Wire wheels

[leigh.roll]

Hi fellow Marlinistas - I am a very new member and this is my first plea for help... probably not my last!
I have a Marina based Roadster and I would like to fit wire wheels - Molly is currently wearing what I presume are standard four stud steel Marina wheels 4.5" x 13". I have seen some wire wheels that are bolt-on - can I opt for larger diameter wheels? I guess this would affect the gearing and also the speedo reading. I am replacing the speedo but what about the gearing? How large a diameter is practical? Can members advise me please. One other question - does anyone know of a garage in Berkshire or Wilts that they can recommend?
Many thanks.
Leigh

[jon_cox]

Re: Wire wheels

Hi Leigh,
Wire wheels are fairly easy but perhaps slightly expensive. The Marina PCD is the same as the Triumph spitfire / Herald / GT6 etc...... Any Triumph specialist will be able to supply wheel hub adaptors and wheels. Try watford classic cars - or eBay where many wheels are up for sale. As for size, you can chose any diameter you like as long as they are available as wires. Remember that it is the tyre wall ratio that dictates the overall diameter. So, if you go for a 15" wheel and fit a low profile tyre like a 195/55/15 then the rolling circumference will be the same as a 13" wheel fitted with a 185/75/13. Also remember that the Roadster was designed around wheels with a 5.5" width. 6" wheels will fit but be very careful with offset. If your tyres protrude outside the wings then it can fail the MOT. I had knock on wires fitted to my Roadster when it was first built which worked with no probs. Only thing I had to do was shorten the wheel studs as they hit the wheel so it wouldn'y sit on the splines correctly.
Good luck.

[macdonald.dm]

Re: Wire wheels

On a car which already has a firm ride, going for low profile tyres can really make your teeth rattle.

[leigh.roll]

Re: Wire wheels

Thanks for your reply Jon - I was thinking of bolt-on wires of 5.5 x 15" - presumably this will make for a bigger looking wheel. I just think that 13" wheels look too small in relation to the wings. But how will it affect the gearing?
Cheers
Leigh

[dogoncrazy]

Re: Wire wheels

Leigh
As Jon has pointed out, if you use a low profile tyre ie 15 inch x 55 the rolling radius is the same as using 13 inch x 85 therefor the gearing is NOT affected

[philcoyle]

Re: Wire wheels

Leigh, just had a quick measure of my Marina wheels 176cm circumference, and the fifteen inch wires on my marlin is 196cm on 195 60r 15,so your gearing is marginally higher. Good for fuel saving but watch the cameras,

[petermads]

Re: Wire wheels

Leigh - I've been thinking exactly the same, esp your point about the 13" appearing too small. Glad to hear that the Spitfire/Herald wheel is the same PCD. Now to look on eBay