Minilite pre 1967 with inner groove 10x4.5"

[1977 Loud_Mini]

Hi all, I have 5 magnesium minilite wheels in 10x4.5"
They are the pre 1967 type with an inner groove. Can anyone provide me with any information about them, why they have the groove, how rare they are and possible valuation?



Thanks,
Evan.

[Pete]

They're a rarity alright, the groove was to enable the fitment of balance weights I seem to recall ? As for value, that's a toughy because most will only use original mags for display purposes.

[1977 Loud_Mini]

Ohh I see, that seems like it could well be true. Hadn't ever really thought of that Thanks. Yeah I thought most people would do, due to the condition of maglites etc.

Evan.

[mk1]

The grooves were indeed for the fitment of clip on weights, not something anyone would recommend with Magnesium wheels. I guess this is why the grooves were dropped fairly early on.

[sclemow]

You could make them usable and therefore more valuable if you had them crack tested.

When I did mine, I was recommended Dymag by TechDel who in turn recommended Griffs Motorcycle Services to crack test and refinish them.
Dymag used to be used by techdel for crack testing. It may be worth contacting Dymag. At the time they didn't have sufficient resource for outside jobs but this may have changed.

http://www.dymag.com/
http://www.realitymotorworks.com/

HTH

[1977 Loud_Mini]

Thanks for the information regarding the clip on weights, I'm glad to finally realise what the grooves are for

I had contacted minilite regarding crack testing for these over 2-3 years ago, and I'm fairly sure they said there's either no point or that they wouldn't do it. I will contact those places and see what they say. I however had been using the pictured wheels for around 2-3 years with no issues at all, despite the bad look of corrosion on the inner circumference.

Evan.

[Ant Hines]

Steve Turner ( ex Dymag) now has a wheel refurbishing business in Wilts. He can crack test and re-chromate mag wheels. Very reasonably priced too.

http://tpcs-magnesium-refurbs.co.uk

[mk1]

As Ant eludes, The Chromate finish on a Mag wheel is far more important than the paint.

Personally I would NEVER Powder coat Magnesium wheels, as IMHO the powder coat traps any moisture under the coating & it is given free rain to run & run seriously damaging the wheel.

[1977 Loud_Mini]

Thankyou very much for the information, i'll be sure to contact them.

Much appreciated,

Evan.

[sclemow]

Any chance that you could report what you find?

I, for one, am very interested with magnesium wheels for my mini and magnesium wheels for my single seater.

Thanks

Simon

[1977 Loud_Mini]

I've just had an email back from http://tpcs-magnesium-refurbs.co.uk
They apparently have had 2 or 3 sets just refurbished this week and another set arrived, so they can re paint/ refurb magnesium minilites. I'm just awaiting prices.

Evan.

[1977 Loud_Mini]

Dymag have replied too, they offer full refurbishment which includes a full crack check, paint strip, blast, and re-paint service. Their price is £354.80 per wheel. Seems quite high to me.

Evan.

[mk1]

£354.80 per wheel!

Bi Jeebus! That's expensive

[rich@minispares.com]

£354.80 per wheel!

Bi Jeebus! That's expensive

I think that's 'trade speak' for 'we are not really interested!'

[sclemow]

yowsers!

[1977 Loud_Mini]

Hahah yeah very expensive. I know who I WON'T be going with to get my wheels refurbished

Evan.

[In the shed]

Seconded about the chromating.

I'm surprised it hasn't been banned as chromates are pretty nasty chemicals