Brian Eldred Posted April 1, 2021 Report Share Posted April 1, 2021 Good afternoon. I need to change the tyres on my TR2 (unused but 24 years old!). Can anyone recommend a tyre fitter in the East Leeds/Harrogate/York area that has the necessary cones to balance wire wheels properly? Thanks, Brian Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Deggers Posted April 1, 2021 Report Share Posted April 1, 2021 Hi Brian, Can't help with a tyre fitter, but if you're planning to run with wires for the foreseeable, MWS stock a balancing cone set. Here's a link : MWS Kabal Tool And a guide to wire wheel balancing : MWS Balancing Good luck, Cheers, Deggers Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AndrewMAshton Posted April 1, 2021 Report Share Posted April 1, 2021 C&S Tyres Middlesbrough, the owner races a TR4, a very satisfied customer, cheers, Andrew Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Brian Eldred Posted April 2, 2021 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2021 10 hours ago, Deggers said: Hi Brian, Can't help with a tyre fitter, but if you're planning to run with wires for the foreseeable, MWS stock a balancing cone set. Here's a link : MWS Kabal Tool And a guide to wire wheel balancing : MWS Balancing Good luck, Cheers, Deggers These look like the job, but at £216 a bit expensive for what may be a one-off job? My other TR has wires, and I've only had them balanced once in 8 years... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Brian Eldred Posted April 2, 2021 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2021 10 hours ago, AndrewMAshton said: C&S Tyres Middlesbrough, the owner races a TR4, a very satisfied customer, cheers, Andrew Thanks Andrew, rather a long way from Wetherby but if I get stuck.... I think its been said before but it would be handy if we could put together a list of fitters that have the kit. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John L Posted April 2, 2021 Report Share Posted April 2, 2021 MG owners club do adaptors for £64, https://www.mgocspares.co.uk/cgi-bin/sh000001.cgi?WD=cones balancer wire wheel&PN=MGOC_SPARES_Spinners___Ancillaries_878-p3.html Scroll down the list. John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ian Vincent Posted April 2, 2021 Report Share Posted April 2, 2021 The MG spares cones referred to above still require a tyre fitter with a bit of nous to make them work. Rgds Ian PS Not Yorkshire, but my local tyre fitter in Frome has the kit to balance wire wheels and has staff trained in how to use it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ntc Posted April 2, 2021 Report Share Posted April 2, 2021 Longstone Tyres Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stillp Posted April 2, 2021 Report Share Posted April 2, 2021 Rugby Classic Motor Garages, but might be a bit too far south for you. Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jon m f Posted April 5, 2021 Report Share Posted April 5, 2021 On 4/2/2021 at 11:33 AM, Ian Vincent said: The MG spares cones referred to above still require a tyre fitter with a bit of nous to make them work. Rgds Ian PS Not Yorkshire, but my local tyre fitter in Frome has the kit to balance wire wheels and has staff trained in how to use it. Hi Ian, Could you let me know who you use in Frome, I live in Bath and it would be very handy to know a local company that can do this. Thanks Jon Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ian Vincent Posted April 5, 2021 Report Share Posted April 5, 2021 Hi Jon, H & B Tyres in Christchurch Street Frome although they have now re-branded as ETB Autocentres. I don't know if this makes any differences to the services they offer. Rgds Ian https://www.etbtyres.co.uk/fromec/ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jon m f Posted April 5, 2021 Report Share Posted April 5, 2021 That's great thanks Ian, rgds Jon. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
signalredshaker Posted April 5, 2021 Report Share Posted April 5, 2021 Longstone Tyres don't seem to use dynamic balancing- just a steel mount so the wheel is horizontal with a spirit level bubble in the middle. Good tyre supplier though. James Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ntc Posted April 5, 2021 Report Share Posted April 5, 2021 8 minutes ago, signalredshaker said: Longstone Tyres don't seem to use dynamic balancing- just a steel mount so the wheel is horizontal with a spirit level bubble in the middle. Good tyre supplier though. James Yep and it works they check and adjust the wires as it should be done Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Keith Warren Posted April 13, 2021 Report Share Posted April 13, 2021 Try the Motorist at Sherburn in Elmet they may have the correct gear for the job. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Brian Eldred Posted April 17, 2021 Author Report Share Posted April 17, 2021 Thanks Keith, I hadn't thought of them. As it happens, yesterday I took the car in to my local garage, who are experienced with classics, for an 'MoT-type check'. First time on the road, apart from a couple of runs round the block, since 1973 I believe. The mechanic that tested it said the tyres were fine, despite being around 23 years old. Firestone F560s. There's no visible degradation apart from some fine cracks between the treads, which he said weren't a problem. It probably helped that the car has been stored in a dry garage on wheel skids since they were fitted in 1997. I assumed I'd have to change them, but since I don't intend going very far or very fast for a while I'm inclined to leave them on for now. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RobH Posted April 17, 2021 Report Share Posted April 17, 2021 27 minutes ago, Brian Eldred said: I assumed I'd have to change them, but since I don't intend going very far or very fast for a while I'm inclined to leave them on for now. It isn't visible cracking you need to worry about Brian - its lack of grip because the rubber has aged and gone hard, and possible internal degradation which might become evident if you drive any distance on them. Good luck with explaining your thinking to your insurance company if you are involved in an accident. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Brian Eldred Posted April 17, 2021 Author Report Share Posted April 17, 2021 32 minutes ago, RobH said: It isn't visible cracking you need to worry about Brian - its lack of grip because the rubber has aged and gone hard, and possible internal degradation which might become evident if you drive any distance on them. Good luck with explaining your thinking to your insurance company if you are involved in an accident. Hi Rob, That's what I thought too. So how come an MoT tester thinks differently? The rubber doesn't 'feel' any harder than much newer tyres on my other car. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Deggers Posted April 17, 2021 Report Share Posted April 17, 2021 The only place I'd trust 23 year old tyres . . . . Deggers Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ntc Posted April 17, 2021 Report Share Posted April 17, 2021 Your mot man should not be in the job you should not drive the car full stop Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Brian Eldred Posted April 17, 2021 Author Report Share Posted April 17, 2021 OK I'm convinced! I kind of was anyway, just surprised at what the MoT guy said. To return to the topic, I'll call The Motorist at Sherburn on Monday. If no go I remember a place in Malton that was recommended by Malton Coachworks. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AlanG Posted April 17, 2021 Report Share Posted April 17, 2021 Just having a punture repair and balance at Savoy Tyres in Howden if you're stuck. Alan. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Brian Eldred Posted April 19, 2021 Author Report Share Posted April 19, 2021 The Motorist at Sherburn doesn't have the kit. They recommend Longstone Tyres, who as well as being rather a long way away are v expensive compared with Camskills (Vredenstein Sport Classic at £163 v £116.) By the way when did tyre prices go up so much? I bought the same Vredensteins for my other car in 2015 for £63 each. Elsey Tyres at Malton don't either, but says they use a standard inner cone and a rubber outer cone that locates on the spokes (??) and have fitted and balanced lots of wire wheels including for customers of Malton Coachworks. That's where I had the other set fitted in 2015 and they have been fine since. Brian Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ian Vincent Posted April 20, 2021 Report Share Posted April 20, 2021 14 hours ago, Brian Eldred said: By the way when did tyre prices go up so much? I bought the same Vredensteins for my other car in 2015 for £63 each. Probably a Brexit thing. Rgds Ian Quote Link to post Share on other sites
meesonia Posted April 21, 2021 Report Share Posted April 21, 2021 Hi Brian, I was at my local tyre shop last week getting new boots on the wife’s Golf, I asked the guy if they could balance wires and he said yes. They are a good outfit, I recall a group member had his Jag 4 wheel aligned a few years ago. The company is Link Tyres in Mirfield, give them a call. No affiliation, just a long term customer. Ian Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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