In my opinion the 3 piece was the safest multi piece wheel you could get in those days. These look pretty rusty. Be sure to inspect them inside. Otherwise, by design, they were the most desirable for tube type tires.
Is this a 3 piece rim then? It would be ok if not too rusty? I really don’t know what I’m looking at to know if they are safe. I would plan to blast and paint whatever I get.
Yes you are correct, ALL 20" rims are multi-piece tube type rims...ALL 22.5" rims are one piece tubeless.
The only multi-piece rim that's been "outlawed" is the Firestone RH-5...all other multi-piece rims are still serviceable as long as they are not damaged or rusty.
The wheel in your photo uses a full circle bead ring retained by a small diameter split ring that's wedged into a groove in both pieces as the tire inflates. As long as the grooves and the lock ring aren't severely rust damaged, they're perfectly safe once full inflalation pressure is reached. Once the old tires are removed, work the lock ring area on all the pieces over with a wire cup wheel on an angle grinder down to bare metal, and do a detailed inspection.
NEVER, EVER TRY TO ADD AIR TO A TIRE ON A MULTI-PIECE RIM THAT'S NOTICEABLY LOW- - - -flat, or with a bulged sidewall, for instance. The lock ring relationship could be compromised, resulting in a deadly rim separation. Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
oldieoldie Now this is just my opinion but when you blast any metal that is very rusty you really lose a lot of it's integrity. My 51 3600 homemade dually rear wheels were solid so I just used the needle scaler ( like a welder uses) painted with por 15 2 coats. Then put on new rubber,that's been 15 years ago hauled a lot of wood since. Still just fine !
