheel hubs.

I'm trying to remember but I think if you use the wider steel wheel rear end & bolt-on wire hubs, your rear end will be too wide for your LOCOST.
 
Thnx Tony,

The question was whether 15" Triumph sourced wires will fit the MG hubs. Also, since my MG wires are 60 spoke, whether there are 60 spoke 15's (for asthetic reasons), and what models/years to source from, or just 72 spokers?

There are a number of Locost frame plan and width variations. I want a wider frame and I already have an MG wire wheel rear axle (read narrow). I do understand that the MG steel wheel axle is wider than the wire wheel axle, great if I use the bolt on hubs.

But, with the low gearing of the tranny I currently have available to use, I need a numerically lower ratio than an MG's 3.91.

Anyhow, thanks for the answer,
Mike
 
All MG and Triumph splines are the same size and type. Wheels are all interchangeable between them as far as that is concerned.

The difference between axle widths is about 1.5-2" but this is made up for by wheel offset. The track on both wire and bolt-on wheeled MGBs is exactly the same.
 
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