banded steels are here : )

[Dalek]

I'd be surprised if a banded steel was lighter than an alloy of the same size

 

Yup, me too...

[Stu_B]

I don't think they're illegal if the welder is Lloyds certified!

[Messenjah]

I'd be surprised if a banded steel was lighter than an alloy of the same size

 

 

have you ever compared the weight of a "6 steel and a capri pepper pot alloy ???

 

 

pepper pots are stupidly heavy so are slotmags !

[bmxdave]

I have a set of 6" minilites, and a set of 6" mexico steels. If i get a chance anytime soon ill weigh them and let you know. Ive always been led to believe a steel is lighter and personally i think its true comparing my sets of wheel in the past. That was purely by feel though, not actually measuring them.

[Muttley MK2]

I f you were to take a pepperpot which is 7x13 and a 13 inch steel banded to 7" (properly) the alloy will definately be lighter. A point to note here is that the wheel that is being banded was designed and made to be a certain size, all stresses and strains taken into account. If you modify those dimensions and fit a bigger (and heavier) tyre then all those precautions go out the window. The footprint of the tyre is also altered throwing all suspension and steering geometry out of whack. Wheel bearings also will suffer due to the centre of the wheel moving out of line. I could go on, but here it is, its up to you what you do with your own car, but, any one welding up wheels for other people to fit on their cars had better be bloody sure of their position in law (fit for purpose springs to mind) I had banded wheels back in the day and believe me they werent made illegal for nothing!!

[ZetecVan 2.0]

Some info on the legalities.

 

Some of you may recall that, in the midst of a banded wheels thread, I e-mailed VOSA for their view on the practice. The question I asked was:

 

I have a query about a specialist modification to steel car wheels over which there is much debate about legality.

 

The modification involves cutting off the outer part of the steel wheel rim, welding a band of additional steel to the wheel, then welding the outer rim back onto the band which has been inserted. The aim of the modification is to allow the wheel to accept a much wider tyre for increased grip. The welding is usually carried out by qualified welders.

 

Can you confirm whether there is anything within the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations, or any other legislation, which prohibits the use of wheels which have been modified in this way?

 

 

They have now responded as follows:

Dear Mr Hilton

 

There are no specific regulations in the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, as amended (C&U) relating to the type of work you propose.

Regulation 100 of C&U does require that all parts fitted to a vehicle are not likely to cause a danger to the user of the vehicle or other road users. I have attached a copy of Regulation 100.

Additionally, you will need to ensure that the wheels do not protrude from the wheel arches, or that modifications are made to the bodywork of the vehicle to ensure that the wheels do not protrude.

 

Yours sincerely

 

name removed

DfT - Transport Technology and Standards

 

Taken from Retro Rides: http://retrorides.proboards86.com/index ... 1195901645

[james p]

thanks mike

[X-pack-Glyn]

Got my set coming tomorrow hopefully.

[supersport]

i would like a set for my fiesta.

[bomber1]

james is now not on here but over on retro rides failing that i have a contact number for him

[Doc]

I don't think they're illegal if the welder is Lloyds certified!

 

Absolutely correct mate

[5hane]

oo, might be interested

[X-pack-Glyn]

I f you were to take a pepperpot which is 7x13 and a 13 inch steel banded to 7" (properly) the alloy will definately be lighter. A point to note here is that the wheel that is being banded was designed and made to be a certain size, all stresses and strains taken into account. If you modify those dimensions and fit a bigger (and heavier) tyre then all those precautions go out the window. The footprint of the tyre is also altered throwing all suspension and steering geometry out of whack. Wheel bearings also will suffer due to the centre of the wheel moving out of line. I could go on, but here it is, its up to you what you do with your own car, but, any one welding up wheels for other people to fit on their cars had better be bloody sure of their position in law (fit for purpose springs to mind) I had banded wheels back in the day and believe me they werent made illegal for nothing!!

 

Yep, alloy is lighter indeed, trouble is they have to make the wheels so thick with the stuff they end up heavier...the only true way to make a light alloy wheel is use magnesium alloy which is where the alloy wheel originated from.

 

trouble is they soon found they could con us into thinking much cheaper alloys were just as light..