I am in the lenghty process of cleaning my Borranis the first time since 1986 (no comments please, I'm a keeper not a cleaner). As they are Italian and have alloy rims I can't take shortcuts (damage would be too expensive). I can't even use the wire wheel brushes, they scratch the alloy. Therefore Steve, if you should make your trial run to Switzerland I would have some relief for your disorder :-).
Besides the cleaning there is the problem of balancing wire wheels. They may be true for some years but with time they get worse and worse to the point where the balancing weights are heavier than the wheel. Trueing is not cheap at all and lasts not too long. Another method is buying a new set which isn't cheap either if you choose a brand which is known to last a bit longer - like I did. The cheapest way is to ignore the unbalance as many do and blame it on the "hard ride" of Morgans. Some of them even try to find out what I have done to the suspension after a ride in my car because they can't believe that it is only the wheels.
So Steve, in my humble opinion there is no reason to stick to wires except for aesthetic reasons - which are a matter of taste.
And first of all: enjoy!
Frank
