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Posted by: ValcoOscar Mar 19 2019, 04:13 PM

In the works....

I like these steering wheels with RS / GT type centers but even the 360mm Dia wheels are a tad big IMO

Honey...I'm shrinking my steering wheel.

To be continued.....


Oscar

Posted by: mb911 Mar 19 2019, 04:21 PM

Looks great.. I like it.

Posted by: Dion Mar 19 2019, 04:35 PM

Nice going Oscar!

Posted by: dr914@autoatlanta.com Mar 19 2019, 04:41 PM

wow what talent! Now are you going to cover it with leather? Another neat thing to do would be to paint it the color of the 914 (no I did not say that)

Posted by: ValcoOscar Mar 19 2019, 05:11 PM

YES..leather wrapping after paint (Blk)



Oscar

Posted by: ndfrigi Mar 19 2019, 05:27 PM

good job and nicely done again sir Oscar!

Posted by: 914_7T3 Mar 19 2019, 05:41 PM

Looking good Oscar!

Hope you didn't shrink the wrong wheel by mistake....

Posted by: wes Mar 19 2019, 05:41 PM

I like it, shows talent.

Posted by: Cairo94507 Mar 19 2019, 06:16 PM

Excellent job Oscar. I really like it. Wish I would have thought of that before I had my steering wheel done.

Posted by: pete000 Mar 19 2019, 06:59 PM

I have the same problem with the diameter. I cant fit the car with the large stock wheel. I have to switch to a MoMo to be able to drive the 914.

I love the proper look of the four spoke GT wheel, but its to big. I like your solution and would be all over a Group buy !

Can you make one for the factory Six column ???

Posted by: sixnotfour Mar 19 2019, 07:05 PM

too funny , left overs are always useful..


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Posted by: 914-300Hemi Mar 19 2019, 07:09 PM

Always amazing Work Oscar

Posted by: drem914 Mar 19 2019, 07:54 PM

Great Job Oscar! Glad to see you this weekend in El Segundo. Always amazed at all the different projects you are involved with.

Posted by: Larmo63 Mar 19 2019, 07:59 PM

Very clever...........!

Posted by: LS1V8Jerry Mar 19 2019, 08:40 PM

Looks like it needs a car to go on !!!

Posted by: ValcoOscar Mar 19 2019, 09:39 PM

More photos showing size differences.

Opted not to modify look to much...sorry purists


Oscar

Posted by: Retroracer Mar 19 2019, 09:55 PM

Looks great Oscar! How did you roll the outer? More pics pls!

- Tony

Posted by: gereed75 Mar 19 2019, 10:21 PM

Yes very cool. I have been thinking of a similar project and was going to make the wheel from scratch, never thought of using a stock wheel as a core, duh!

Also curious how you made or sourced the outside rim?

Thanks for posting

Posted by: defianty Mar 20 2019, 02:33 AM

I like this a lot - great job. I too wish I'd thought of it before having my original one recovered.

Posted by: Mark Henry Mar 20 2019, 05:50 AM

Likely some place like this:
http://www.jorgensonrolling.com/Rings_and_Flanges.html

Very cool, I'm collecting parts to do the /6 ignition switch mod, I have a Momo but I like this idea better.
But then it's hard for a cheap ass like me to spring for the hockey puck.

Posted by: sb914 Mar 20 2019, 06:14 AM

Nice job Oscar!

Posted by: jim_hoyland Mar 20 2019, 07:26 AM

What creativity ! A sharkskin covering might enhance the grip...

Posted by: ValcoOscar Mar 20 2019, 08:27 AM

It took me several attempts and unfortunately I scrapped out two steering wheels in the process.

I played with different rim diameters until I settled on 340mm with 30mm grip. Tried .875 and 1.125 tubing but didn't care for look or feel. Too cartoonish. I didn't want to distort the overall look of the wheel. I also toyed with milling holes on all four spokes...looked good but I felt it weakened wheel so I tossed it. At the end I slotted the newly rolled rim and inserted reshaped spokes prior to tig welding. I would not recommend mig welding. Result was a stout modified wheel that felt right. I will share more photos once I finish paint and leather wrapping.

oh yeah...I formed tube ring in house but there are many metal rolling houses out there. I have a single seam on my finished ring. I tried welding two halves but not happy with results.

I need a few more for my other cars so If there is enough interest maybe I could do a very limited GB so we can leverage cost of leather wrapping.

Your thoughts?

Oscar

Posted by: gereed75 Mar 20 2019, 08:43 AM

My plan was to cut the rim portion out of flat stock and then laminate both side with some clear white pine to achieve a round cross section. The maybe advantage would be that you could replicate the blended rim to spoke transition of the stock wheel.

Additional advantage would be ease of MIG welding the flat circular rim to the flat spokes. It will all be covered.

Was also considering a slight center offset of maybe 3/4 to 1 inch to get added thigh clearance.

I have one of 914 Rubbers last plastic hockey puck cores from their aborted attempts to replicate the original. Not perfect but workable.

This has motivated me to get out my collection of steering wheel parts and get the project going. I would be in on a group covering buy.

Posted by: Mark Henry Mar 20 2019, 08:46 AM

Maybe offer it as a finished wheel and also as a DIY kit.

Posted by: ValcoOscar Mar 20 2019, 08:49 AM

I like this!!!! "Was also considering a slight center offset of maybe 3/4 to 1 inch to get added thigh clearance."



Perhaps,

Oscar

Posted by: 11tenths Mar 20 2019, 02:44 PM

The offset idea is great for us tall guys-

JWest offers an eccentric wheel mount of 12mm vert and 16mm closer mounting;

http://www.jwesteng.com/shop/914/15-steering-eccentric-adapter.html#

I had to go with a MOMO and removable adapter to easily get in&out, but miss the look of the orig.

Keep up the good work Oscar- you're a valuable resource for us all.

-Harry

Posted by: 914Sixer Mar 20 2019, 07:57 PM

Here is a 911 candidate for you. 911 347 082 00 8/72


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Posted by: ValcoOscar Mar 20 2019, 08:13 PM

I can use it....thx

Pm sent

Oscar

Posted by: burton73 Mar 20 2019, 09:50 PM

Hi Oscar,

I have been thinking of your steering wheel and wanted to point out some observation’s.

The new style wheel has a deeper offset and when you make them this way with the ring you lose the finger indents.

Now I am not passing judgments on that as far as whether or not it is better, but I do notice that it is not there. As an inventor in the plastic business for so many years I always think of things like this.

Maybe that's not there for a reason. A wheel could be poured in a casting urethane with the indents molded in and set to a given weight by using light fillers like micro balloons.

I am more than happy to go over this with you if you like.

Best regards,

Bob Burton

Posted by: whitetwinturbo Mar 20 2019, 10:29 PM

Posted by: porschetub Mar 21 2019, 01:02 PM

Great idea,like the larger diameter rim should have a great feel when covering is on,think it was on Pelican a guy used a 944 outer rim and 911 spokes.
I have a double wrapped wheel with hockey puck but I'am tall so found it a pain getting in and out of the car,I swapped out to a smaller aftermarket wheel with Momo adaptor but it is smaller diameter rim and not as good to hold...a trade off really.

Posted by: ValcoOscar Mar 22 2019, 04:40 PM

Appreciate your input Bob. Here's my version of finger indents with the help of my P50 Piranha iron worker.


Oscar

Posted by: TravisNeff Mar 23 2019, 07:32 AM

This is outstanding Oscar! I love the look of the GT wheel, but don't like how thin the stock wheel is and is large it is, like a tractor or an old 50's pickup.

I like the version without the finger indents. Trying to replicate that completely would be very, very difficult.

Posted by: sixnotfour Mar 23 2019, 10:18 AM

heres my modified Rial.... 370mm ,,,,914ish fashion its sprayed with bed liner..

or is it a Racemark , I did both


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Posted by: gereed75 Jan 21 2020, 07:02 PM

Here’s my version. Different approach than Oscars. A bit smaller (13.5” OD) and I offset mine up about 3/4 inch.

Posted by: ValcoOscar Feb 9 2020, 07:46 PM

One finished....

30mm Grip/1.25" w leather covering
340mm Diameter/ 13.5"
40mm/1.5" Dished deeper than stock



Oscar

Posted by: sb914 Feb 9 2020, 08:03 PM

That deserves a Oscar !

Posted by: 914Sixer Feb 9 2020, 09:16 PM

Looking good

Posted by: sixnotfour Feb 9 2020, 11:40 PM

That deserves an Oscar


mines full alloy

Posted by: wes Feb 9 2020, 11:51 PM

Very nice, you’re talent amazes me Oscar.

Posted by: ValcoOscar May 20 2020, 10:28 PM

Finished one of my modified steering wheels for a special Bay Area member. Hope he likes it

Oscar

Posted by: RickS May 20 2020, 11:52 PM

Really nice work.

Posted by: Cairo94507 May 21 2020, 06:54 AM

That looks terrific Oscar. They should be very pleased.

Posted by: 914forme May 21 2020, 06:21 PM

Glad to see this moving forward, and well I like it a lot. If you GB some, let me know. I have a hockey puck looking for a good home.

Posted by: SO.O.C914er May 21 2020, 06:38 PM

You never cease to amaze me Oscar! Your thinking and your resources are off the chart! ..... Paul

Posted by: infraredcalvin Jun 28 2020, 10:09 AM

Oscar, that looks great, proportions are really spot on for such a small diameter wheel. I’d love to see pics installed.

I need another wheel like a hole in my head, but I’d also be interested in the group buy pricing if going that way...

Posted by: wes Jun 28 2020, 02:48 PM

Excellent Oscar! I just Installed my stock size double rapped hokey puck wheel and although it looks great it’s just to big and not sure what my next move will be.

Posted by: tygaboy Jun 29 2020, 07:32 AM

I got to see/sit in/grab the wheel Oscar sent to the lucky Northern CA member (not me).

Let me say: It's totally awesome. Looks great, feels great. Really great quality work all around.

If you're thinking about one, you can stop thinking. Get one. You'll love it!

Posted by: silverg Jun 29 2020, 07:47 AM

Great looking wheel
I have a donor wheel and a puck ready for your mod if you will do it.

Posted by: Andyrew Jun 29 2020, 07:53 AM

Not sure how I missed this,
Great wheel!!! Good job Oscar!!

Posted by: gereed75 Jun 29 2020, 08:09 AM

Oscar, I really like the 13.5 inch diameter and I think most everyone that try’s one will like it also. I was shooting for 1.25 thick but with padding and leather wrap it ended up a bit thicker.

Are you padding and what did you use?

Can’t quite tell what stitch you used from the pictures

This was a fun project but I will not do another one. The stitching ( I used the basic cross stitch) took way longer and was much harder than I anticipated. Sore hands for a day or two.

Nice work.

PS - the bumper I got from you looks great, I’ll post a couple of installed pix in a separate thread. Thanks

Posted by: ValcoOscar Jun 29 2020, 09:52 AM

Thank you for your interest....

I’m currently in the middle of a small chrome bumper run, so once that is done I can consider offering GB on my modified Steering Wheels.

Oscar

Posted by: djway Jul 1 2020, 10:02 PM

Hey Oscar
Did you forget about my bumpers??

Posted by: ValcoOscar Jul 1 2020, 11:04 PM

Yes, forgot. I sent you email so you can bring your notchback bumpers to me this weekend.

Oscar

Posted by: ValcoOscar Feb 13 2021, 06:09 PM

Back at this...now I'm adding thumb rests after modification (340mm dia). More work, but much better feel.

Here is also a Stock size wheel I just refinished for a SoCal member.

4 more in process now.

Wish me luck....

O

Posted by: sixnotfour Feb 13 2021, 06:15 PM

Nice work,,,,I love 370 ??

Posted by: ClayPerrine Feb 13 2021, 06:21 PM

Oscar,

That is some impressive work. But frankly, I like the stock wheel on our 914s. It doesn't block the gauges, and it adds some extra leverage when turning.

I had a friend who runs a 914 in AX tell me I needed to put a smaller wheel on my car. But he is 6' tall and I am 5'5" tall. So I don't need the smaller wheel.

If it helps you fit better and you like it, cool.

Sometimes it is good to be short.

Clay

Posted by: Cairo94507 Feb 14 2021, 09:20 AM

Wow- Oscar that is a beautiful wheel- well done.




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Posted by: gereed75 Feb 14 2021, 09:55 AM

Really nice Oscar

Did you do the leather work or send it out.? Mine came out OK but not great. Not as nice as yours. For those who haven’t done it, the leather stitching is LOTS of work.

I am happy with the leverage provided by the smaller wheel 13.5”. Not a problem effort wise on my 205/15 wheels. If you are running a GT with bigger tires it would be heavier but still OK I think.