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Altered Riviera wheels.

FM Former Member
I have an old set of the original Riviera four lug rims, the ones with the round top spokes, no polished flats on the top, and WAY stronger castings than the current copies.

So much stronger that the thickness of the spokes is around three times fatter than the aluminum left at the bottom of the lug holes.

This got me thinking . . .

Admittedly, Rivieras are the wheels that God forgot. So few people want them that most mail order dealers don't bother stocking them. So I was thinking, since they can't be any WORSE as a four lug wheel, maybe they would make cool wide five wheels.

Since the spokes are so meaty, I was thinking that I would cut them off where they meet up with the center hub section, counter sink a lug hole and pocket, but this time a shallow one and use long studs and open lug nuts rather than lug bolts sitting deep in the hole. With short sturdy spokes, and strong studs and lugs. I figured that the mounting surface/set-up would be pretty strong. Two or three manufacturers offered this configuration in a racing wheel back in the early 70's, so it must be a reasonable idea . . .

Any thoughts?

Here are a couple of pics to help illustrate what I'm thinking. These are of a stock Riviera-style currently available and an altered inage showing what I'm thinkin' of. These have the silly flat surfaces on the spokes, but the idea still comes across. Just think "WAY COOLER" and a LOT tougher looking ! ! ! !

Stock RIV:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v136/TeamEvil/RIV4lug.jpg

What I'm thinking of, sort of:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v136/TeamEvil/FIV5lug.jpg

Got an opinion? (Like I hadda ask . . . . )
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FM Former Member
I have an old set of the original Riviera four lug rims, the ones with the round top spokes, no polished flats on the top, and WAY stronger castings than the current copies.

So much stronger that the thickness of the spokes is around three times fatter than the aluminum left at the bottom of the lug holes.

This got me thinking . . .

Admittedly, Rivieras are the wheels that God forgot. So few people want them that most mail order dealers don't bother stocking them. So I was thinking, since they can't be any WORSE as a four lug wheel, maybe they would make cool wide five wheels.

Since the spokes are so meaty, I was thinking that I would cut them off where they meet up with the center hub section, counter sink a lug hole and pocket, but this time a shallow one and use long studs and open lug nuts rather than lug bolts sitting deep in the hole. With short sturdy spokes, and strong studs and lugs. I figured that the mounting surface/set-up would be pretty strong. Two or three manufacturers offered this configuration in a racing wheel back in the early 70's, so it must be a reasonable idea . . .

Any thoughts?

Here are a couple of pics to help illustrate what I'm thinking. These are of a stock Riviera-style currently available and an altered inage showing what I'm thinkin' of. These have the silly flat surfaces on the spokes, but the idea still comes across. Just think "WAY COOLER" and a LOT tougher looking ! ! ! !

Stock RIV:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v136/TeamEvil/RIV4lug.jpg

What I'm thinking of, sort of:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v136/TeamEvil/FIV5lug.jpg

Got an opinion? (Like I hadda ask . . . . )
FM Former Member
Looks like a project. I got mine for the 914 for $40 bucks holding up a shed in Valencia. There are a lot of old ones floating around painted in all colors. My question is, can you balance the wheel afterwards? How do you hide the ugly bearing cap in front and the cotter pin hub in the back the way you cut it? There's a reason for the middle and it is to help hide the center with the black plastic caps with or without crests.

Fred Adler
San Diego

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  • Freds 1971 914
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FM Former Member
Can you balance them?

Sure, just buy or have an adapter made. There was a picture on here or on Spyderowners showing a steel adapter with all the dimensions on it. I'll round it up if I can, I know I have the pic saved on my old laptop.

I think the modified Rivs would be cool, and unique! Go fo it!
FM Former Member
"can you balance the wheel afterwards?"

Sure, just use a balancing wheel that they sell for use with ANY wide five rim. I have one that I got from a dealer, they also sell them on Ebay all the time. OR use a a four lug to five lug adapter plate, or even a five lug front drum. Tire mounting would be a snap as most places use the machine that clamps the rim rather than the hub section,

"How do you hide the ugly bearing cap in front and the cotter pin hub in the back the way you cut it?"

Wheel skins . . . those sweet aluminum WHEEL SKINS! or these:
http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=ACC%2DC10%2D6574&CartID=1

I'm going to give this a try. Of course, the lug holes will be MUCH shallower than pictured. Just a slight chamfer really to seat the taper on the lug nut or bolt. The bottoms of the spokes are flat to the drum, but I may have them dressed just in case. With those short strong "spokes" and almost no leverage against 'em, I think that it might work out. Again, there were several racing wheels that were manufactured using this same design and they were no stronger than these, really. Two out of aluminum, one out of just mild steel.


As a side note: I think the these wheels would look as slick as snot WITH the drum and nut and cotter pin hanging out there for all to see! Very race ready without the street dressing. A set of safety wired lugs and a race-pin replacing the cotter pin would be the final touch ! !
FM Former Member
I love it when people just "do it" and move on. But that is kinda what this "replica" stuff is about...........the hotrods of Porsche people on a budget. Good luck on the chop..................like I said, what have you got to lose? Rivieras being the ONLY wheel besides the stocker 914's are so available that it doesn't cost that much to find out.

Fred Adler
San Diego
FM Former Member
Found it on fleabay motors:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270270439522&ssPageName=MERC_VI_RCRX_Pr3_PcY_BIN_Stores_IT&refitem=270270044742&itemcount=3&refwidgetloc=active_view_item&usedrule1=CrossSell_LogicX&refwidgettype=cross_promot_widget&_trksid=p284.m184&_trkparms=algo%3DCRX%26its%3DS%252BI%252BSS%26itu%3DISS%252BUCI%252BSI%26otn%3D3
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