Does anyone have suggestions of where to find similar wire wheels to these? My preference will be 34-36 by 3-4 inch tires.
Second, are these coil springs? If so, are they used to stabilize or limit travel? This 1905/1906 Ford racer has front half elliptical springs too.
Oh Oh Rob is trying to build a Speedster replica with his spare engine. Go for it Rob.
Those look like Hasslers to me. Were they available back then?
John McLaren might have a suggestion about wheels.
Hubs and spokes are pretty generic.
Rims might be tougher.
Dave,
The more I think about it (this could be bad ) the more I think a T frame with trussing (to look like the original) will work. We are using a "standard" 400 cubic inch K engine, whereas the Ford racer had a 1100+ cu. in. engine.
The wheels may be a problem?
Rob
Bob,
I left a message with John this morning. Thanks,
Rob
I would imagine that the wheels will have to be made. I would think McLaren could do it. I was considering making some myself a few years ago for a potential project. Then I bought a much more worthwhile project and tossed those ideas aside for awhile.
Terry H posted here a few years ago about re-spoking the wheels for his MG. I think I or any creative re-constructor could make wheels very close to these without too much trouble (a good friend of mine years ago made a set for a model T out of MG hubs and T clincher rims). Old motorcycle hubs would be more correct for what you want because these should not be demountable. You would probably need to drill a lot of holes and double the number of spokes. Motorcycle front hubs could be made to mount directly onto axle-driven hubs for the rear.
Rims are a much bigger problem. Model T clincher rims can be cut, stretched, and added to to make larger clincher sizes IF you can get clincher tires in a larger size anymore. I know that they used to be available. But I think they may not be anymore. Unfortunately, nobody wants to make or fool with the old style two and three part split rims that were common in those days. The high pressure in those small tires make any funny stuff potentially very dangerous. There are some ways rims could be made. However I don't know that I could recommend it.
Perhaps a slight drop-center would not look too bad?
Drive carefully, and enjoy, W2
All the older Rudge Whitworths had removable outer hub rings with outer spoke holes in them. These MC looking hubs could be two outer rings pressed on to a short piece of tubing that accommodated the wheel bearings
Drilling spoke holes in photo
Universal offers some good sized clinchers as bare rims
https://www.universaltire.com/vintage-rims/clincher-rims/36-x-3-1-2-37-x-4-clinc her-rim.html
Plain bearing aviation hubs were still state-of-the-art in this 1938 pub.
Makes for nice slim motorcycle type hubs that are the same size front and back
Flanged bushings for side loads
These are teens era aftermarket rebound shocks that clamp to the frame and a strap around the axle. maybe same idea.
Thanks John, good idea. We need to determine what rear end we are using, then figure out hubs. So far, we have the engine, driveshaft, three speed transaxle, clutch and a couple frame choices.
This week I hope to have the exhaust and intake manifolds started. The radiator is done (rebuilt an extra K rad). Still need to figure out a front axle and steering setup (plus a lot of little things I'm forgetting).
Leyden, those look almost the same as Ford used on the racer above in 1905/1906.
Thanks for your help and ideas,
Rob
Hi Rob,
Looking at the flywheel on car is the same as what's coming..