I had some new 195-65R15's put on my 72 Friday. It is my local mechanic's shop and he always lets me help with the tire work. I watched him balance the tires/wheels. it took a LOT of weights to balance out. He noted that every one of the Riviera wheels had a slight wobble to them, side to side wobble. HE got them to balance. It drives perfectly smooth at 55mph but when I get up around 60-65 there is some slight shake that I can feel in the ride. I don't suppose there is anything that can be done to "straighten" the wheels?

You can get those wheels too cheap to consider repair on them. Look for new ones or a set of Fuchs. I see sets of Riv's on Craig's list all the time for around $200...

get new/different. post a want to buy for some form-vees. essentially the same if you like the style but have they better back spacing. i had a wheel disaster yest. check out the Cip1 web site. 195/65 with the shorter back spacing it can be a little 'tight'.

k

Cut out the centers and use them for a custom set of 7" and 8" wheels.

I've used these wheels on a couple of my cars and they were all difficult to balance. They required lots of weights to get them right. Also because the offset isn't the same as the factory wheels you'll get some bump steer.

I agree that the repair costs outweigh the benefits but google your question for some entertainment. It came up here a while back and IIRC there were some youtube videos showing the process'. They damages ranged from bends, chips, cracks and you name it. The repair techniques themselves varied greatly but one stuck out in my mind. Obviously this videos was in a 3rd world country but regardless this guy heats a mag rim with a oxy/acy "pear burner" tip then grabs a hand held mask and strikes a weld with some old cracker box arc welder and beats it into submission. I then realized there are several ways to do any job. The more money you have for tools, the easier the job. Hijack over.

These balanced fine. Maybe it's the manufacturer's QC these days ... these were made by American Racing ...

... and are currently for sale ... (tires not included).
Click here ... See Item # 4

Click to view attachment



Also, when balancing, check to see if the tires are marked on the sidewall with the 'light' or 'heavy' side ( I forget which). Look for a colored 'dot'.

Check the balance of the wheel and mark the 'light' side it prior to mounting the tire. Rotate the tire to align the mark on the tire with the mark on the wheel and inflate. Check the balance and note the weights that it needs. Next, deflate the tire and rotate it 180 degrees and check the balance again.

Use the tire position that requires the fewest amount of weights.

you don't know what you are getting off of craigslist either though. YOu would about have to buy new or from a trustworthy person.

where are some sites where I can find sets of wheels? What is the official spacing of the 4 lug 914 wheel?