Lagondaforum

Subject: Wire wheel weights

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Does anyone have or know of any wire wheel balance weights? The sort fitted to many cars in the 1930s. They consist of a coach bolt through the rim and a series of lead and fibre "washers" plus a cover held on with a domed nut. I have some of the weights but am missing all the bases and cup shaped cover.

I have searched ebay on several occasions without success. a single unit as a pattern would be enough.

Any help or suggestions appreciated.

David

Subject: Re: Wire wheel weights

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Hi David,
I ended up having some made, as two of the wheels on my LG6 special had none; indeed the wheel rebuilder had to cut holes in them for the special coachbolts. I think you'll find you need to add aluminium and steel to the lead and fibre you mention. That is also the arrangement on my V12's wheels, but neither those nor the LG6 wheels have the "cup shaped cover" you refer to.
IF such covers were standard, I would also be interested in a set.
Laurence

Subject: Re: Wire wheel weights

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Hi Laurence,

See these links. Rolls-Royce but I imagine wheel weights were standard items.

http://www.boddice.co.uk/bpic2533.html
http://www.boddice.co.uk/bpic2534.html

I did find a R-R parts supplier who has some on their website but they don't seem to be able to find them or have already sold them and forgotten which is a pity.

David

Subject: Re: Wire wheel weights

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When I had the wheels rebuilt for my LG45,Motor Wheel Services, (MWS) in Langley were able to supply all the correct items from a "box of bits" but that was about five years ago. Fiennes Restoration may also be able to help as they certainly did keep all the bits for the wheel weights for prewar Bentleys. Hope this helps.

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Subject: Re: Wire wheel weights

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I recall that when I investigated sources for these for my LG6 wheels, that I concluded the RR/Bentley versions were not the same.
One would imagine that Dunlop (and the rims are certainly Dunlop) would have provided a standardised wheel balancing system. But it seems the rims were provided uncut, with each manufacturer coming up with their own system. My odd pair were uncut, so it seems some manufacturers didn't bother with balancing, or just wound lead wire around appropriate spokes.
Laurence

Subject: Re: Wire wheel weights

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I have just had a look at Fiennes Restoration website and they do list them in their parts section and yes Bentley and R-R are different items. There is a photo of one but not the other.
David

Subject: Re: Wire wheel weights

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Hi David,

I don't recall it being fearsomely expensive to have the parts made. I had the coachbolts and dome nuts made in stainless, which at least saved on having the nuts chrome plated. The only difficulty was sourcing lead...not a material engineering firms machine, as rule! I went to a scrap dealer for that. Unfortunately the lead sheet they had wasn't as thick as required; simply resolved by doubling up on the number of lead "washers" to be made.
Might it be worth a word with Robin regarding the possibility of having these parts made by the Club spares service? Some of the weights on my V12 wheels are aquare lumps, so if my experience is typical, there must be some demand for correct items.
Laurence

Subject: Re: Wire wheel weights

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Hi Laurence,

I think making is the best option. I have some original coach bolts and weights to match. The bases and covers can be made a suitable size to cover the weights.

David

Subject: Re: Wire wheel weights

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Having "played around" with the lead weights I decided I could more easily have dummy covers (I did make sure the coach bolt was properly sealed into the rim as I didn't want water getting in) and just adding the required modern self-adhesive weights and painting them, I think it worked really well. Mine were new wheels so I the balancing was pretty minimal and, of course, the dynamic balancing machines are reputed to be far more accurate than the spinning process our forebears used. Hope that helps.

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Subject: Re: Wire wheel weights

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I had my tires on the V12 changed some years ago. This was done by http://www.oldtimer-reifen.com/ (close to Munich) they are probably market leader in Germany. When I went there, they directly asked if they should put these cups with weights on, because they saw the holes for it in the rims. They took them off the shelf. I assume other good suppliers should have them too. If not mail or phone them at oldtimer-reifen

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