The original wheels are aluminum made by Perma-Cast Co. Many of them were
not very true (lots of runout). Some can be corrected and some just have too
much runout. There is only so much that can be machined off. Most of the
Bricklins I have had I was able to tell if the wheels on the steer had
runout because there was an inherent slight shake in the steering wheel at
between 62-65 mph. This was not balance but runout. It is less noticible if
you put those wheels in the rear. If you bolt the wheel on the hub and set a
dial indicator on the outer or inner rim edge, you can see how much runout
there is. I have never bothered to have mine trued but I have heard that it
costs approx. 75.00 to 100.00 per wheel to do it.
I also question the Corvette wheels fitting as I believe the lug pattern
is different and also the offset may be different. I suggest that if you
want to change wheels you call someone like Tire Rack and tell them what you
have and are looking for. I think they have a web sight that you can see all
the wheels that they have to offer.
Hope this helps.
George.
George J. Malaska, VIN#768.
Membership Director, Bricklin International
Elkhart, IN. 219-875-1270
bricklingeorge@msn.com.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Olenick, Jamison" <Olenick@ssims.nci.nih.gov>
To: <Bricklin@autox.team.net>
Sent: Wednesday, December 08, 1999 3:34 PM
Subject: RE: Upgarding to 17" Rims
> Correct me if I am wrong.....but aren't the stock wheels made of magnesium
(or
> was that just a dream of mine)? Alot of them were out-of-round. And, if
they
> are indeed magnesium, then they would be more brittle than aluminum and
put on a
> much greater show if they caught on fire (plus be very hard/nearly
impossible to
> put out).
>
> Also....I thought that the Corvette lug pattern was not the same as that
of the
> Bricklin. I thought that the 5 lug pattern was that of a Ford/AMC???
> So...going to Corvette rims would be quite a chore. Anyone? ...although
I do
> remember seeing a Bricklin in an old Brickline with Corvette rims.
>
> Jamie
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: GLCurley@aol.com [SMTP:GLCurley@aol.com]
> Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 1999 10:08 PM
> To: Bricklin@autox.team.net
> Cc: rileym3@hotmail.com
> Subject: Re: Upgarding to 17" Rims
>
> Riley,
> Glad to hear you have your priorities in order there. :) Anyone please
feel
> free to disagree, but as far as I have been able to tell on my 74s, the
> odometer mileage seems to be correct, it is only the speed that is
displayed
> incorrectly. That is my impression from road trips in two 74 Bricklins,
> comparing the mileage to road signs and 3 different chase vehicles
> speedometers/odometers. I could still be wrong about this because it was
> never a primary goal to calibrate it.
> The aluminium wheels have a reputation for being out of round and balance
and
> therefore causing vibration. Mine don't seem to vibrate that badly, but
one
> of them actually leaks. They are after all cast aluminium. New tires,
new
> valve stem; the tire still goes down in about a week. There are
supposedly
> companies that can balance and recondition the wheels and get them round.
> Check in Hemmings for an ad. One place John Cherba told me about is Wheel
> Collision Center, 7286 Penn Drive, Bath, PA 18014 1-800-292-7467. I don't
> know anything else about them or if they are still in business. Caveat
emptor.
> By the way, Flitz metal polish is the best thing I have used on them.
>
> George Curley
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