The optimum steering wheel: 73T hot rod.

[911hillclimber]

Not sure..
Tricky one this as I want the glue to be fluid for a few mins while I get the tube positioned right and 'clamped' into place before it goes off.

Closest I've found is 3m 847, fluid for 15 mins then gone. expensive @ £22 and a pint of the stuff, might last me my lifetime.
Another suggestion to me has been No-Nails but that is a rapid setting system.
Evostik contact adhesive could work, but no forgiveness when positioning....

[Lightweight_911]

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I was thinking more of something like one of the Sikaflex (or equivalent) high strength sealant/adhesives ...

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[911hillclimber]

Sikaflex is good stuff, and an RTV system I think. Read recently that those systems do not take to rubbers, but with the tubes now awaited, might get a few of these systems a trial them.

[Bruce M]

Tiger seal perhaps? That’s sticks like crazy, once it goes off.

[911hillclimber]

Ordered some sikaflex this morning.
It saved the caravan industry in noughties so have some experience of it, will test it first.
Last thing I need is rim padding that twists...

Did Porsche use 380mm because of the width of the horn butterfly?

[911hillclimber]

Tubes arrived today.

The smaller one has re-enforcement in it so quite stiff, like fuel hose, and the larger is a simple tube and surprisingly soft.
Both fit the 10mm steel tube foundation leaving almost zero gap to the join of the larger tube.

I've cut a small sample to test the fit and have also bound the two tightly using duct tape which I hope to use to clamp the tubes/Sikaflex until cured.
Sikaflex tube should be here I hope for the weekend and I can get these tubes on. The tubes are nicely curled almost to the right diameter!

There will be a bit of trimming to both tubes locally where the spokes are welded to the rim. overall rim dia is 26mm, the leather covering should add another 2mm.

[andytat]

I'm following with interest as I have a wheel with no padding on half of it's
diameter. I'm glad I didn't just scrap it now.

Andy

[911hillclimber]

The sticky mess with Sikaflex will soon be upon me. Hope it arrives soon so I can get over it!

Aside from the puck horn cover, cost is about £70 so far. I can obviously run with the butterfly for now.

[911hillclimber]

Still waiting on the Sikaflex to arrive, but have cut and loose-fitted both tubes on the rim.

The smaller one is a good snug fit, you almost could not bother glueing it (but I will).
The rubber outer changed shape as soon as I slit it along the length but although looked a disaster, some temporary taping and all the buckles can be pulled tight, so happy.

The £4 pu 'leather' cover arrived today, far too wide to fit, 100mm wide where I need about 75mm. still, I have a curved needle and black thread 'in stock'.

Might have found a leather supply in the right width for £10.

Anyone know how much 'DDK' suppliers charge to pro cover wheels? Could do with some contacts, J Parr and Garry?

So, I need to prep and paint the wheel tomorrow and glue the spoke 'spats' on before gluing the tubes on one at a time.

[911hillclimber]

Had a good go at this wheel today.
In the nick of time, spotted that the hub drillings were not in the correct orientation to suit my momo hub, so re-drilled two holes so all is good.

Decided to add some 'spats or cuffs' to the spokes for a comfortable thumb rest. I had some nice black vynal and an old mouse mat made from quite dense foam.

After some difficulty finding a good contact adhesive on the garage shelves these were in place, bit tedious, but look ok.

That done, the first rubber tube went on using a good amount of Sikaflex which, like all these glues just gets EVERYWHERE but mostly where you wanted.
The tac time is very very long, so I need to be patient until tomorrow when I hope it will have cured.

Made a test piece to see how well the two tubes will bond, hopefully tomorrow.

[Lightweight_911]

Andy had already drilled the hub for the momo screws which saved me messing about there ...

In the nick of time, spotted that the hub drillings were not in the correct orientation to suit my momo hub, so re-drilled two holes so all is good

I hadn't drilled the centre for a Momo hub Graham - those holes are where the rivets holding the original splined hub were ...

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[Lightweight_911]

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I don't know if it matters but the 'thumb spats' at the ends of the spokes are shorter on a 380mm wheel compared to a 400mm wheel :

380mm wheel:




400mm wheel ;

[911hillclimber]

Those holes then are a great co-incidence!

They are on a 70mm pcd x 6 but on my momo the top screw is at '12 noon' and the Porsche rivet holes are at 10 and 2 o'clock. Thought you had drilled them.
No problems.

The spats are just over the radius of the spokes and shallow compared to my stock 400mm wheel and are far from ridged, the butterfly has lots of room to move to make contact.

Going to keep the butterfly, it has grown on me and with some soap and water has cleaned up well after 29 years in the loft.

Despite my attempts to cut rubber out, I have 4 x bulges at the spoke/rim welds which will need flatting tomorrow before the outer tube is bonded on. The nitrile rubber flats quite readily and cured Sika is supposed to be sandable so all should smooth out.

So far, so good.

Having trouble getting a leather cover, so might approach someone on here for a simple sleeve, 80mm wide and ready stitched.

Can't remember who does upholstery, is it Garry?

[yoda]

Looking good so far Graham!

Garry or Jonathan (jtparr) will be able to help with the leather cover.

[911hillclimber]

Thank you!
Just pm'd Jonathan first.