DCZ1643 Posted June 26, 2018 Report Share Posted June 26, 2018 Hi All.... I am looking to replace the steering wheel on my 1974 1300 Spitfire. The one on it is not original and is in poor condition. I am going to replace it with a leather steering wheel but they seem to come in a few different diameters and either dished or flat, I am not sure which one to go for. The wheel on the car is a flat 13 inch wheel but I am wondering if a 14 inch wheel would be better and does it matter if it is dished or flat? I would be interested to know what other people have fitted to their Spitfires. Cheers....Derek Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Cooper Posted June 26, 2018 Report Share Posted June 26, 2018 Hi Derek, Welcome to the forum. I have a 14 inch flat wheel on mine and I'm very happy with it. Regards Adrian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCZ1643 Posted June 26, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 26, 2018 Thanks Adrian..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted June 26, 2018 Report Share Posted June 26, 2018 For leg clearance, if you're vertically advantaged like I am, then semi-dished is a help. Mine is a 13" semi-dished and gives about an inch more clearance above the thighs. I had a 14" flat (in fact I once had a 15" flat off an old Opel!) and couldn't even get into the car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted June 26, 2018 Report Share Posted June 26, 2018 Theres a fomula somewhere for your BMI and how many shreaded wheat you need for breaky. Pete 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougbgt6 Posted June 26, 2018 Report Share Posted June 26, 2018 I have a 14" flat, for me 13" makes the steering too heavy. Dished or flat depends on the length of your extremities. Best to get down to club night and sit in other peoples cars. db Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AidanT Posted June 26, 2018 Report Share Posted June 26, 2018 13" is for those with a bit of muscle ? ???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted June 26, 2018 Report Share Posted June 26, 2018 Dont tell Doug he will think its the other forum An inch makes a lot of difference Pete 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gully Posted June 26, 2018 Report Share Posted June 26, 2018 The Moto-lita on mine is slightly over the 14" and flat. Having had to shuffle the GT6 around the car park at the local meet last night, I really wouldn't want to go smaller with 175/70 tyres! Gully Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShaunW Posted June 26, 2018 Report Share Posted June 26, 2018 Dished or flat simply depends on how long your legs are compared to your arms. Sit comfy and see where you'd like the rim. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted June 26, 2018 Report Share Posted June 26, 2018 I have a flat-bottomed, 13" flat wheel. Some expensive Italian hobbies I picked up, works with the smaller type of boss. Very comfy, good clearance and not too heavy with spitfire rack (less turns lock to lock than gt6) and 185 tyres. Ok, takes a little effort if stationary, which is not a good idea anyway but sometimes needs must etc, but good when driving. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShaunW Posted June 26, 2018 Report Share Posted June 26, 2018 Aside from practicality which doesn't really apply (otherwise you'd have a modern car) then it's small steering wheels on a sporty/young man's motor and big on a bus/old man's motor isn't it? ? Or is that just my impression having read so many custom car mags while I was an impressionable youth. Wood wheels are often need to be bigger because they're so darn slippery. My leather one (flat 12") is getting a bit shiny but fine still even with the bigger engine over the wheels. Seriously, how much maneuvering are you planning on doing? How twitchy do you want it at speed is the other question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShaunW Posted June 26, 2018 Report Share Posted June 26, 2018 Sounds nice Clive. If it looks good then it's worth an extra calorie of effort every now and then. Keeps you fit too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCZ1643 Posted June 26, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 26, 2018 Thanks for all of the replies guys. Taking note of some comments; I am the old man type (retired) and I am 6ft 3inches, so long legs and arms. Putting all of this together, I am thinking of going for a flat 14inch steering wheel. Any manufacturer recommendations? I note I can get a 14inch on eBay for about £120, this includes the boss and horn switch etc but I am not sure what the brand is. A Moto-Lita, including the boss from Rimmer Bros is about £216. Am I better of spending the extra on the one from Rimmer Bros? Cheers....Derek Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anglefire Posted June 26, 2018 Report Share Posted June 26, 2018 I bought a Moto-lita - its lovely to hold and looks the dogs danglies. ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCZ1643 Posted June 26, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 26, 2018 Thanks Mark.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Cooper Posted June 26, 2018 Report Share Posted June 26, 2018 I'm also 6' 3" and, like Mark, my flat 14" is a Mota-Lita wood rim wheel which at least one observer thinks is the best part of my car. I was a little concerned that a wooden wheel would transmit road vibrations and make the car tiring to drive but it's actually very comfortable to hold. For that reason I would recommend paying the extra rather than getting one of the cheaper versions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted June 26, 2018 Report Share Posted June 26, 2018 A quality wheel is always worth the extra. After all you are holding it all the time you are driving, and the cheap ones feel exactly that. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted June 27, 2018 Report Share Posted June 27, 2018 I put a springalex on the 2000 its well made and better price and a nice polished alloy horn push to match. Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anglefire Posted June 27, 2018 Report Share Posted June 27, 2018 10 hours ago, DCZ1643 said: Thanks Mark.... I should also say, I bought it when Rimmers had an offer on.......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougbgt6 Posted June 27, 2018 Report Share Posted June 27, 2018 Me too, same sale! Keep an eye on Rimmers, very occasionally they do have a good deal. db Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anglefire Posted June 27, 2018 Report Share Posted June 27, 2018 Yes it was all Doug's fault ? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougbgt6 Posted June 27, 2018 Report Share Posted June 27, 2018 Yes, the God's have punished me. There was a squeaking from the wheel, nothing rubbing but I realized I may have put the spring loaded horn "thingy" back in upside down. So yesterday I prised the centre push out, but instead of the whole mechanism coming out, the top cover pinged off! It's attached to the lower part by 3 plastic legs with tiny gripping teeth washers. All looks a bit flimsy to me, one leg came clean off and two of the washers broke. I don't think it's repairable. New caps or complete mechanisms are fortunately available from Mota Lita at surprisingly cheap prices. Makes me think this must happen quite often. Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul H Posted June 27, 2018 Report Share Posted June 27, 2018 2 hours ago, Pete Lewis said: I put a springalex on the 2000 its well made and better price and a nice polished alloy horn push to match. Pete I have a Springalex on my Vitesse and very happy with it though would like a triumph logo to replace the springalex. Can these be purchased Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted June 27, 2018 Report Share Posted June 27, 2018 springalex with polished horn , the push button is held together with screws no pingy plastic stuff in ere and its now got a TSSC motif badge on but i dont use it as horn is on a stalk ....shame no ring so cant see a conversion looming ...toot toot Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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