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MG Midget and Sprite General - Best After market steering wheel

Hello everybody,

just joined and looking for some advice,i acquired a new to me Mountney Steering wheel and boss,after much struggling the old wheel was removed but when the newly acquired one was fitted it came up short so now the horn is not working until i do i temporary fix.so what i am after is which have you found to be the best fitting steering wheel (ie) where the boss fits right up to the horn bessel in the original cowling.

Many thanks for looking Wayne.
W Williams

Hi Wayne,

Welcome to the BBS it is an invaluable asset.
It's best to let people know what model your car is (it's a 1972 RWA Midget folks)and you can add the description to your log-in details (I think it's the customisation button).
While I can't help you with this as I also have a mountney wheel, my horn button is a remote one fitted to the dash, I'm sure that someone will be along soon to give you and answer.

Gary
Gary & Gaps

Mota-Lita wheels

Looks right, feels right, horn set up so the horn button works (on my 66 anyway)

Expensive though
James B

Hi Wayne, I would second the Moto-Lita wheels.

They offer both wooden and leather versions so you can take you rpick.

Mark
Mark Whitmore

I've got a leather bound motolita in my MkII Midget. Very comfortable to drive with and the steering wheel itself is thick to hold.
There are variations however. I have a motolita wheel on my MGC which is the wodden style with rivets. Whilst it looks geeat it is a thin steering wheel and not so nice to use.
You must ensure that you obtain the correct boss for the motalitas as clearly the columns vary in diameter.

Neil K

I'll have if you don't like it because I think they are fine!!!
rachmacb

I have Mountney - fits fine. Was on special offer at Halfords some years back, so hard to resist.

A
Anthony Cutler

Hey Rach, whilst driving an MGC GT, how did you find driving with the wooden motalita then?

I added a pic of mine.

Neil K

A tiny(10 or 11")Mountney wheel with a moto boss and horn push
The moto boss i had and that horn push worked way better ( the mountneys tend to get stuck)
Jus a case of drilling a few holes to fit the wheel.

Had to fit it upside down otherwise i could not see the gauges

I don't like the moto wheels the wood is to thin and leather to soft
Onno Könemann

I have a wooden Motolita. Looks nice, but as Neil says it is very thin, slippery, and not especially pleasant to hold. Consequently I wear leather driving gloves. This makes a world of difference, but attracts a certain amount of mocking from my mates!

I'd switch to a leather wheel, but I don't think it would look right in my interior.
Jordan Gibson

Wooden wheels are not the best if you have an accident...

A
Anthony Cutler

LOL Neil - I had a wooden one in the Midget when it first came - goodness knows how it passed the MOT as it had a split in it .... but, that one looks way way too big to move - sorry :P!!! However, in something like a C, it looks very nice :)

Still don't have a problem with Mountery ones - especially the smaller ones! I've got that fitted now after a brief period with a "proper" wheel - yuck!

Before anyone says anything - yes, I know, the bigger ones make steering easier - supposedly, but I've never found that.
rachmacb

I have one very similer to Neil K's wooden one, on my 1979 1500 chrome bumper conversion, and I love it.

P Jeremiah

Moto lita are as common as minilites on spridgets but I like them for looks and grip/handling.

mine is a 13" leather one which gives me enough legroom to make getting in and out of the car very easy.(im 1.84mtr)


Arie de Best

Moto Lita - small boss.


Daniel Thirteen-Twelve

Hi Wayne welcome to the BBS

To the best of my (bad) memory if the boss was the correct one for your model and the Mountney steering wheel that came with it then the horn should fit

The Mountney wheels and bosses are fine, the Mota-Lita are better but a lot more expensive

I'd suggest you check that you like the feel of wood rim as personally I don't, perhaps it's just me

I personally also prefer a bigger steering wheel with a thinner rim (original size and style) than the modern smaller and thick rim style

I think the bigger steering wheel gives a nicer feel to touch and drive - I know at least rach disagrees - so just my opinion
Nigel Atkins

Here is mine

Onno Könemann

Thanks everybody,although the Mountney is nice to drive , it does feel a bit thin and the horn problem is that the boss falls short of the copper attachment by about 1/2 to 3/4".

Wayne.
W Williams

Mine is a very old (1969) model Motalita 12 inch without thumb spats. I love the feel of it and the horn works fine. It's particularly useful now that I have MGF seats fitted which sit you a bit closer to the wheel. (Pic taken before MGF seats).

Bernie

b higginson

What about a man's size steering wheel - well a small man anyway

(note the drivers seat repair, less than 12 months after the seats were reupholstered, my usual luck)

Nigel Atkins

The older Moto-lita's are a bit thinner, wich I like (and have)

Alex G Matla

Wayne
Usualy you can bend that in to position
Onno Könemann

Hello,
Onno ,there isn't enough to bend,so I am going to change.

"Anybody got a Mota-lita for sale"
W Williams

Wayne
space the ring back....
Onno Könemann

Another old Mota Lita, older than the car, complete with small child recently inserted into the footwell to hold a spanner on the starter motor bolt!

Matt1275 Bucks

Matt, as said before: Don't forget to clean the kid before you put it back !
Alex G Matla

do old moto litas have the script, "Moto Lita" etched into them too?

I would like one, they are the most lovely wheels, but find the script off putting for some reason. If I could get one without that it would be great.



Norm
Norm Kerr

Norm,
On the older wheels the script is on the bottom spoke just below the boss and is much less obvious than on the newer wheels. You can just make it out on my photo between the boss and the first hole.
I think the rims are thinner too which gives them a bit more of a period feel.
Matt1275 Bucks

personally I prefer the factory rim on my 64 midget, however on my k-midget I've got a nice woodrim moto lita

John

John Collins

Well at least my little boy likes it!

Got a nice boss too!

John

John Collins

Jon, youve got to admit you have to muche spare time to make a boss like that! LOL!!
Very cool tho!

I like the way all chroomed screws are in line(like I have on mine) :)
My friends think I have a form of autisme like Dustin Hofman in "Rainman", maybe I have but now I know im not alone in this! :)
Arie de Best

Arie, it's the only way to fix the screws, otherwise you'll get annoyed by them on long drives :^P
Alex G Matla

This thread was discussed between 03/04/2011 and 11/04/2011

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