RogerH Posted June 22, 2009 Report Share Posted June 22, 2009 I tend to use the normal mix of 21% Oxygen apprx 77%Nitrogen but with all this global warming I haven't clue how much CO2 I'm using. Incidentally with the increase of CO2 due to GW why can't we weld without gas now. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted June 22, 2009 Report Share Posted June 22, 2009 Yes I am from Longstone Tyres, and a very keen driver of classic and vintage cars. Low profile tyres were fitted to the XJ6 in 1968, so if Triumph thought it would have improved theTR6 they would have fitted them. In the states they were still driving on wobbly crossply and they were used to driving cars that were designed to irradicate all feeling of the road. the driving experience they chased was that of floating on a cloud. which is nothing like driving a TR. if you look at modern cars particularly rear wheel drive cars like Mercedes and BMW and look at the angle that the front wheels protrude from the body with some lock on the steering, you will notice it is massivly different to a TR. This castor is built into modern cars and is complimented my modern tyre carcase structure of low profile tyres. (custard is designed to go on desert, gravy for meat) TR's do not have huge amounts of castor built into their steering geometry or power steering to counteract it. can i recomend you get together find somebody who has got the right tyres, preferably the XAS (because they streets ahead of everything else) and swap wheels and tyres, i garuntee you will prefer the feel of your car on the XAS the Vredestein is the right size but doesn't have the carcase structure. it is a cheap option. i am constantly amazed at the money people spend on their cars and then scrimp on the most cruitial bit that has the greatest effect on the handling. you cannot change the laws of physics, and treacle tart tastes rubbish with gravy on it. Dougal from Long Nosed Pliars Having just spent a ship load of money on a set of XASs for a customers 5 from you boys I do go along with the observations of feel and driveability of them. I also have them on my 4a as well. I used to run my MK2 3.8 Jaguar on Pirellis as they were really the only good tyres around at the time that suited those cars. (having spun several on crossplies ) The Dunlops that the XJ6 came out on were a good tyre at the time but having one delaminate on the rear at very high speed sort of put me off them(the tread section destroyed the rear wheel arch and was banging on the rear window!! )I then moved on to Michelin XWXs as used by the Police versions and they were one of the best for grip even in torrential rain (as witnessed late one night towing a trailer at high speed encountering a cloud burst ) Stuart. PS love your posters Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BrianC Posted June 22, 2009 Report Share Posted June 22, 2009 I have no experience of Michelin XAS (or any other) tyres on a TR6, but when I bought my first TR3A in 1972, it had a pair of X on one end and a pair of XAS on the other. It was a lethal combination (even taking into account the trauma of adjusting to a live axle car again, especially one considerably more powerful then its predecessor Standard 10 and Spitfire). I went to the local tyre specialists to seek advice and they convinced me to dump the Xs and buy 3 new XAS (essential to have the same as a spare). Cost was not inconsiderable compared to the relative cheapness of elderly TRs then, but the transformation was well worth the cost. The wear-rate was excellent, and I subsequently transferred those wheels and tyres to the TR4A which I bought when the TR3A was off-the road for a lengthy period. They also worked extremely well on the IRS car and unfortunately were still on it when I sold that car. Alas, I've never been able to justify the cost of XAS since, but then I don't drive like I used to so the benefit would probably be wasted. I'm another convert to Vredestein Sprint + (assuming we are talking standard sizes and profiles on a road car), having just bought a set for Lynda's TR4A and I'll do the same when I've worn out the Uniroyles on my current TR3A - excellent value , look nice and seem to handle better than any of the period tyres I used on the cars in the past (Goodyear, Dunlop, Firestone, etc). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Alec Pringle Posted June 22, 2009 Report Share Posted June 22, 2009 Hi Dougal, good to have some professional input ! 30-odd years ago I did some serious tyre testing at Goodwood in conjunction with Setyres, who sponsored me back then, and there was absolutely no question what was the best combination for a TR6 - 165/80 XAS on a 6" alloy rim, which had a distinct edge over the standard 5'5" steel fitment. Wire wheels we won't bother talking about. Oddly enough, the nearest competitor in those tests was from a relatively budget tyre manufacturer, Nokia. Thumping great Jag tyres, low profile as they were in their day, did nothing for TR handling - no matter how impressive they might have looked, they simply didn't work. Referring back to your earlier post - 185/80 do indeed fit, and were standard fitment on USA cars. Ride comfort was considerably improved, no ifs or buts about that, but in terms of handling between 185 Redlines and 165 XAS . . . . definitely no contest, as in maybe 5 secs per lap, at least, and with a few 'frighteners' thrown in from the bigger tyres for good measure. XAS tyres now are horrendously expensive - there must be room for negotiating a bulk deal somewhere along the line, if sufficient TR owner interest could be drummed up ? After all, why spend shed loads of dosh on polybushes, anti-roll bars, uprated springs, telescopic shocker conversions . . . . and then run on rubbish rubber ? A standard car on XAS could run rings round some of the 'uprated' machinery on budget tyres. Maybe the owners don't actually want to drive that fast, just boast about all the expensive upgrades at the bar ? Cheers, Alec Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Davidw Posted June 22, 2009 Report Share Posted June 22, 2009 This is sort of combining the other running tyre thread but what about pressures? I mentioned on the other tyre thread that I had fitted Dunlop 195/65's @30psi and found them great (at the instigation of my local independant tyre chap who said that my Goodyear Grand Prix S 165s had delaminated and that he had had a few classics in with delaminated tyres whcih he put down to underinflation. My Dunlop's I run at 30 psi and the car feels great. Tried them at 25 and it was horrible - I could feel the sidewalls trying to climb off the bead rim at quite low speeds. What do other people think? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jd6 Posted June 22, 2009 Report Share Posted June 22, 2009 has anybody tried the Dunlop D83J - seems to come in a 185/70R15. Classed as a track day tyre, but wondering how they would stand up to road use considering the limited mileage we normally clock up Jules Quote Link to post Share on other sites
88V8 Posted June 23, 2009 Report Share Posted June 23, 2009 (edited) why spend shed loads of dosh on polybushes, anti-roll bars, uprated springs, telescopic shocker conversions . . . . and then run on rubbish rubber ? Maybe the owners don't actually want to drive that fast, just boast about all the expensive upgrades at the bar ? Drive fast? On those tyres? This is sort of combining the other running tyre thread but what about pressures? I mentioned on the other tyre thread that I had fitted Dunlop 195/65's @30psi and found them great (at the instigation of my local independant tyre chap who said that my Goodyear Grand Prix S 165s had delaminated and that he had had a few classics in with delaminated tyres whcih he put down to underinflation. My Dunlop's I run at 30 psi and the car feels great. Tried them at 25 and it was horrible - I could feel the sidewalls trying to climb off the bead rim at quite low speeds.What do other people think? I run my 215/70s at 24f/26r but once you leave the familiarity of stock sizes on stock rims, you're pretty much on your own, as you will see if you run a forum search such as..... tyre +pressure Edit - sorry that wasn't very helpful - found this by searching ....195/65 +tyre* http://www.tr-register.co.uk/forums/index....hl=195/65++tyre* Ivor Edited June 23, 2009 by 88V8 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted June 23, 2009 Report Share Posted June 23, 2009 A standard car on XAS could run rings round some of the 'uprated' machinery on budget tyres. Cheers, Alec Ask Andrew Smith about TRK versus my 4a Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Davidw Posted June 23, 2009 Report Share Posted June 23, 2009 Drive fast? On those tyres? I run my 215/70s at 24f/26r but once you leave the familiarity of stock sizes on stock rims, you're pretty much on your own, as you will see if you run a forum search such as..... tyre +pressure Edit - sorry that wasn't very helpful - found this by searching ....195/65 +tyre* http://www.tr-register.co.uk/forums/index....hl=195/65++tyre* Ivor Ivor that's very interesting and not a little worrying since I am at 30 psi all round. Am now wondering if should check the wear again. My car is on standard suspension set up (including lever arms at back). for that reason it does wallow a bit anyway but (and this is always subjective!) it feels safer at the higher pressure to me. As I said, I just did not feel safe at 25psi and it wallow a lot more at 25psi. Maybe I should get my ears syringed to improve my balance!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
88V8 Posted June 23, 2009 Report Share Posted June 23, 2009 (edited) Ivor that's very interesting and not a little worrying since I am at 30 psi all round. Am now wondering if should check the wear again. A couple of years ago I had a conversation with a technician at Firestone about tyre pressures for my Landy with its non-standard engine wheels n tyres. I had expected that having given him the front/rear weight - courtesy of Council weighbridge - and the tyre section he would just look it up. Not so. "In the old days", said he, "that's how it was. We quoted a pressure that would give a full footprint and even wear across the tread. Now, that's not how it works. The manufacturers tell us what bias they want, whether towards performance or ride, sporty handling or tame, and we come up with tyre and pressure suggestions which they then refine by testing and tuning their suspension. Uniform wear is no longer the automatic priority. All I can tell you for your Landy is you might try X as a starting point". So there we are. If you have a local roundabout you can screech round at various pressures in the dry then in the wet, that will give you a starting point, at least you will find an acceptable balance in terms of under/oversteer. A higher pressure, yes it will stay on the rim more securely, and run cooler as the sidewalls will not flex so much, but overinflation will reduce the footprint so you'll have less rubber on the road which will diminish the ultimate roadholding, and if the tread edges aren't firmly down on the road the water clearance won't be as good. Manufacturers have whole departments with test tracks doing this work, you have you. And if you have the misfortune to majorly prang the jalopy at some future time, the Plod will check the tyre pressures and come to their own conclusion, right or wrong. Like I said, us chaps with non-standard are on our own. And as to ultimate wear, well by the time you find out it will be five years hence, let us know Ivor Edited June 23, 2009 by 88V8 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dougal Posted June 26, 2009 Report Share Posted June 26, 2009 Hi i can only simpathise about the price of the XAS, and blame our poor currency for its most recent price hike. However as an offer to help Longstone offer 5% discount and free carriage. but you have to haggle. I'm glad you like our adverts. we have free poster you can order them from the web site http://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/posterRequest.php The Dunlop D83J tyres are fabulous however they are still the wrong size. i stand by my original provocative coment that fat tyres are missguided cowardise. though some times you could do with a little more grip Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest ntc Posted June 26, 2009 Report Share Posted June 26, 2009 Hi i stand by my original provocative coment that fat tyres are missguided cowardise. Hi Dougal I had a chat with some of your guy's at Le Man classic very interesting is was to, so a challenge to you I have a spare set of rims your tyres against my fat buggers on a modified Tr5, I am sure we could find somewhere local to us both we are only 10 miles apart Regards Neil Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted June 26, 2009 Report Share Posted June 26, 2009 we have free poster you can order them from the web site http://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/posterRequest.php I can recommend the posters (Though the wife may not approve ) Stuart Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jim Posted June 29, 2009 Report Share Posted June 29, 2009 I bought my first TR last friday and it is fitted with FULDA Y2000 185/70VR 16 tyres. Does anyone know what pressures these run on. Thanks J Quote Link to post Share on other sites
North London Mike Posted June 29, 2009 Report Share Posted June 29, 2009 Hi Guys If you want an orignal fitment sized tyre with period tread and the correct diameter to fill the 6's arches, it looks as though it boils down to these choices. Michelin XAS (165-15) 646mm dia - the 'OE' tyre but now an eye watering £149 +VAT each Vredestein Sprint Classic (165-15) H rated 646mm dia at around £100 + VAT each and lastly, the recommedation from Longstone classic tryes is the Pirelli Cinturato. Apparently the choice for 60s and early 70s GTs. These are £98 each plus the VAT for a 185-15 653mm dia. http://www.longstonetyres.co.uk Has anyone had any experience with the Cinturato and if so do they 'work' on a TR6? Any other ideas? Apologies if we're dong this topic to death but the choice of orginal sized tyres isn't a cheap business. Nick Hi Nick (all) Great Tread (Pun , sorry ) I'm going to set the cat amongst the pigeons ! Just purchased 2 hours ago, 4 x Vredestein Sprint Classic (185-70-15) @ £74.20 each INC VAT & UK delivery!! http://ssl.delti.com/cgi-bin/rshop.pl?dsco...7&s_p=index So great price and value, not a cheap tyre, just a good tyre bought cheaply (thats the difference or do we just feel better spending more money) Other comments * All comments valid, these are MY thoughts, motivation and opinions * Cars can be set up for either standard or bigger tyres * LNK was built and set up with 185/70s in mind (suspension, camber etc) * Just finished my set of Colway Road Plus (same size) but thats all finished............. * LNK feels planted and solid on the road with good grip * Ride comfort isn't great but thats the firm track day set up as much as tyres * I run 24/26 on road, 26/ 28 on track, 28/30 loaded, touring * I read every related posting on this forum and others regarding tyres and never seen a bad work for Vredestein * German TYRE site even had a road test fitted to classics!, Vredestein scored 80-90% http://www.tyretest.com/pkw_sommerreifen/v...ssic/index.html * Vredestein are now OE suppliers for mainstream manufactuers such as Audi * The Sprint Classic combines the hi tech stuff with a classic look * Bad Frog has them and thats good enough for me Sorry to rain on the 'standard size is best' parade but its really is horses for courses and the bigger tyres give more outright grip which is what you want on a circuit (the TR4 race cars don't use 145's ! ) Hope this has helped somebody do something ! It took me months to get of the pot Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest ntc Posted June 30, 2009 Report Share Posted June 30, 2009 Hi Nick (all) Great Tread (Pun , sorry ) I'm going to set the cat amongst the pigeons ! Just purchased 2 hours ago, 4 x Vredestein Sprint Classic (185-70-15) @ £74.20 each INC VAT & UK delivery!! http://ssl.delti.com/cgi-bin/rshop.pl?dsco...7&s_p=index So great price and value, not a cheap tyre, just a good tyre bought cheaply (thats the difference or do we just feel better spending more money) Other comments * All comments valid, these are MY thoughts, motivation and opinions * Cars can be set up for either standard or bigger tyres * LNK was built and set up with 185/70s in mind (suspension, camber etc) * Just finished my set of Colway Road Plus (same size) but thats all finished............. * LNK feels planted and solid on the road with good grip * Ride comfort isn't great but thats the firm track day set up as much as tyres * I run 24/26 on road, 26/ 28 on track, 28/30 loaded, touring * I read every related posting on this forum and others regarding tyres and never seen a bad work for Vredestein * German TYRE site even had a road test fitted to classics!, Vredestein scored 80-90% http://www.tyretest.com/pkw_sommerreifen/v...ssic/index.html * Vredestein are now OE suppliers for mainstream manufactuers such as Audi * The Sprint Classic combines the hi tech stuff with a classic look * Bad Frog has them and thats good enough for me Sorry to rain on the 'standard size is best' parade but its really is horses for courses and the bigger tyres give more outright grip which is what you want on a circuit (the TR4 race cars don't use 145's ! ) Hope this has helped somebody do something ! It took me months to get of the pot Hi Mike They are brilliant stick like s??t to a blanket mine are different though but same make Regards Neil Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dougal Posted June 28, 2010 Report Share Posted June 28, 2010 Hi i find it amazing that people read "Sprint Classic" on the side wall of a tyre and think it makes it look classic. to my knowlege no tyres in the early 70's had the word "Classic" written on them. If I wore a T-shirt that said "strikingly hansome" would i be more attractive. Tyres Should not be bought on price. (i appreciate it is a consideration) fat tyres are better on the race track (to a point) because the surface you are racing on is perfectly smooth. (among other reasons) comparing a new set of tyres to an old set of Colway's does not make it a good tyre. if you want a car that sticks to the road like s??t then you've bought the wrong car. British Sports cars like TR's of this period should be light, sprightly and progressive. if you want to have a TR and take away the light, sprightlyness and stop it from being progressive then buy something else. Dougal Quote Link to post Share on other sites
88V8 Posted June 28, 2010 Report Share Posted June 28, 2010 If I wore a T-shirt that said "strikingly hansome" would i be more attractive. Only to a horse. Ivor Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ragtag Posted June 28, 2010 Report Share Posted June 28, 2010 Only to a horse. Ivor Taxiiiiiiiiii Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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