Late model wheel question: Riveras...

[bugnut68]

Curious about the offset of Rivera style wheels... I'm looking for something I can run on my '70 Bug when I can afford to move beyond the stock 4.5 inch steelies.  My situation is this: I've got CB Performance drop spindles with disc brakes.  I tried to run original 914 Fuchs (2.0 liters) but the inner part of the wheel interfered with the bottom ball joint.  Just curious as to how the Riveras fit in comparison.  I once ran Empi style 8 spokes but had to use spacers to keep the spokes from hitting the disc brake caliper.  Any information/advice would be greatly appreciated. 

[Nico86]

I have early Riviera's (without square castings on the spokes) with stock spindles, Sebro brake discs and stock VW-style brake calipers. I have to use 5mm spacers on the front too, because of interference with the calipers. Then I also put rear spacers to keep a "stock-style-looking offset" between front and rear axle.

I don't know about the late Riviera's, but tomorrow I can measure the offset of my wheels if you want.

[Zach Gomulka]

If the ball joint interferes, you can just clearance the ball joint a bit. It's common, I had to do it on AssHull's '67. If you want to be lower and use a wheel wider than the stock steels (either 4" or 4.5" depending), you'll have to either run a 914 wheel, or narrow the beam. Tire size will also play a factor. I'm not sure of the offset Riviera's have, but it's not going to be as good as a 914 wheel.
My 4.5 steel sprints clear the ball joint just fine, but I did have to shave a tiny bit off the brake caliper. They work with 145's and a stock width beam with drop spindles, hopefully they wont rub any more during hard turns now that I've got front and rear sway bars.

[Nico86]

Yes you can clear a little material on the calipers, it was just a matter of a few milimeters. I didn't do this because with my wheels it was rubbing just on the piston area of the calipers.

Otherwise I have a stock width sway-a-way beam, slightly lowered, and 155R15 tires and no tire rubbing issues.

[danny gabbard]

With a early stlye rim thats 4-3/4 it has a 4.0 offset and with a 5-3/4 rim it has a 4-1/8 offset. That is takeing a straight edge off back of rim and measureing from that point to face of wheel were drum sets. These are early style riveras with the squares

[danny gabbard]

picture of the wheels

[Andy]

Another way to tackle the problem of the bottom ball joint fouling the wheel, is to cut the taper in the spindle a little deeper. Worked for me with American eagle 914 2ltrs, Mahle 4 studs and Real Rivieras, no spacers needed.

[bugnut68]

Is the information provided also applicable to repro Riveras?  I'm not committed to original ones... just curious how they would fit with these CB spindles as they push the wheel out 1/2" or so on each side.

[Zach Gomulka]

You'll have to try and see That's the probelm with drop spindles, they are a blessing and a curse

[Chris W]

I had the same issues with my Gasburners. I ditched the drop spindles for Ghia disc spindles and a adjustable beam stock width beam.

[bugnut68]

I hate the ride of an adjustable beam, so I guess for now I'll count on running 4.5 inch chromies eventually.

[Andy]

Is the information provided also applicable to repro Riveras?  I'm not committed to original ones... just curious how they would fit with these CB spindles as they push the wheel out 1/2" or so on each side.

I think If repro 2ltrs fit, any repro wheel will probably fit. I got a machinist friend to cut mine, to be honest I wouldn't want them cut any deeper than they are, although I do have plenty of clearance to the wheel rim now. Someone else suggested cutting the spindle with a taper reamer, it would probably be easier to clearance it just enough this way.


Incidentally my '67 has stock beam, drop spindles and the skinny genuine Rivieras. The offset of the wheels avoid a 'fenderbrake' situation even though the beam is stock width with drop spindles.

[Speed-Randy]

I put the 4.5" early original rivieras on my daughters ghia with dropped spindles/ disc brakes and they cleared no problem. the only issue I had was the guy that balance the wheels stuck the weights right in line with the B/J, spun the wheel after tighting lugs and suddenly there were weights on the ground.  get the originals, you can find them for $20-30 each, the repops are the same price or more for new ones

[jhicken]

On my '69 I'm running original early Rivi's, CB 2" adjustable beam, CB dropped spindles, and disc brakes. Major rubbing issued between the BJ and rim. Fixed it with two 3/8" spacers on each side. There still was a little rubbing but a few turns around the blocked finished the modification.





-jeffrey

[Cheesepanzer]

^^^^^  Cool!