Adjustable Spoke Wheels

R

Relvis P. Johnson

Member
Coker ads show Model A Wheels, welded spokes for $365.00 and adjustable spokes for $295.00.

My thought is to pay the additional $70 per wheel and go with Henry's design.

Does anyone have experience with the adjustable spokes?
 
I would suggest you save even more money and go with the original wheels. You can get some very good original wheels for a lot less than that and a little looking. Be sure to check the street rod sites (HAMB?) as they don't appreciate good original wheels. Just be sure that you can return them if they have too much run out or out of round. Line up someone to correct them if they need it. It would be good to include your general location in your post in case someone has some wheels or would like to suggest a good shop for minor straightening. By the way, what year wheels are you looking for?

Charlie Stephens
 
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Thanks!

All of my '30 wheels are out more than 1/4 inch. I would prefer to keep my original wheels for sure.

Who does wheel corrections in The Sacramento Valley?
 
My experience with adjustable spoke wheels was gained from 10 years of messing with MG's and Austin Healy roadsters. They required frequent tuning in order to be kept in top shape and I became extremely vigilant about avoiding anything that looked like a pothole. The guys who did the tuning were rather secretive about the process and would have you believe that they were members of some priesthood. Why buy adjustable when good clean and solid originals are available for 50-60 bucks?
 
Call Steve Becker at Bert's Model A in Denver. If I remember correctly, they have a fixture to straighten wheels. You might even ask them about shipping your wheels to true them up if you cant find anything locally. Shipping is pricey but, if Steve still has this fixture, you will have good wheels when done.
 
Greg Jones said:
Call Steve Becker at Bert's Model A in Denver. If I remember correctly, they have a fixture to straighten wheels. You might even ask them about shipping your wheels to true them up if you cant find anything locally. Shipping is pricey but, if Steve still has this fixture, you will have good wheels when done.
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I would think it would be way cheaper then $365.00 a wheel for new.
 
Relvis;
You didn't say where you live or if you would travel to have your wheels serviced. But lets say you live in the greater Bay area including Sacramento. Contact your Model A parts suppliers such as Sacramento Vintage Ford, So-Cal Speed Shop in the Sac area and All Ford in the San Jose area, ask them where to get your wheels serviced.

If you draw a blank, contact Wheel Vintiques in the City of Industry So-Cal (800-950-2100) they make wheels and have dealers all over, I believe Coker is one, ask them where to go.

If you can not find someone near you and say you have to send your wheels to Steve Becker, go one of the many custom wheel dealers and ask for left over boxes, I know they will have 19", 20" and 22" I don't know about 21", but in any case you can tailor the box to fit your wheels.

The shipping could be easy or more difficult, I have used Greyhound with great success, it takes a few days but it is cheap. Another option is the contractor supply store Fastenal, they are all over the country and have there own inner store transport system. However both of these low cost options will not provide delivery to the final destination.

This is where your friends here on The Ford Barn, The HAMB, MAFCA or MARC members, use your roster, most likely will help you out. You will have to ask, maybe offer your first born in exchange, or promise to "pay it forward" when someone else needs a favor. You will be on the old honor system, if you don't, we here on the Barn know how to get hold of you.

If all of the above fails, contact me, I have owned a number of businesses and have been used to telling people what to do! By all means try to salvage the original wheels, do not scrap them, someone could use them.
 
I've seen the old adjustable spoke 19 inch wheels at swap meets. They usually demand a much higher price than good original wheels. I never considered myself to be that good at adjusting spokes and avoided the high priced adjustable wheels.
 
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