Replacement Dayton wire wheel rims

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Reno Speedster
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Replacement Dayton wire wheel rims

Post by Reno Speedster » Wed May 24, 2023 3:26 pm

I have a set of Dayton wire wheels and hubs I want to use on my speedster. I want to rebuild the wheels. Dayton has spokes and spoke nuts but I am interested in getting new rims. Does anyone know of a source that can produce them?


Jerry VanOoteghem
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Re: Replacement Dayton wire wheel rims

Post by Jerry VanOoteghem » Wed May 24, 2023 3:48 pm

This is where I bought mine... I got Dayton lock ring rims.
https://www.vintagerims.co.nz/

Another...

https://www.vintagerimsaus.com/

Could try here also...

https://www.antiquetyres.com.au/wheels/vintage-rims


What style wheels do you have? Drop center? Lock ring? Clincher? Dentil drive or pin drive?


Topic author
Reno Speedster
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Re: Replacement Dayton wire wheel rims

Post by Reno Speedster » Wed May 24, 2023 6:05 pm

Thanks. They are 48 spoke pin drives. I think they take regular 30 3 1/2 tires, like a regular T. Some of the rims are ok. A couple have some sharp spots. All of the nuts are seized and I am looking for a properly fitted nipple wrench. I have 5 wheels and a full set of hubs. Here are some shots of one of the wheels. If you have a sharp eye, you will see some spokes missing. They were sent to Dayton to make matching spokes.
Attachments
04378A7C-0D88-4875-A63B-13FBA93818BE.jpeg
823DA3D5-7FC6-47D8-9FC7-6A210BB84B7A.jpeg


Allan
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Re: Replacement Dayton wire wheel rims

Post by Allan » Thu May 25, 2023 12:19 am

I believe the New Zealand business has closed and the machinery sold to the UK.
Vintage rims Australia makes beautiful rims, and can dimple and drill to suit.
If your other rims are as sound as the one photographed, I would use them. They will need a little more preparation before painting though, if that is what you are trying to avoid.
Laced wheels should be painted rather than powder coated. The spoke nipple tool should be freely available, perhaps from a motorcycle restoration service.

Allan from down under.


Dan McEachern
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Re: Replacement Dayton wire wheel rims

Post by Dan McEachern » Thu May 25, 2023 1:12 am

Buchannans can supply spokes and nipples from a sample. They also have nipple wrenches available.

https://www.buchananspokes.com/

You might contact Kevin Pharis- he may have some rims in stock.

My experience with old wire wheels, if you plan to run them seriously, replace the spokes because if the old nipples are seized you can't true or tighten any looses ones and the old spokes tend to break after some use.


Jerry VanOoteghem
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Re: Replacement Dayton wire wheel rims

Post by Jerry VanOoteghem » Thu May 25, 2023 6:32 am

The rim you pictured looks very good. Are the others bad?


Topic author
Reno Speedster
Posts: 439
Joined: Tue May 26, 2020 6:23 pm
First Name: Morgan
Last Name: Blanchard
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Model T Speedster Project, 1922 Runabout Pickup
Location: Anchorage, Alaska

Re: Replacement Dayton wire wheel rims

Post by Reno Speedster » Thu May 25, 2023 10:52 am

Thanks for the advice and recommendations. The plan is to replace the spokes and nipples. I have some new spokes from Dayton but will need more. The plan is to relace the wheels with new spokes so they are adjustable.

Most of the rims are not bad, but a couple have areas where rust on the edge has made them sharp right where they contact the tire. I could weld these areas up and reshape them, but I think that could cause issues. I am not sure what the steel is and heat could warp the rim.

I will check in with the folks in Oz and look at Buchanan for spokes and a nipple wrench.


Kevin Pharis
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Re: Replacement Dayton wire wheel rims

Post by Kevin Pharis » Thu May 25, 2023 3:34 pm

I may have access to a complete Dayton wheel for use as a pattern to figure the spoke hole angles. Also have plenty of 30x3-1/2” rims on hand and possibly spokes that will fit too. Send me an email


Topic author
Reno Speedster
Posts: 439
Joined: Tue May 26, 2020 6:23 pm
First Name: Morgan
Last Name: Blanchard
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Model T Speedster Project, 1922 Runabout Pickup
Location: Anchorage, Alaska

Re: Replacement Dayton wire wheel rims

Post by Reno Speedster » Thu May 25, 2023 10:27 pm

Here is a shot of one of the sharp parts on one of the rims.
Attachments
E5BFC1FD-E269-41D3-8A52-1AC46C96A1B8.jpeg

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