tyres which way round

[Robbiet9999]

i have just bought a set of wheels from flea bay. i want to fit white wall flaps too but the tyres on the wheels for the front have a raised ring on the outside wall but none on the inside wall. are they reversable as they are not directional[frame][/frame][frame][/frame] only asking as the ridge would hold the white wall away from the tyre and would look stupid.

[simmitc]

If those are standard wheels with Michelin tyres then be VERY wary - Michelin haven't made 145/155 x 14 for years, which means that those tyres will be well past their use by date. Might be OK for a rally field, but certainly not for high speed road use. In their day, they were arguably the best available, but they do not last forever.

[bmcecosse]

They could be very old and may damage easily during the 'reversing' - and of course may be so hard now that they give almost no grip, especially in the wet. They could be reversed - but the ridge is there to give some protection if rubbing against kerbs.......

[Robbiet9999]

Have checked the types with a fine tooth comb and haven't found any signs of wear and definitely no cracks or signs there past it.

[bmcecosse]

They ARE old, and they ARE 'past it'...... but go your own way - you have been advised what's likely to happen.

[Robbiet9999]

Ok will replace them once i have the cash. And they won't go on the car until i do.

[bmcecosse]

By all means try them - but I wouldn't go to the hassle of turning them round etc - and take care in the wet!!

[lambrettalad]

BMC is right ,recommended tyre life 5-7 years

the flaps are dangerous ,as they can cause extreme tyre damage behind them,by not always spinning at the same rate as the tyre,
do a search for a very recent posts,on this subject.

The only thing holding you to the road is about a square foot of rubber,why risk it also you have no history of the tyres ,have they been bumped up and down the kerb etc

[Robbiet9999]

What would you suggest as an alternative to the flaps. Really want the white wall look without the white wall price tag.

[lambrettalad]

have you looked in custom car mags or internet sites. I seem to recall there are firms who can white wall black tyres in situ,good luck

[chrisryder]

You can get white-wall paint.

[lambrettalad]

i've just found this
http://www.mrwhitewalls.com

[Robbiet9999]

Have seen the Mr whitewalls site before but he is too far away. The paint is a good option. Has anybody on here had any experience with it.

[bmcecosse]

Good grief.........

[beero]

The info on this site -
http://www.carbibles.com/tyre_bible.html
- will help you date the tyres. I second the advise about really old tyres. Don't risk it

[JOWETTJAVELIN]

Re paint. Jack the wheel up, select a brush to your preference of line thickness, spin the wheel whilst holding the brush against it and Bob's your uncle. If you really want to of course.

[bmcecosse]

[lambrettalad]

when I do scooter wheels i put a bar with a hole in the middle across the wheel held by two wheel nuts ,place a bolt with string tied around it ,cut the string to length tie to brush ,gives a really neat circle

[autolycus]

I looked into this for the wedding car, which had whitewall crossplies when I bought it, and a number of brides actually noticed and liked them. Whitewall crossplies were expensive (and out of stock), and radials even more so (£1600 for 4)(and also out of stock).

Everything I read about flaps screamed "NO". Reports of them being easily damaged, preventing beads seating correctly, tearing, looking scruffy, coming off - you name it. Some sellers even say "not suitable for radials".

The problem with tyre paint seems to be that it doesn't work well on new tyres. Even some of the professional painters advise leaving the tyre to weather for a year. I believe this is something to do with a chemical - possibly the mould oil - exuding from the sidewall and causing a yellowy-brown discolouration.

So I bought a set of Michelin radials, the handling of the car is transformed, and I don't think any brides have noticed.

These were big tyres (7.50x16), but I think the principles are the same for smaller ones.

As for the old tyres - check the date code. Usually in a box after the DOT code, about 3/8 - 1/2" high. Three or four numbers, with or without a triangle)

Kevin

[TRIUMPH66]

Always buy new tyres, never buy used tyres off off eBay! I remember reading in Practical Classics a few years ago about a guy who bought an original MGB with the original tyres on them. He was thrilled with his purchase as he was after originality and patina. One day he went out for a spin and never returned. One of tyres burst and the car flipped up and over killing him and his pasenger.... A tragedy. I just bought a pick up and I will be be changing the tyres shortly for peace of mind.