As part of getting this new-to-me 1965 E-Type Roadster roadworthy, I need to put on new tires because the current Michelin X’s are almost 10 years old. They have lots of tread and aren’t cracking, but I don’t want to chance it, especially with a car with little thought on passenger safety!
So I am thinking of going with Vredestein Sprint Classics in 185HR15. When we were cleaning the MWS wire wheels while off the car this weekend, I found one of the spokes broken at the head, but still staying put.
I’d like to get this spoke fixed (MWS can send me the spoke), but ideally I would like to have a wire wheel specialist check all the wheels are good, fix the spoke, and properly mount the Sprint Classics with tubes and rim bands all at once. I read that if the shop doesn’t know what their doing, they can bend the rim.
Does anyone know if there’s a good wire wheel specialist anywhere near Houston that can do the full job?
I couldn’t find anything by googling, but maybe someone on here knows about one. Otherwise, I guess I will have to ship the wheels to have it done.
I live in Austin and took mine up to John Blake in Grapevine between Dallas and Ft Worth. I needed the wires trued and some replaced, new tubes and tires installed, and each wheel balanced. You can review his website here http://www.jbswirewheel.com/, but he doesn’t always answer email or the phone since he’s going to school. He still likes to work on wheels when he has the time and between semesters seems to work for him. Let me know if you want to get in touch.
There was one when I lived there, but it was 15 years ago that they did anything for me. Unfortunately I .remember neither the address or company name although I recall the general area they were in. South of the CBD and west of US 59, but north of Westheimer and East of South Main. Sorry, but that’s as close as I can pin it down. You might contact Motorcars, Ltd., http://www.motorcarsltd.com, and ask them if they know of anyone.
Shops with the expertise to work on wire wheels, including spoke replacement and truing, was discussed a few months ago. Some members reported sucess, IIRC, by taking them to a motorcycle shop. Might be worth a couple of phone calls.
I also live in Houston. My wheels have been OK so I cannot be much help but I e-mailed some of the other local Jaguar guys I know to see if they might have any tips for local Houston wire wheel shops. If I get any replies that might be useful I will post it here
David, many thanks for doing that! I look forward to being an active member of the E-Type circles in Houston. My dad will be showing the E-Type at Keels & Wheels this year. Are you entering your car in that event?
Philip I have had my car at Keels and Wheels a few times but do not think I will this year. I most likely will attend as a spectator though so hope to see you. It is a good event to talk Jaguars with some of the local guys.
Sadly JB left my area and moved to Tx. As stated, he is going to school and will work on wheels in between school, kids, wife and life. http://www.jbswirewheel.com/
I ended up having Motorcars Ltd mount and balance the tires with tubes. They definitely work on a lot of cars with wire wheels and they have a mechanic from Cuba that definitely has spent plenty of time working on wire wheels.
The wheels are not mounted on the car yet because I am still going through maintenance upgrades to the fuel, ignition, and cooling systems, so I haven’t tried them out yet to comment on the work, but that is coming soon enough. The car should be back on the road this weekend.
No, not going although I still get an annual invite to show. We live 520 miles from Houston now. Add to that the semester doesn’t end until mid May and there is no way to make it happen. I understand Keels and Wheels isn’t as big as it was 10 years ago. Is that true?
If you define big as being full up with cars and boats, it’s still full up. I don’t know how they are doing with attendance of the public. In terms of cool cars, they always cool cars that you won’t see out on the road or at a typical cars and coffee event.
