Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Moto Lita steering wheels

Chaps

Any advice on replacement steering wheels ? My 1986 4/4 has the standard 15" wheel, flat spokes, and so I was going to get a 15" Moto Lita wooden rim, but wondered :-
- what are the wood rims like on long journeys - do they make driving hard work ? or your palms ache ?
- should I go for a smaller size (14") or stick with 15" ?
- presumed I should stay with a flat design rather than dished ?
- Any alternative to Moto Lita ?

Any other experiences of these you'd care to share ?

Matthew

Matthew,
I have a moto lita with the leather bound rim which I find comfortable. It is also off centre, the bottom spoke is shorter than the other two & that gives more leg room whilst allowing a 15 inch wheel for "power steering"!!!

Matthew,
I have a 14in Motolita with leather bound rim - it is much better imho than the wooden on any length of journey. Mine is also offset so the instruments are still in view. I have a removable boss from Steve Simmonds which I use as a security measure (difficult to pinch the car sans wheel!!!) I also recommend the Mulberry Steering bearings which make the steering light at slow speeds and thus there is no need for the 15in wheel!

Cheers!

Matthew,
if it helps you can see part of my wheel in the morgan photo gallery under aeroscreens.

My 4/4 has a motalita wheel, I use it without a cover and generally it is fine even on long runs (200 miles/day), Morgans bereft of power assistance to the steering are subject to variability depending on how tight and well lubricated it all is, I dislike the standard padded wheel because a bit of load and I can bend it just getting in and out of the car, I prefer the feel of the Motalita but in the end only you can decide if it suits you, mine suits me and looks better on a trad as well, so I'd say go for it!

My plus 8 had a wooden Motalita. On a couple of long tours down to Italy and France in reasonably hot weather I found my hands getting a bit sore by the end of the day. i am going to have the leather bound Motalita on my new +4. On the test drive I took it had a much more comfortable grip

Matthew,
where are you based? If in the Bucks / Herts area pm me and you can come and try my leather wheel assmuming you have insurance.
John

Thanks for the offer John, but I'm in Herefordshire, not Hertfordshire, so can't quite pop over for a trial.

I haven't noticed the flatter-bottomed MotoLita's and this would definately help as I find getting in and out a pain.

I've not heard of Mulberry Steering bearings so I'll check these out.

thanks all

matthew

I think you meant Mulfab.... see link.

http://www.mulfab.co.uk/html/_steering_bearing.html

Cereal
My fault, I Think as I referred to them as such!!!I have them and it is one of the very best "Farkles" I have done to my car.

Cheers!