Steering Wheel

MartinClan · #1 5th February 2010, 08:06

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

GreatOldOne · #2 5th February 2010, 08:19

The moto-lita website does list an e30 hub, but it's just temp. unavailable:

Quote:

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

They may have them in later?

MartinClan · #3 5th February 2010, 08:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreatOldOne

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

GreatOldOne · #4 5th February 2010, 08:57

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?

MartinClan · #5 5th February 2010, 10:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreatOldOne

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

GreatOldOne · #6 5th February 2010, 11:17

Ok - look forward to seeing your new wheel.

peterux · #7 6th February 2010, 17:04

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

Patrick · #8 6th February 2010, 18:27

Maybe they could custom drill a wheel to fit something like the momo adapter I have on mine?

GreatOldOne · #9 8th February 2010, 08:55

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?

MartinClan · #10 8th February 2010, 12:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreatOldOne

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

GreatOldOne · #11 8th February 2010, 13:44

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...

)

GreatOldOne · #12 1st June 2010, 18:09

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...

Patrick · #13 1st June 2010, 18:15

oooo very nice

I keep looking over those, style fits much better the momo one I have