Steering wheels... again...

PostPost by: elansprint71 » Fri Jul 21, 2017 9:07 pm

I've no doubt that since 2003 we have discussed this more than once(!). We all know that the original wheels fitted to cars after about the S2 were of Chapmanesque quality, i.e. as cheap as possible. Back in '75 I threw a crappy plastic (un)signed standard wheel from my '68S4SE into the bin and fitted a lovely Moto-Lita REAL leather wheel.
Over the years I've had a number of aftermarket wheels but keep coming back to Moto-Lita.
My current Sprint, which I bought 16 years ago, came with a rather lovely period 13" wood-rim Moto-Lita, however, I've felt a need to drive this with gloves, rather than bare hands, so today I fitted a 12" red leather Moto-Lita. I seriously considered paying a lot more money for a TT repro item but, hey, I already had the Moto boss and centre cap. It feels great, OK I can't see all the dials without moving my head slightly, so what- my head still moves.

Guess what- while I was in the garage for half an hour fitting it, the weather turned from blue skies to absolutely pissing down, so I'm back to sitting in the car making those pathetic brrrrmm-brrrmm noises just like I did in 1975.
:twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

btw; my other car languishes with a signed Chapman wheel until such time as I can get my lardy in gear and get it on the road!

Your steering wheel stories... please. ;-)
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PostPost by: john1180 » Sat Jul 22, 2017 1:26 am

Pics please!
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PostPost by: john.p.clegg » Sat Jul 22, 2017 6:14 am

Being a Plus2 man,only one car but three s/wheels,all 15"...all "signed".

the original CC signed

2017_0722swheel0002.jpg and


Unique wooden CC " signed" to match the dash

colin-chapman-wooden.jpg and


Unique 4" dish ???

2017_0722swheel0001.jpg and


John :wink:
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PostPost by: elj221c » Sat Jul 22, 2017 10:47 am

elansprint71 wrote:
btw; my other car languishes with a signed Chapman wheel until such time as I can get my lardy in gear and get it on the road!

Your steering wheel stories... please. ;-)


Pete,

My only Elan (without a signed wheel) languishes too!

Here is its 'pristine' Mota Lita which was on when I bought the car in '75. It was a bit shinier then....

p1010077.1.jpg and
Roy
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PostPost by: jimj » Sat Jul 22, 2017 1:56 pm

Being a man of experience (I`ve even experienced Pete in real life); I have the Colin Chapman steering wheel on the Sprint and a 13" Motolita on the S3. The original is too thin but I want to stay with the factory spec. The Motolita is thicker, smaller and lovely and weights up the steering nicely. It`s far "better".
Jim

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PostPost by: john1180 » Sat Jul 22, 2017 9:33 pm

Elansprint71,
I'd like to see a pic of your red leather motolita wheel!
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PostPost by: UAB807F » Sun Jul 23, 2017 5:11 am

john.p.clegg wrote:Being a Plus2 man,only one car but three s/wheels,all 15"...all "signed".
Unique wooden CC " signed" to match the dash
John :wink:


How did you do that signature wheel John ?

Brian
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PostPost by: john.p.clegg » Sun Jul 23, 2017 5:42 am

A piece of masking tape placed over the original,trace with fine pen,apply to blank spoke,with a steady hand and a fine tip on the dremmel...voila

Practice on a piece of scrap first...

John :wink:

The twenty-pound notes are coming on fine...
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PostPost by: UAB807F » Sun Jul 23, 2017 7:04 am

That's a neat idea of getting the right scale with masking tape. It's raining over here this morning so I might give it a shot with a bit of ali, if nothing else it will keep me out from under the missus's feet for an hour :) .

I had tried photographing and creating a clear transfer for the unsigned wheel on the Europa, but it looked wrong because you could see the edges. Ok from 6 foot away, not so good close up. Never thought of masking tape though....
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PostPost by: Craven » Sun Jul 23, 2017 10:42 am

Hi,
My local key cutting shops engraving machine can be programmed by a photograph !!!!
Ron.
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PostPost by: john.p.clegg » Sun Jul 23, 2017 11:00 am

The problem might arise trying to bolt the s/wheel to the engraver??

John :wink:
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PostPost by: Elanman68 » Sun Jul 23, 2017 11:03 am

Where abouts is that please as I'd like to get my replacement Chassis plate (currently not fitted) to match the quite stylish hand engraving on the rather tatty original? I'm also on the South Coast of the UK, about in the middle.
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PostPost by: Craven » Sun Jul 23, 2017 12:06 pm

Hi,
John, anyone wanting to forge a wheel would have this done prior to assembly, how demountable are the spokes are on an original. ?where there?s a will there?s a way.?
Elanman88, I think you will find almost any engraver has this facility, Digital Photo on SD card.
Your requirement is exactly my original enquiry but have not had this done yet as still looking for a high quality repro Cheshunt Plate, not the cheapo screen printed type.
Ron.
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PostPost by: Elanman68 » Sun Jul 23, 2017 12:17 pm

Thanks, I'll investigate. My repro Chassis plate is a Hethel plate, appropriate to the car but seems very similar quality to the original, just better condition. Don't remember where it came from, as I've probably had it 30 years or more.
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PostPost by: elansprint71 » Sat Jul 29, 2017 8:11 pm

Slightly dodgy colour rendering due to LED light source in dark garage. 12" wheel.

Image

The 13" wheel which came with the car.

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