[VAC] Re: Split Rims '62 Bambi (New Rims Question)

["Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer" <geraldj@xxxxxxxxxx>]

These things are vital to selecting new rims.

1. bolt circle diameter
2. center diameter
3. rim diameter
4. rim width
5. offset.

2 has to fit the hub to center the rim.
1 has to fit the studs
3 and 4 have to fit the tire, and tire fits on VAC is very critical. It
often takes a couple tries to find a tire that will actually fit in the
wheel well, VAC fits are closer than the tolerances tire makers would
demand.
5 is where the mounting plane of the rim fits the brake drum and moves
the tire in and out, part of the fit of tire to wheel well. In VAC its
especially critical. Rims are available in a multiplicity of offsets and
good rim makers can make any offset needed.

Take the old rims to a good tire shop that sells rims and come home with
new rims, but better yet take the Bambi so when they install a tire by
the book that won't fit the wheel well, that they are the first to find
out about it and can try different tires with the same nominal
dimensions. If you take rims only you may have to make multiple trips to
get the right sized tires. On the road you don't want to find out that
you have to deflate the spare to mount it. A flat spare often isn't much
help unless you have a good air source along the road with you.

Gerald J.