RE: Minilite copy?

Robert Bailey (RBailey(at)doa.state.la.us)
Fri, 21 Aug 1998 08:59:48 -0500


I must admit that I have never measured a wheel so I'm not sure I really understand the terminology. I measured one of what I now regard as a Superlite. Looking at it my friend said it was a 5.5. But when I took out my trusty Stanley tape-measure, it was 5 inches edge to edge. I measured the diameter and it was 14. The same as my original Sunbeam pressed-steel wheels, which I always thought were 13 in. wheels. Do you measure the inner diameter or the outer diameter? I took a straight edge and placed it across the back of the wheel. It was 2 3/4 inches from the flat plate of the hub back to the straight edge. Is that the offset? The small offset must account for the cut-outs in the spokes. I have two back-copies of Your Classic, each has stories on Tiger restorations. Each owner states he bought Superlites (40 Brit. Pounds each with lugs). They look the same as mine, right down to the gold paint, except that because of the obviously larger offset there were no cutouts needed for the lugs.

I've shown these wheels to a couple of people and they tell me, because of the color and texture of the metal, that these are probably mag wheels. I plan on bead blasting them, polishing the edge of the rims and painting the hubs and spokes gold. Anybody know where I can get hub caps on this side of the Pacific?

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jarrid Gross (Yorba Linda, CA) [SMTP:GROSS(at)UNIT.COM]
> Sent: Thursday, August 20, 1998 10:50 AM
> To: Christopher.Albers(at)bubbs.biola.edu;
> paul.heuer(at)dsto.defence.gov.au
> Cc: alpines(at)autox.team.net
> Subject: Re: Minilite copy?
>
>
> ----------
> From: Christopher.Albers(at)bubbs.biola.edu
>
>
> >Paul,
> > yes, I think 'offset' and 'backspace' are synonymous. I think I've
> >heard some Brits use the same terminology. 113mm is equal to 4.25",
> >however Jarrid stated he has a problem with the back wheels on his
> car
> >(he has 4.25 offset). I think he said the offset was too much (at)
> 4.25".
> > But then again he races his car, so maybe it wouldn't affect normal
> >driving conditions.
>
> >The 13mm difference is just barely over a half inch, so that would
> make
> >them about 3.70" (give or take), so maybe that's the way to go.
> >Opinions anyone?
> > Yes, I've heard that Alpines and Tigers share the same track.
>
> Here's what I think, and why.
>
> For a street car, it looks as if 5.5inch 113mm backspace will work,
> as it does on my car. If you experience the problems that I have,
> then space the wheels 3/16 or so. All should be well.
>
> If you want 5 inch wheels, definately go with 113 backspace, and
> you should space the wheels. This is the least risky of all the
> propositions, but will prohibit you from using 205mm tread tires.
>
> If you want 6 inch wheels, then get the 100mm backspace, and
> pray that you dont rub on the fenders, cause if you do, there
> is no fix but to roll the lips. Forget 113 backspacing here, if
> 5.5 inch wheels nearly rub, it just gets worse with 6 inch wheels.
>
>
> Jarrid Gross
>