2 Piece Fuchs Repro?

Buff Harsh · 12-06-2005, 11:50 AM

ANYONE EVER HEARD OF A 2 PIECE OR "SPLIT" FUCHS 15" REPRO WHEEL??? HAVE NOT SEEN THEM IN PERSON BUT THEY LOOK REAL YET OWNER SAUD GUY AT TIRE SHOP SAID THEY WERE HARD TO MOUNT TIRES ON BECAUSE THEY WERE 2 PIECE.... ANY INSIGHT?

Early_S_Man · 12-06-2005, 12:38 PM

Compomotive used to make some 3-piece 15" and 16" wheels with Fuchs-style centers in the 1980s ... the 20 Allen bolts around the periphery of the center didn't look too bad on black centers, but some critics objected. From what I recall talking to the rep in PA ... he said the centers had to come apart to mount or dismount tires. That is probably what the tire shop was referring to ...

Buff Harsh · 12-06-2005, 01:00 PM

Warren- thanks- I think this is what we are talking about- Do you happen to know if there is weight advantage to this type wheel over the usual cast reproductions? I wonder if the rim is forged on this style?

Early_S_Man · 12-06-2005, 01:13 PM

Buff,

Yes, there is considerable weight savings over cast wheels! The centers were cast, but, the outer rims were spun aluminum, and rather fragile when it came to curbs!

Buff Harsh · 12-06-2005, 01:28 PM

Great news- I feel much better now. I have read quite a bit on the problems with most cast repros. Heavy and brittle etc. etc. Would these be more or less desirable that original Fuchs to an everyday driver? Should I trade them to someone who autocrosses for some originals? Thanks for the help.

RarlyL8 · RarlyL8's Garage

I run a set of Compomotive 3-peice Fuch centered 15" wheels. Mounting tires on them is no different than any other wheel. I don't know what you fellas mean by that, why would you need to take the wheel apart to mount a tire?

Jack Olsen · 12-06-2005, 08:33 PM

Different companies have been making 3-piece wheels with Fuchs centers for a long time. You can also get 2-piece wheels made -- the centers from the Fuchs are welded into one-piece barrels.

Early_S_Man · 12-06-2005, 09:09 PM

Rarly,

I spoke to the USA distributor in 1988 via phone [Excellence ad] ... and he indicated that the outer rim pieces were highly susceptible to damage from tire-changing machines in the hands of inexperienced techs. Special instructions were being inserted in the shipping boxes to that effect, and the suggestion was to disassemble the halves after the bead had been broken from both sides. I assume that he was trying to avoid future complaints. He did indicate that several customer complaints had already occured.

Nickatnyt · 12-06-2005, 11:57 PM

Dog is thinking...'Hmmm - nice shiny wheel to pee on later!'

I wish I had a set of those bad ass wheels and tires.

RarlyL8 · RarlyL8's Garage

I gotcha Warren.
Lot of work to go to, I just watch the guys while they do the work and supervise their every move. The next set of tires will go on using the new "no touch" machines. Pretty slick.

As for Compomotive, I'm sure customer complaints were not unusual for them. Terrible service.