Motorwheels questions?

ss wannabee · 08-02-2013, 10:20 AM

To you guys running these "classic" wheels....

1.) On the Motorwheel "Fly" rears....have you ever had them staightened...and your
thoughts on that?

2.) Did they ever make aluminum front "Flys?" All of the fronts I've seen at the track
were mag and a charcoal color. But some archival photos show cars with a
bright-colored front that seems to match the aluminum rears....

3.) I've heard of the Motorwheel "Fleas"....but never saw one. Think they were
introduced later...and may have been lighter. Were these front-ONLY...or did
they make rears also? Anybody got a photo of one of these they could "zap"
here?

REGGIE WINKLES · 08-02-2013, 11:16 AM

I have a pair of front "Flys" in mint condition on my car. What I have found is to have the wheels blasted with a plastic media to get the corrosion off, spray them with Gibbs Penetrate. You can find it online. The wheels will look like new for years after the application of Gibbs, it's amazing for the magnesium products.

55 Chevy · 08-02-2013, 04:25 PM

1) Depending on how bad and where they are bent, probably someone who really knew what they were doing could fix them up.

2)Remember the lug holes are not a standard diameter(.750) so you must either have thin wall washers made up or have someone like Mark Williams build you a set of studs. This is if you run the big studs in the back.

3) The fronts were always wrought magnesium. The early ones had hollow centres and aluminum lug nuts, the later ones were filled and came with Steel lugs. (also .750 diameter).

4) All I know about fleas is that they had back ones. Not sure of fronts.

5) I know a guy that is quite the expert on Motorwheels. P.M. me if you like and I can give you his name.

Allan

Bobby Zlatkin · 08-02-2013, 07:31 PM

My fronts are magnesium. When polished, they shine like a polished aluminum wheel, but lay down fast (turn gray). I finally gave up chasing after them and when they got to be really gray, I sprayed them with a satin finish clear and love the new maintenance-free look.

ss wannabee · 08-03-2013, 06:00 AM

Thanks for the input guys...The problem is I've looked at too many archival photos...
and seemed to convince myself that aluminum fronts once existed!

It appears that racers were polishing them...from the beginning...

Thanks Reggie and Bobby on the way you treat the fronts...I'm trying to not spend a
whole lot of time on them...and trying to find a technique that lasts...

Allan, I tried to PM you but your mailbox was full...We've spoken before on this subject.
I've got 8's and 10's and fronts...with the steel lugnuts...purchased about 10 yrs after
you got yours....

I HAVE had 1-set straightened a few years back...can't remember which set?

Jeff Lee · 08-03-2013, 12:04 PM

You HAVE to buy Gibbs Penetrating fluid if you have magnesium parts!

lynn engels · 08-03-2013, 11:06 PM

why mess around , have bogart build you a pr. theyll look just like motorwheels and he was also very reasonable. then tell me how to chg . pic size and i will post some pictures.

ss wannabee · 08-04-2013, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lynn engels

why mess around , have bogart build you a pr. theyll look just like motorwheels and he was also very reasonable. then tell me how to chg . pic size and i will post some pictures.

Thanks Lynn....but I prefer the original...I've seen the Bogarts on cars at the local track.

As for computer stuff...I know very little....don'y know how to do that!

08-02-2013, 10:20 AM	#1
ss wannabee Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 663 Likes: 0 Liked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Motorwheels questions? To you guys running these "classic" wheels.... 1.) On the Motorwheel "Fly" rears....have you ever had them staightened...and your thoughts on that? 2.) Did they ever make aluminum front "Flys?" All of the fronts I've seen at the track were mag and a charcoal color. But some archival photos show cars with a bright-colored front that seems to match the aluminum rears.... 3.) I've heard of the Motorwheel "Fleas"....but never saw one. Think they were introduced later...and may have been lighter. Were these front-ONLY...or did they make rears also? Anybody got a photo of one of these they could "zap" here?

08-02-2013, 11:16 AM	#2
REGGIE WINKLES Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: St. Augustine, Fla. Posts: 228 Likes: 510 Liked 39 Times in 9 Posts	Re: Motorwheels questions? I have a pair of front "Flys" in mint condition on my car. What I have found is to have the wheels blasted with a plastic media to get the corrosion off, spray them with Gibbs Penetrate. You can find it online. The wheels will look like new for years after the application of Gibbs, it's amazing for the magnesium products. __________________ Reggie Winkles 2650/Stock

08-02-2013, 04:25 PM	#3
55 Chevy Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Calgary,Alberta area Posts: 221 Likes: 15 Liked 12 Times in 11 Posts	Re: Motorwheels questions? 1) Depending on how bad and where they are bent, probably someone who really knew what they were doing could fix them up. 2)Remember the lug holes are not a standard diameter(.750) so you must either have thin wall washers made up or have someone like Mark Williams build you a set of studs. This is if you run the big studs in the back. 3) The fronts were always wrought magnesium. The early ones had hollow centres and aluminum lug nuts, the later ones were filled and came with Steel lugs. (also .750 diameter). 4) All I know about fleas is that they had back ones. Not sure of fronts. 5) I know a guy that is quite the expert on Motorwheels. P.M. me if you like and I can give you his name. Allan

08-02-2013, 07:31 PM	#4
Bobby Zlatkin Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Mills River, NC Posts: 417 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Motorwheels questions? My fronts are magnesium. When polished, they shine like a polished aluminum wheel, but lay down fast (turn gray). I finally gave up chasing after them and when they got to be really gray, I sprayed them with a satin finish clear and love the new maintenance-free look. __________________ Bobby & Norene Zlatkin L/SA

08-03-2013, 06:00 AM	#5
ss wannabee Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 663 Likes: 0 Liked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Re: Motorwheels questions? Thanks for the input guys...The problem is I've looked at too many archival photos... and seemed to convince myself that aluminum fronts once existed! It appears that racers were polishing them...from the beginning... Thanks Reggie and Bobby on the way you treat the fronts...I'm trying to not spend a whole lot of time on them...and trying to find a technique that lasts... Allan, I tried to PM you but your mailbox was full...We've spoken before on this subject. I've got 8's and 10's and fronts...with the steel lugnuts...purchased about 10 yrs after you got yours.... I HAVE had 1-set straightened a few years back...can't remember which set?

08-03-2013, 12:04 PM	#6
Jeff Lee VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Anthem, Arizona Posts: 2,766 Likes: 0 Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Motorwheels questions? You HAVE to buy Gibbs Penetrating fluid if you have magnesium parts! __________________ Jeff Lee 7494 D/S '70 AMX

08-03-2013, 11:06 PM	#7
lynn engels Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: watertown s,dak. Posts: 116 Likes: 0 Liked 152 Times in 26 Posts	Re: Motorwheels questions? why mess around , have bogart build you a pr. theyll look just like motorwheels and he was also very reasonable. then tell me how to chg . pic size and i will post some pictures.