John Brown Wheels

[Mark]

Hi all

Had a set of JBW minilite's on the Vitesse for several years and very happy with the fit and how well they have stood up to the elements. Fitted M12 studs to Gt6, Vitesse, and the wheels fit with no problems using 60 degree open ended wheel nuts.

Seriously thinking of buying a set of their equivalent 4 spoke revolutions style wheel, Revolite's 6 x 13 for the Gt6. Original 4 spoke Revolutions rarely come up in 3.75/ 95.25mm PCD, and  need sleeved nuts and not sure if the original Revo wheel could accommodate m12 studs on wheels made with the Triumph PCD. 

Also remember reading somewhere that there were some clearance issues with new revolutions fitted to some small chassis Triumphs.

Anyone fitted JBW Revolites to a small chassis Triumph?

[RedRooster]

Thought John Brown was a make of tracteur, this could be interesting. 

[yorkshire_spam]

Sorry, can't help on the Revolites, I have JBW Minilites on the Spitfire though - very happy with those. 

[Escadrille Ecosse]

I remember comments about Revolutions on the small Triumphs although I can't remember what the clearance issue was, bulkhead or calipers.

However I suspect that the geometry of the old 'genuine' Minilites and Revolutions was slightly different; offset, rim clearance, etc given that they were different manufacturers.

However looking at the JBW website the dimensions for the Minilites and Revolites as identical and given they are the same manufacturer I would be pretty confident if one fits the other will.

I had to look up what wheel 'poke' meant

[Nick Jones]

14 minutes ago, Escadrille Ecosse said:

I can't remember what the clearance issue was, bulkhead or calipers.

I think it was on the top wishbones (of all things). Cured with 5mm spacers.

ET20 when needs to be 16?

[Escadrille Ecosse]

8 minutes ago, Nick Jones said:

I think it was on the top wishbones (of all things)

Ah. Makes sense. The genuine Revolutions I have on the Scimitar are very thick on the inner rim which would do it.

[Gt64fun]

14 minutes ago, Nick Jones said:

I think it was on the top wishbones (of all things). Cured with 5mm spacers.

ET20 when needs to be 16?

Agreed. This is what I have on my GT6 Mk2. The inner edge of the rim is quite square and conflicts the top outer end of the wishbones. I tried relieving the wishbones a tad, but it wasn't enough.

Apparently (?) some cars don't need a spacer!

It's a shame that the Revolutions are nor offered with different ETs. Presumably just the machining of the cast blank.

Ian

[Escadrille Ecosse]

2 minutes ago, Gt64fun said:

It's a shame that the Revolutions are nor offered with different ETs. Presumably just the machining of the cast blank.

Is it the genuine Revolutions or the Revolites you have Ian?

The JBW Minilites and Revolites have the same ET. It's the old 'genuine' and unavailable Revolutions that are ET20.

25 minutes ago, Nick Jones said:

ET20 when needs to be 16?

The JBW wheels are ET16. Both types.

Hence my comment that if the JBW Minilites fit then I would expect their Revolites to fit also.

[Nick Jones]

2 hours ago, Escadrille Ecosse said:

The JBW wheels are ET16. Both types.

Hence my comment that if the JBW Minilites fit then I would expect their Revolites to fit also.

Ok, agreed.

I think there may be some intermediate Revo styles @ ET20, which are neither the true originals (which did fit without spacers) or the current Revolites which should (at ET16) fit without spacers.

[Gt64fun]

3 hours ago, Escadrille Ecosse said:

Is it the genuine Revolutions or the Revolites you have Ian?

Modern reproduction 13 x 5.5" Revolutions from Rimmers or Canleys in 2011.

Fitted with tapered seat nuts on M12 studs. I had sleeve nuts on my previous set of Cobra Superslots and found them a bit of a PITA.

Ian

[Escadrille Ecosse]

They're very nice. Suit the car.

Agree about the sleeve nuts. Have them for the 15" X 6" on the Scimitar. They are bloody heavy and getting the nut to start on the stud is a real pain.

Revolution still do 13x5.5 for the small chassis cars. But significantly more expensive than the JBW version.

[Escadrille Ecosse]

1 hour ago, Nick Jones said:

I think there may be some intermediate Revo styles @ ET20, which are neither the true originals (which did fit without spacers) or the current Revolites which should (at ET16) fit without spacers.

To fair Nick, Revolution like the genuine Minilite used to have what they called road and competition versions of their wheels. The competion wheels supposedly being lighter. As these were apparently still aluminium alloy and not magnesium one can only assume this was achieved by thining down the rim section.

Might be this giving differences in fit.

Edited October 29, 2024 by Escadrille Ecosse

[Mark]

Thanks all

Revolutions do look good on a gt6. Very Nice looking car. Can't see 4 spoke revo's listed at Rimmer Brothers. Think the Revolite's are a good price.

Their minilite's come in three different offsets ET20 for the 5", ET25 for the 5.5 and ET16 for the 6". The 6" Revolites are ET16. Think i have the 5" on the Vitesse, so ET20 no markings visable on the outside so need to remove a wheel and have s look.

Finally had the hernia op a couple of weeks ago so no jacking up cars at the moment. 

[Nick Jones]

Note that unlike offset and set-back, the ET number is influenced by the wheel width. I always need to use an online calculator to figure it out.

FWIW, I do know that ET13 on a 6” rim is pretty much perfect on a Vitesse but a not quite enough on the front of a square tail GT6 or Spitfire.

[Escadrille Ecosse]

33 minutes ago, Mark said:

Finally had the hernia op a couple of weeks ago so no jacking up cars at the moment. 

Wise decision. 

27 minutes ago, Nick Jones said:

FWIW, I do know that ET13 on a 6” rim is pretty much perfect on a Vitesse but a not quite enough on the front of a square tail GT6 or Spitfire.

But of course 

[Mark]

53 minutes ago, Nick Jones said:

Note that unlike offset and set-back, the ET number is influenced by the wheel width.

I got it wrong, what I thought were ET figures on the wheel specs are actually listed as offset sizes, I thought they were the same thing.

[PaulAA]

2 hours ago, Nick Jones said:

Note that unlike offset and set-back, the ET number is influenced by the wheel width.

As in, the distance in mm (+ or -) from the centreline of the wheel, irrespective of actual wheel width, correct?

I regularly struggle with this concept and corroboration would be much appreciated 

Paul

[Nick Jones]

1 hour ago, PaulAA said:

As in, the distance in mm (+ or -) from the centreline of the wheel, irrespective of actual wheel width, correct?

That’s my understanding.

[Mark]

Was going to go for Revolite's, then saw an set of 4 old revolutions 5.5 x 13 on ebay. Look straight in the photos will need a repaint and polish. Placed a bid and won for £122.00 Will need wheel nuts. I'll post a pic when they arrive. 

[Nick Jones]

A bargain if they’re ok!

[Escadrille Ecosse]

On 11/5/2024 at 11:40 AM, Nick Jones said:

A bargain if they’re ok!

Very much so.

[Mark]

This should probably be in the "Today I bollocks" thread.

Revolution Wheels arrived today, well packaged, always a good sign, and in reasonable condition for a set of old alloys.

Had a spare hub with studs in the shed, offered up the wheel, and bo**ocks, not the correct PCD

Whipped a steel wheel off the gt6 fitted with m12 studs, just in case the studs in the spare hub weren't true. Revolution wheel slid onto the studs but Unfortunately all off centre.

They were advertised as unknown fitment, but the seller had added a note that he had been advised from another ebayer that they were for Spitfire, gt6, based on the photos,  one in particular showing a tape measure across opposite holes, which looked to me like 95mm. I did have a gut feeling that I was taking a chance but thought it was worth the risk for the price.

I measured a PCD of 100, might have to buy a car that fit the wheels when I find out what car/cars that is. I do love 4 spoke revolutions, so probaby hang onto them for now.

[zetecspit]

100mm PCD is very common. VW group, jap stuff, all sorts. 

[Escadrille Ecosse]

Bummer...