914 to RSR steering wheel-part 4: going ahead

[GeorgeK]

I have finished the leather stitching on my project steering wheel. The 2 layers are on tight, with no creases. So now for a trial fit of all the pieces of the puzzle. This what I was aiming for:



This is where I am now:



A detail of the spacer:



Now I need to tap the spacer, attach the splined hub and horn holder ring to it, and design a horn contact, as the original is now one spacer's width too short. Then I'll sandblast the spacer, and paint it flat black. Stay tuned!

[Glasgow 911SC]

Nice work George. I don't have the skill or patience for detail work like this.

[Jim Richards]

Looks great George. I have a 914-6 steering wheel that I plan on recovering (with 2 layers for that RS look and feel) when time permits. When you wrapped your wheel with 2 layers of leather, do the two layers of stitching on the inside of the wheel feel right? Does it create a large ridge or did you use some special approach to this? Thanks!

[GeorgeK]

Hi Jim,
the problem area is not the stitching inside the wheel, rather the place here you "close the circle" at the bottom of the wheel. It creates a hump, even is you thin the leatherbefore sewing. There are ways around this, but labor intensive.
The inner rim stitching is not bothersome at all.

[Jim Richards]

Thanks George. Once again, your leather wrapping looks great.

[JWest]

George, which horn contact finger are you using?

There are both 44mm and 73mm versions, so if you have the 44mm maybe the factory 73mm will work for you with your spacer?

[GeorgeK]

James,
I did not know about that. Do you have a part number?

[JWest]

Here is the part number for the 73mm contact pin:

914 347 832 00

It is listed in "a certain software package" as being used in the early 911 with an "extended hub steering wheel."

It was also (as you can tell by the part number) used on the early 914-4.

[Scott Clarke]

George-
You mention tapping the spacer. Do you intend to use threaded fasteners in lieu of the rivets used originally? You project has inspired me to do something similar. I'm making two 1/4" spacers so that I can do the work without the assistance of a machinist. I was wondering if you found any rivets that might be similar to those used originally, only longer.
-Scott

[GeorgeK]

Scott,
I have found shops that will do me rivets. The finish on the heads might be different, and I like the idea of doing as much as I can myself. If I can, then everyone can.
Technically, the spacer being 20 mm, I'll drill the holes and tap them to 5 mm. then I'll use 10mm long screws, with loctite, to attach the wheel on one side and the splined hub on the other. the horn button ring takes 3 mm screws.