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This is a read-only archive of the old Madabout Kitcars forum. New posts and replies are no longer possible, but every thread is still here to browse and read.

Steering Wheel

5 Feb 2010, 9:06am
I would be interested to know what everyone has used in the Steering Wheel department.

I was thinking about a Mountney but it seems that you can no longer get a boss to fit the E30 and the Classsic wheel format (fixing is 6 x 100 pcd). And their newer "M" format wheels all look a bit too modern.

Moto-Lita no longer make an E30 boss either - but they do make an adapter to fit their wheels to a Momo hub (which I already have). So I have been thinking about a wooden Moto-Lita...

I have never had a car with a wooden wheel before - I am a bit concerned it could be a bit slippery and/or uncomfortable in use. What's the consensus? The Moto-Lita is pretty expensive and I don’t want to make a mistake on this point….

Robin
5 Feb 2010, 9:19am
The moto-lita website does list an e30 hub, but it's just temp. unavailable:

3, 5, 6 and 7 Series '84 on (S. Lock Acting on Wheel) (F35CH)
Temporarily Unavailable


They may have them in later?
5 Feb 2010, 9:47am
GreatOldOne wrote:
The moto-lita website does list an e30 hub, but it's just temp. unavailable:

They may have them in later?


I spoke to them yesterday. They suggested the adapter. I got the impression that they wouldn't be making the E30 hub again unless there was a demand for it. (I guess there are not many people that want to put a classic Mota-Lita on an E30)

Interestingly the guy I spoke to knew what a Marlin Sportster was! He was also exteremly helpful and said if I didn't like the adapter once I had seen it I could send it back for a refund. (I am not a big fan of adapters of any sort)

Robin
5 Feb 2010, 9:57am
Yes - it'd be nice if there where pictures of these adaptors on the website. I've set my heart on a wooden moto-lita wheel post IVA, and to find out that they don't make the hub anymore is a bit disapointing.

Who did you talk to at ML? I wonder if I could get him to send us some photos of the adaptor?
5 Feb 2010, 11:36am
GreatOldOne wrote:
Who did you talk to at ML? I wonder if I could get him to send us some photos of the adaptor?


I don't know who it was - except that he admitted to being an old git like myself ;-)

I already asked him for a picture - he said they didn't have one. But he gave me a good description of the adapter. Basically you can't see it once the wheel is mounted. It adds about 10mm to the depth (height?) of the hub. The horn push fits like it would on the Moto-lita hub.

I'll probably order one next week when I've decided what wheel I am going for.

Robin
5 Feb 2010, 12:17pm
Ok - look forward to seeing your new wheel. :)
6 Feb 2010, 6:04pm
In days gone by, many years ago, I owned an Austin Healey Sprite. It had a wood and aluminium steering wheel and I loved it.

I too was looking to buy a Mota-lita steering wheel because my current wheel is too slippery but I couldn't get an e30 hub. I searched and searched and then one day a sruffy looking hub turned up on eBay. Scruffy but nothing a can of paint couldn't fix so I eagerly bid away and won it for the princely sum of £13. Feely really chuffed I waited for the postman like an exicited child. Then nothing!
It turned out the guy's builder threw it in the skip! I told him what I thought and he called me irrational!!! Since then I've never seen another one advertised.

There is a guy on ebay that sells new Mota-lita steering wheels and he sometimes lists the adapter, but that adds more to the cost of a wheel.

...peter
6 Feb 2010, 7:27pm
Maybe they could custom drill a wheel to fit something like the momo adapter I have on mine?
8 Feb 2010, 9:55am
I managed to get a 2nd hand Momo hub last night on ebay... Now all I need is an SVA friendly wheel. I notice that your wheel is fully padded, Robin - do you happen to know what model Momo wheel that is?
8 Feb 2010, 1:28pm
GreatOldOne wrote:
I managed to get a 2nd hand Momo hub last night on ebay... Now all I need is an SVA friendly wheel. I notice that your wheel is fully padded, Robin - do you happen to know what model Momo wheel that is?


It seems to be a special made for BMW as it has the M coloured stripes on it. I don't recall seeing any name on it. I'll have a look tonight. I'm going to order the Moto Lita bits today, so it will be "available" next week (assuming there are no hiccups) if you don't want the fun of an Ebay chase....

Robin
8 Feb 2010, 2:44pm
Okay - I'll hang fire on the wheel for now, until you recieve yours. I won't have the hub until late this week at any rate, and I've got other things to do (Door check straps, gear & hand brake gaiters, Low fuel circuit, steering rack stops... :))
1 Jun 2010, 6:09pm
Couldn't resist any longer. I've ordered a Moto-Lita MKIII 14" flat wheel with tear drop slots, a billet centre horn push & the momo adaptor.

I've told my self it's so I can match the wood of the wheel to whatever timber I get for the cockpit... ;)
1 Jun 2010, 6:15pm
oooo very nice :D I keep looking over those, style fits much better the momo one I have :)