FOUND: Wire Internal Retaining Clips (Borrani Center Cap)

[Conserv]

I’ve been assembling a set of center caps and retainers for Borrani bimetal rims. I’ve found four original center caps — although I’m also looking for a second set — but I’m particularly looking for the wire internal retaining clips for the center caps. I have two originals, but I need at least two more.

 

The first photo below shows two of these period clips. They’re made of round wire and have overall dimensions (not compressed) of 54mm x 2mm. The second photo shows the two original clips with four needy center caps. Yes, I realize a 54mm internal “C clip” — a close example shown at far right in the second photo — could fulfill the function, but it wouldn’t capture the charm of the original wire clips... ?  The third photo simply shows a Borrani bimetal rim for reference.

 

I’ve searched the usual wire retaining clip sites, and come up with nothing. I’m probably looking for some one to say, “I’ve got a drawer full of them, rusty as hell. They were used to attach the clutch fork on ‘59 Alfa Giulietta’s...”

 

Thoughts? Leads?

 

Thanks and best regards,

 

Steve

 

[Conserv]

n/t

Edited April 20, 2020 by Conserv

[Conserv]

Hey, John,

 

We lost three posts here, but, in essence:

 

1.) Thank you for the Borrani customer service idea.

2.) I’ll try it.

3.) I tried it and the very congenial Borrani employee said, “We’re closed right now for Covid-19, but those are very nice Borrani rims, and....”

4.) “I believe I have some of those clips and I’ll send them to you as soon as we re-open!”

 

Thanks again, and best regards,

 

Steve

 

[Conserv]

In the meantime, and as a backup, I’ve found that the two illustrated internal retainers will likely work — albeit, again, without the original’s charm. ? Just to emphasize, these are for Borrani bi-metal rims, e.g., models R1/476 and R1/508.

 

The rings are available from McMaster: a nominal 1 15/16” ring (54.0 mm. overall diameter); and a nominal 1 7/8” ring (52.5 mm. overall diameter).

 

Regards,

 

Steve

 

Edited April 25, 2020 by Conserv

[ray_]

The master tinker can bend some spring wire for you for that.

 

 

@'76mintgrün

 

:P

[Conserv]

9 hours ago, ray_ said:

The master tinker can bend some spring wire for you for that.

 

 

@'76mintgrün

 

No doubt, Ray! But I wanna save that favor for a bigger ask! ??

 

Best regards,

 

Steve

 

Edited April 25, 2020 by Conserv

[Conserv]

I anticipated a long, hard, and expensive uphill climb to find these. I figured two or three years, minimum.

 

Then @John76 came along with a crazy-ass idea: “Why not contact Borrani if you’re looking for Borrani parts?” Well, everyone knows Borrani isn’t going to have parts for 50-year-old rims! Right? Pretty obvious, no?

 

Well... wrong again. ?

 

Today I received a set of new center caps and retaining clips, from Borrani. The center caps are plastic, in contrast to my steel originals. But they are very nicely done and fit perfectly. And, as an offset for the plastic-for-metal swap, they threw in Borrani stickers, from Borrani — not knock-offs!
 

The price? Nada. Shipping charges? Nada.

 

Happy camper here? You bet! ?

 

Thanks for your help, again, John! And thank you, Borrani!
 

Best regards,

 

Steve

 

Edited May 14, 2020 by Conserv

[RFord888]

Steve - Did you contact them using this link?

 

https://www.ruoteborrani.com/en/contacts/

[Conserv]

On 9/10/2020 at 10:15 AM, RFord888 said:

Steve - Did you contact them using this link?

 

https://www.ruoteborrani.com/en/contacts/

Rich,

 

I sent an email to:

 

classic@ruoteborrani.com

 

But, honestly, I don’t know if the point of initial contact is critical. I heard back from Mr. Matteo Bosisio, who couldn’t have been nicer. I gathered he was in the “classic” group because he had both knowledge of my 50-year-old rims and appreciation for them! But I suspect Borrani is a relatively small division of big ol’ CMR (Costruzione Meccaniche Rho).

 

Good luck!

 

Best regards,

 

Steve

 

 

[RFord888]

Got it. Saw the "info" email and the "classic" one. Will us the classic.

 

Thanks for the help.

 

[RFord888]

Sent an email late Friday re above. Clearly too early to record result but have another query.

 

Bought a large car and parts lot. Includes a fine set of Alpina/Borranis R!-440s. What is the "accepted" way to refinish them? Is it ok to powdercoat (probably the best protection long term), or is painting preferred?

 

Thanks,

 

Rich

[Conserv]

1 hour ago, RFord888 said:

Sent an email late Friday re above. Clearly too early to record result but have another query.

 

Bought a large car and parts lot. Includes a fine set of Alpina/Borranis R!-440s. What is the "accepted" way to refinish them? Is it ok to powdercoat (probably the best protection long term), or is painting preferred?

 

Thanks,

 

Rich

In my opinion, Rich, either method is fine. I’ve slowly moved away from powdercoating for rarer rims with stamped markings, however, simply because powdercoating is more likely to obscure stamped markings. Sure, enough paint can also fill those stamped markings, but it’s easier to control.

 

I believe powdercoated rims do hold up better than painted rims.
 

Best regards,

 

Steve

 

 

 

[RFord888]

Steve -

 

Matteo responded and he is nothing short of a fabulous guy! We exchanged a few emails in which he answered my questions and I got nothing less than an instant education in "Alpina" and "Borrani" wheels. Forwarded some neat photos too.

 

Thanks again for the lead.

 

Rich

[Conserv]

Circling around to where I started, I had the four original center caps — chrome plating on a steel body — re-plated. Like most things I own, they’re not perfect: a couple of the originals were quite pitted. But... given their rarity, and their miserable condition going in, I’m very pleased with them: “Ruote Borrani Milano” (Borrani Wheels of Milan).

 

Regards,

 

Steve

 

[Touring Alpina]

Same experience with Matteo: fantastic.

There is a Borrani dealer in Piqua, Ohio. Extremely nice as well. He gave me the Borrani book at the end of the visit.