Kelsey collapsible rim
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Topic author - Posts: 1425
- Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 6:51 pm
- First Name: Keith
- Last Name: Townsend
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: late 1911 touring, 1915 runabout, 1919 touring, brass speedster
- Location: Gresham, Orygun
- MTFCA Life Member: YES
- Board Member Since: 1999
Kelsey collapsible rim
I only have one like this and always wondered why these holes were here.
Now I know...
What type of latch goes here?
: ^ )
Keith
Now I know...
What type of latch goes here?
: ^ )
Keith
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- Posts: 6795
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 7:21 pm
- First Name: Allan
- Last Name: Bennett
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1912 van, 1917 shooting brake, 1929 roadster buckboard, 1924 tourer, 1925 barn find buckboard, 1925 D &F wide body roadster, 1927LHD Tudor sedan.
- Location: Gawler, Australia
Re: Kelsey collapsible rim
That's the one Keith. I have only ever had one of those tools. I sent it to a good friend in Western Australia to go in the toolkit for his 26 roadster pickup.
Allan from down under.
Allan from down under.
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- Posts: 224
- Joined: Wed Jan 16, 2019 6:29 pm
- First Name: David
- Last Name: Wilson
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1927 Canadian Touring
- Location: Saint John, NB, Canada
- Board Member Since: 1999
Re: Kelsey collapsible rim
I believe that most or all of the Canadian built 26-27 cars used these Kelsey wheels. I know that is what is on my 27 Touring. I have had to repair the "loops" for the lock pin on some of my rims and would love to get my hands on one of these Kelsey tools. The instruction booklet would be a bonus. Is there anyway to get a copy? The Kelsey wheels also used a different size and shape spoke. I found that out the hard way when I tried to install the spokes normally sold by the regular vedors. Ended up having my wheels rebuilt by Bill Calimer. He does very nice work.
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Topic author - Posts: 1425
- Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 6:51 pm
- First Name: Keith
- Last Name: Townsend
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: late 1911 touring, 1915 runabout, 1919 touring, brass speedster
- Location: Gresham, Orygun
- MTFCA Life Member: YES
- Board Member Since: 1999
Re: Kelsey collapsible rim
David-
Here is your opportunity to own you very own!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/317237024859?i ... rNWP&pfm=0
: ^ )
Keith
Here is your opportunity to own you very own!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/317237024859?i ... rNWP&pfm=0
: ^ )
Keith
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- Posts: 224
- Joined: Wed Jan 16, 2019 6:29 pm
- First Name: David
- Last Name: Wilson
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1927 Canadian Touring
- Location: Saint John, NB, Canada
- Board Member Since: 1999
Re: Kelsey collapsible rim
I'll probably regret it later but I think I'll pass. Probably be double that price by the time I get it here (Canada) considering exchange rate, postage, duties/tarrifs and carrier collection fees. When did life get so complicated? Thanks anyway
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- Posts: 5135
- Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 7:31 pm
- First Name: Dan
- Last Name: Hatch
- Location: Alabama
Re: Kelsey collapsible rim
I have found these rims on cars and wheels I have seen and bought here in the South. Don’t know how they got here, but some were on cars been here most if not all their life.
One thing, have not seen is the no lug rim style like in the booklet. Have seen the 30x3.5 Kelsey rims with no lugs.
If fact I bought 4 NOS ones out a Ford dealer in Tn. They had been there since 1924/25.
Has anyone seen the style rim as in the booklet, no lugs? Or is that only a Canadian thing? Dan
One thing, have not seen is the no lug rim style like in the booklet. Have seen the 30x3.5 Kelsey rims with no lugs.
If fact I bought 4 NOS ones out a Ford dealer in Tn. They had been there since 1924/25.
Has anyone seen the style rim as in the booklet, no lugs? Or is that only a Canadian thing? Dan
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- Posts: 6795
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 7:21 pm
- First Name: Allan
- Last Name: Bennett
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1912 van, 1917 shooting brake, 1929 roadster buckboard, 1924 tourer, 1925 barn find buckboard, 1925 D &F wide body roadster, 1927LHD Tudor sedan.
- Location: Gawler, Australia
Re: Kelsey collapsible rim
Dan, i think the style in the booklet illustration is an artists rendition. I believe the drawing is in error. Such a rim was ever used on a T, It shows a lug which straddles a rim bolt. It is there to stop the rim rotating on the wheel if the mounting bolts were to come loose. This is typical of 30" demountable clincher rims with loose lugs.
Our Canadian sourced cars had loose lug rims well into the production of the 1925 model Ts. We had fixed lug 23" rims for a short while before the introduction of the 21' split rims, all of which were of the fixed lug type.
Allan from down under.
Our Canadian sourced cars had loose lug rims well into the production of the 1925 model Ts. We had fixed lug 23" rims for a short while before the introduction of the 21' split rims, all of which were of the fixed lug type.
Allan from down under.
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- Posts: 392
- Joined: Tue Jul 23, 2019 3:16 pm
- First Name: dick
- Last Name: dock
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: T sprint cars
- Location: locchoy wa
Re: Kelsey collapsible rim
I have the same set up on my 1909 Stoddard Dayton. I WANT one of those rim tools. Anyone have one for sale I'm your buyer.
thnx
frontyboy test or call 2ho6 919-1949
thnx
frontyboy test or call 2ho6 919-1949
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- Posts: 6795
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 7:21 pm
- First Name: Allan
- Last Name: Bennett
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1912 van, 1917 shooting brake, 1929 roadster buckboard, 1924 tourer, 1925 barn find buckboard, 1925 D &F wide body roadster, 1927LHD Tudor sedan.
- Location: Gawler, Australia
Re: Kelsey collapsible rim
Maybe the illustration is correct then. Cars, other than Ts may have used straight sided tyres with split rims made bu Kelsey. We live and learn.
Allan from down under.
Allan from down under.
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- Posts: 5403
- Joined: Sat Jan 05, 2019 1:57 pm
- First Name: Mark
- Last Name: Gregush
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1925 cutdown PU, 1948 F2 Ford flat head 6 pickup 3 speed
- Location: Portland Or
- Board Member Since: 1999
Re: Kelsey collapsible rim
I have seen other brands of rims/wheels that have the same setup for collapsing the rim not just Ford wheels.FundyTides wrote: ↑Wed Sep 03, 2025 9:36 pmI believe that most or all of the Canadian built 26-27 cars used these Kelsey wheels. I know that is what is on my 27 Touring. I have had to repair the "loops" for the lock pin on some of my rims and would love to get my hands on one of these Kelsey tools. The instruction booklet would be a bonus. Is there anyway to get a copy? The Kelsey wheels also used a different size and shape spoke. I found that out the hard way when I tried to install the spokes normally sold by the regular vedors. Ended up having my wheels rebuilt by Bill Calimer. He does very nice work.
I know the voices aren't real but damn they have some good ideas!
1925 Cut down pickup
1948 Ford F2 pickup

1925 Cut down pickup
1948 Ford F2 pickup