Regarding 21” split rims, has anyone had direct first hand experience mounting new tires after the rim has been locked and mounted on the wheel? Is there any reason why this can not be done? I have a 21” split rim with a damaged lock and the rim is slightly twisted. I’d like to have the rim pressed into plain and welded to assure it stays straight and can’t separate. We mount new tires on Model A Ford wire spoke 21” rims routinely. Please offer your recommendation based on your experience.
Split rim question
- Thread starter rlh37ford
- Start date
Have direct first hand experience placing 21" tires on drop center Ford wire wheels, done that many times, the drop center lets the tire beads drop over the rim edge.
Never tried to place 21" tire bead over a straight flat rim, without collapsing one side away, don't wish to try.
30" Clincher tires, even without the stiff bead on those 21" balloon tires, are tough enough over a straight rim.
Never tried to place 21" tire bead over a straight flat rim, without collapsing one side away, don't wish to try.
30" Clincher tires, even without the stiff bead on those 21" balloon tires, are tough enough over a straight rim.Attachments
21" straight side tires have steel wire built into the bead so it cannot stretch, otherwise the air pressure inside would force the tire over the rim. The rim must therefore have some means to allow the tire to be mounted. Your Model A wheels like modern wheels are drop center type. That is, there is a well of smaller diameter in the middle for the tire to drop down in when being mounted. This allows the tire to go over the rim on the other side. Your Model T split rim does not have this feature but instead collapses to a smaller diameter when unlatched. If you weld the rim so it cannot collapse, the tire cannot be stretched over the side of the rim to either mount or dismount.
Thank you tmodelman & Layden B for your recommendations. Being familiar with the Model A drop center wheel rim, you’ve reminded me that the drop center allows the first rim of the tire to drop into the rim center so the other side of the same tire rim goes over the wheel rim. I didn’t know that the 21” tires have a steel wire in the bead. Now I see why the split rim must be collapsed using the rim spreader to mount the tube/tire and then spreader the rim inside and latch the lock. No welding allowed here. So, now I need to find someone who can take the slight twist out and reshape the bent rim lock. Thank you again Ford Barn.