Limitations of moon discs

[Xist]

If they were as cheap as pizza pans, I imagine that many of our members would use them. They are more aerodynamic than flat covers, right? Sturdy, actually attractive, and some people actually know what they are and why to use them.

However:
They are prohibitively expensive.
They do not have a good method of attachment.
Prone to scratching.
I forget what else I was thinking, but I will add to that list as we come up with more limitations.

I was thinking that if you took one moon cap, made a plug of it, and then cast an ABS disc, with a large hole in the middle, and a metal ring on the inside, and then insert pieces that match different lug patterns, and shaped washers that go between the lug nut and wheel, extending out to secure the cover. Then you screw in or otherwise attach a lug nut cover.

What parts of that do not make sense?

[freebeard]

All of it?

They are (prohibitively?) expensive. (how much for the raw alumum sheet?)
They do not have a good method of attachment. (Dzus fasteners)
Prone to scratching. (Jack the wheel up, spin it and sand them out with 200 grit sandpaper)

How about it's hard to move the valve stem to the inside of the wheel and fill the tire from there? Or accommodating wheel weights?

Chuck the sheet ABS in a lathe and use a roller on each side similar to clay on a potter's wheel. Casting won't get the best result.

I got a set of 4 at a swap meet for $5.

[AlexanderB]

I'd like a set, but the only source I've found so far is eBay, and they're expensive and don't even ship to Europe. (I'd never make back the fuel savings if I spend $100 for a set, then an unknown amount for shipping)

So I guess pizza pans or flat plate disks it is, since I don't own a lathe.

[cowmeat]

I'm getting ready to find out their limitations, since mine arrived last night. I just need to re-furb them and I'll be installing them by the weekend.
My clutch switch, throttle smoothing circuit and regen switch also arrived, so they'll be hooked up this weekend also!

[Insight for life]

Originally Posted by cowmeat

I'm getting ready to find out their limitations, since mine arrived last night. I just need to re-furb them and I'll be installing them by the weekend.
My clutch switch, throttle smoothing circuit and regen switch also arrived, so they'll be hooked up this weekend also!

How are you planning to install the moons?

[cowmeat]

They have 3 small holes already in them (I bought actual moon discs, not pizza pans), and you attach them with small stainless screws after threading three holes into the rim

I'll post pics of the re-furb and installation this weekend in the DIY section

[Xist]

Cool story, bro. All that you need to do is all of this for each wheel: http://www.streetrodderweb.com/tech/...s/viewall.html

I have seen many different attachment methods for smooth wheel covers, but please show me someone on here that welded onto their wheels.

From what I have read, the screw holes wear out and people lose the moon discs. As I recall, Freebeard bought his so cheap because you could not use the original holes anymore.

[cowmeat]

Lol, mine are going straight on the rims!

I'll put a dab of silicone in each hole, it should keep the screws from backing out from the vibration

[freebeard]

Won't the silicone glue the disk to the wheel? How about a neoprene or nylon washer glued to the backside of the disk, so it buffers the vibrations?

[cowmeat]

That's the idea, to get it to hold tight to the wheel. I'm afraid the nylon washers would let it loosen over time, but I could be wrong. I need the screws to stay put until I pop them off every other week or so to air up the tires, but not be so permanent that I get lazy and let the psi's suffer.

Anybody have these? And what attachment method do you use?