MG Midget Forum

I thought I would share this little story of my experience with Motor Wheel Service.

I purchased 4 new 13 inch painted wire wheels and were delivered within a week all the way from the UK to Australia which was amazing in itself. As I always do is open up each box when they come in and completed a condition report. I discovered one wheel had some paint off one spoke which was approximately an inch long. Being a competent painter I messaged Gary Gardner and asked if they can supply the paint for me to patch up the damage. Gary asked for some pictures and asked if the box was damaged or opened during shipment. I supplied the pictures and let him know that everything arrived perfect with no damage. After several emails Gary responded to me stating the wheel should not have been received in that condition and he was sending out a replacement wheel and to keep the damaged wheel as a spare. As you would expect I was totally surprised with Gary's decision and elated that I now have a new spare wheel that I can now put in the trunk of my car.

So as you would expect I'm very happy with my purchase and if your looking at purchasing new wire wheels make sure you check out MWS.

Rob

I don't know the situation with the Australian dollar vs. the pound, but when I bought new wheels directly from MWS last October they came in four days and I saved over $400 even after shipping and customs fees. Then this Spring I opted for new hubs and saved some more, after a few very nice email exchanges with their Isabella Zethofer to make sure I was ordering the right ones.

By the way, Sprite/Midget wire wheels are 4" wide but a Spitfire's are 4.5" wide and fit beautifully.

Too bad your stuck with that defective wheel

As a vendor I find MWS go out of their way for customers at both the front and back door accounts. A lot of ill tempered talk has gone on for many years about Dunlop wheels but MWS certainly is doing their best to represent the line these days. A lot better than another wire wheel company with a Rhett Butler attitude...

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Regards,
Robert Kirk

kirkbrit@yahoo.com
E-mail PLEASE for quote/questions/orders

Business phone 563 323 1017

http://kirks-auto.com/
Moss distributor/UK importer
Beat or match most retail/delivered quote

I opted for a set of Dayton's so that I could get that half inch wider wheel. At the time I was told that the depth of the wheel hub on the Triumph was such as to make the two incompatible. Anyone have any more on this?? I thought that the TR hub was considerably shorter and the wheel would not tighten up.

Not so, Ben?

Kurt

Glad to hear their great service is spread to everyone that has had dealings with them. I will be more than happy to promote there business.

No to the next problem....Tyres!

Can I use tubeless with tubes?

The car already has 155/80 rubber which looks good.

Whats everyone using these days?

Rob

Yes, you can fit tubes inside of tubeless tires.

The important thing is to inspect the inside of each tire carefully to make sure that there are no inspection stickers anywhere in there. If you miss one you will shortly get a flat and find a little square hole in your inner tube right where that sticker was (BTDT).


N

MWS tell you if the wheels are sealed. At one time I believe 13s were not sealed and tubes must be used....could have changed but the info is clearly on their site.

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Regards,
Robert Kirk

kirkbrit@yahoo.com
E-mail PLEASE for quote/questions/orders

Business phone 563 323 1017

http://kirks-auto.com/
Moss distributor/UK importer
Beat or match most retail/delivered quote

Kurt --

Years ago I saw a used set of chrome wire wheels at a car show, the guy said they were off a Spitfire but they looked like they'd fit so I bought them, tried them and they went on OK. I mounted new tires and ran them for a number of years, no problem. Last year I was buying new wheels from MWS and ordered the Sprite/Midget ones and when they came they were 4" wide. While dismounting the old tires from the old wheels I saw that the wheels were 4.5" wide. I looked at the MWS catalog and yes, Spitfire wheels are a half inch wider. There may have been a difference in back spacing, but with 155/80R13 tires I never had any rubbing. If I'd realized it before I ordered, I would have got the Spitfire ones again.

I checked my car last night and yes it has Hankook tubeless tyres. Currently running 155/80

Has anyone tried 155/65r13 size?


Rob

Ben, I was talking about the hub itself not being compatible from Spitfire to Midget. It was my understanding that Spit wheels would not tighten up on Midget hubs. That the nut would bottom and leave the wheel still loose.

Rob, in the states we are currently unable to get any of the 13 inch tires that are available in the rest of the world. I would think that size would be a bit short. I used to run 165/80 on my BE but could only run worn ones on the front since they would contact the fender during a turn. My goal was mainly to gear up the car.

Kurt.

I ran them for 10 or 15 years and never had a loose wheel. Now someone needs to take a Spitfire wheel and try it on a Midget, and report back what they found.

Kurt
Maybe I'm not following you but as far as I know on LBCs given the same size center lock any wheel will secure to the hub. The knock ons are are the same as is the wheel face against which the knocks on tighten. Whether a tire size fits is another matter.
Jag Aston Jowett use a bigger diameter but they all work the same.
IIRC Italian wheels and Boranis don't interface like the OEM Dunlop style

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Regards,
Robert Kirk

kirkbrit@yahoo.com
E-mail PLEASE for quote/questions/orders

Business phone 563 323 1017

http://kirks-auto.com/
Moss distributor/UK importer
Beat or match most retail/delivered quote

regarding tire sizes, there are calculators on the internet which will tell you the difference in rolling radius

Also, someone already did it for us for our wheels (see attached), it has 13" for Midgets and 14" for MGBs shown.


The farther off from the original rolling radius that you go, the funnier looking it is on the car (generally speaking) and the more inaccurate your speedometer becomes.




N

Well, jeez, I wish I could remember where I came up with the Spit and Midget wheels having a different hub length. I know that there are two different diameters for the Rudge Whitworth hubs but I'm sure I read somewhere that there are more differences.

Now, its going to bug me till I can figure that out!

Kurt.

The 165/65r14 has a similar rolling dia as the thirteens. Shame they won't fit under the guards