[Tigers] having tires mounted that you don't purchase

[Cullen McCann]

Hey Andy, 

point taken...will do. I think since I haven't got a horror story like that to speak of, I just haven't fully appreciated the risk....of course my (fake) cobra wheels were reproduction pin drive Halibrands (only there are 17") and were purchased new from vintage wheel in California just days before taking them to discount tire...so they are very replaceable....and I felt confident after my order was taken from the manager of the store who was my age...that they had it under control...but I guarantee I will take great caution if I find myself in a similar spot with any wheel situation like the one you described...especially one that involves a valuable wheel or anything like that..

good point Andy...thanks for the heads up..





Hey, Cullen:

I know this comment will mean something to you since you and I live in the same area so I beg the forgiveness of the list right off the bat.  

If I were you, I'd be very concerned over where you take your nice wheels to have ANY work done on them at all.  Case in point...I used to own a '89 Saleen Mustang and one day I picked up a nail in one of my tires.  I removed the wheel and took it to Hibdon Tire Center in Edmond.  I had previously called them and inquired about their experience regarding working with out-of-production and expensive wheels and they assured me that they had a "touchless" tire machine and there was no way they would damage my wheel.  To make a long story short, the pimply-faced idiot in the shop bent the sh*t out of my wheel rim.  In fact, I caught him trying to beat it back into shape with a hammer!!!!  After going absolutely ballistic on the manager, I took the wheel to "The Wheel Connection" over on Meridian and had them repair it.  I then presented the bill to the DA over Hibdons and, to his credit, he paid me for the repair work ($150.00).  To this day, if I ever have ANY wheel or tire work whatsoever done on the Tiger or the Alpine, "The Wheel Connection" is the only place I'll go.  They specialize in restoring damaged wheels and know how to handle them.  To date, they've handled both sets of wheels for my Tiger (my LAT 70s and my  magnesium American Racing Silverstones) and have done an outstanding job on both occasions.

Be very careful who you let handle your wheels!!  I would most definitely stay away from the "average Joe" wheel and tire stores when it comes to specialty wheels.