‘Fatman’ wheel?

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Bobbbenner
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* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: TT 1924, touring 22
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‘Fatman’ wheel?

Post by Bobbbenner » Mon May 27, 2019 10:35 am

Any information about my wheel?
And is there a key that locks it?
Seems there it is a key slot in picture number one with the arrow.
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RajoRacer
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Re: ‘Fatman’ wheel?

Post by RajoRacer » Mon May 27, 2019 10:53 am

The wheel itself is a Bauer - the accessory steering lock is something else.


Gary Gregory
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Re: ‘Fatman’ wheel?

Post by Gary Gregory » Mon May 27, 2019 4:14 pm

Yep that's a Bauer steering wheel. Here's mine with the original walnut.
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Wayne Sheldon
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Re: ‘Fatman’ wheel?

Post by Wayne Sheldon » Mon May 27, 2019 4:38 pm

The center mechanism looks like a Bauer, as our Rajo racer friend has said. But it is not the more common style aluminum spider and wood rim that I have seen a dozen of. I don't know if that makes any better or not, but it is a bit unusual. If you look very closely at the little oval plate near the center, you may be able to make out enough of the name to verify "Bauer". Someone (unfortunately I forget who?) on this forum had a limited run of Bauer plates made last year. There are likely a few still available if yours is bad and you want a better one. Someone here may know where.

The other device is an anti-theft locking device. They can be tricky to work with. What they do (usually), is unlock the steering wheel from the shaft so that the car cannot be driven. When locked, they steer normally. When unlocked (or locked out), the steering wheel just spins loose with no effect on the car's direction. They generally seem to be safe and reliable. As long as they are locked and working, the car drives like a model T. If one is unlocked, and the key is lost? You gotta problem.
There were many (dozens? More even") different names and manufacturers for those, with a lot of variations in details and construction. Most are nearly tamper proof. So if unlocked and no key, they can be VERY difficult to remove or work around. More than a few model T owners wound up removing and replacing the entire steering column because they couldn't find the secret handshake to remove one of these without a key.
Most of these are assembled onto the steering column, then small pins driven in to hold the lower assembly onto the upper pieces. The where and the size and type of pins vary by make and model, some are very difficult to find. SOMETIMES they can be drilled out to disassemble the unit. If you cannot find the "secret handshake" for your unit, and want it off? Usually best and maybe cheapest to simply replace the entire steering column. Many people trying to remove these have done so much damage to the steering column before successful removal that the steering column need extensive repairs before use anyway.

If you have no key? But the unit is locked and working fine? You could simply leave it and use it like that. They do make an interesting conversation piece.
SOMETIMES, a number can be found on the lock. Sometimes there is no number, and sometimes the number is inside where it cannot be seen until the unit is disassembled. IF you can find that number, a good old locksmith may have a reference book to translate and make a new key for just a couple dollars. Few such locksmiths are still around. Most locksmiths today simply do not want to fool around with such old junk.

Nice wheel! I like it.

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RajoRacer
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Re: ‘Fatman’ wheel?

Post by RajoRacer » Mon May 27, 2019 6:07 pm

Wayne - same Bauer aluminum spyder w/steel center BUT it has been retrofitted with a 17" Fordite rim.

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perry kete
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Re: ‘Fatman’ wheel?

Post by perry kete » Mon May 27, 2019 6:45 pm

Every wheel I get behind is a fat man wheel! :lol: :lol:
1922 Coupe & 1927 Touring


Wayne Sheldon
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Re: ‘Fatman’ wheel?

Post by Wayne Sheldon » Mon May 27, 2019 7:09 pm

Hey Steve T! I think you are right! I hadn't noticed that. Good catch!


Allan
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Re: ‘Fatman’ wheel?

Post by Allan » Wed May 29, 2019 5:15 am

It is a Bauer wheel. The lock is a separate mechanism But, I believe they are a 'pair' to be installed together, rather than two separate items from different sources. The wheel itself has a much deeper dish than the standard Bauer wheel, that dish placing the rim of the wheel in the plane of the planetary gearset as it is with a standard set-up.

I could be wrong.
Allan from down under.


D Stroud
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Re: ‘Fatman’ wheel?

Post by D Stroud » Thu May 30, 2019 2:15 am

I believe Allan may be correct. That wheel has a heck of dish to it, I've never seen one like that. Sure makes sense to me. Dave
1925 mostly original coupe.

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