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Wheels and tires

Joe Schlosser

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Who has the best deals on a set of Panasports (I know they are replicas) for a BE.
Time for new tires and the old (very old) Cosmics have had their day.
However, I do like the look and everyone else is on Panasport , old Cosmics are just corroded on the inside from 30 years of moisture.
Who does that kind of wheel restoration?

Thanks in advance
 
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Joe Schlosser

Joe Schlosser

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Brain fade here posted before complete thought.
It has been more than 10 years since I bought tires. 165 70 13.
Who is running what and what is available today??
 

Rut

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Joe,
I bought a set of VTO Classic 8s from Hap Waldrop at Acme Speed Shop and really like them. There are not too many choices in 13” tires and a lot of people go for 14” wheels with a lower profile tire. I got my last set from Tireseasy.com.
Rut
https://www.acmespeedshop.com/wheels/
 

drooartz

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For my street Bugeye I'm a fan of 155/80R13 -- but I'm not looking for all out performance and stickiness. My Bugeye currently has 175's on the stock steel wheels, but it's just a rolling shell at this point. I will likely go back with 155's when the restoration is done.
 
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Joe Schlosser

Joe Schlosser

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Another OOPs
Not Cosmics but look like very early BBS. I am running 5.5 X13 with a 85 mm backspace. These wheels leave me a lot of clearance with minimal spacers. none in front and 1/4' in the rear.
There are some JBW wheels on Ebay , 5 inch with 100 mm backspace that are supposed to be for Spridgets. Any one used this size wheel?
I am having a difficult time finding replacement 165 70 13 tires.
If I go up to 185X60 I am thinking they would be too wide for the 5 inch wheels but no problem with the 5.5.
There are some 175 X70 out there that might work
Thoughts are appreciated.
 
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Joe Schlosser

Joe Schlosser

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Drew
What size wheels are you using for the 175mm tires??
 

Jim_Gruber

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Joe, i’m Running JBW 8 spoke w polished rim. I got a deal at Brexit when exchange rate went bonkers. On a 5” wheel 175 is max tire size. 185 needs a 5.5” wheel. I did need to add a 1/4” spacer up front and go with longer wheel studs but no other clearance issues. In the rear no spacer but went w longer wheel studs. Delivery from UK, 2 days via DHL airfreight to my door. Longer wheel studs and spacer from Winners Circle. A number of different wheel styles available from JBW web site.
 

Jim_Gruber

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Tires a 175 from Walmart. And I believe 70 profile about $40 per tire with a UTOQ of 225 or so.
 

SD Bugeye

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kumho 175 70 On my old minator wheels just mounted these about two weeks ago seem nice no issues no spacers
 
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A 185 tire will peek out from the edge of the fender (depending on the wheel width and offset). I would definitely stay with a 175 or less. I have 185/60R14 on my bugeye using a VTO rim. I have some pretty sticky tires, but it is not a comfy ride ... although it is a heck of a lot of fun on an autocross course.
 

drooartz

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Drew
What size wheels are you using for the 175mm tires??

They're on the original Bugeye steel wheels, which I think are 3.5" wide. Too much tire for those rims, they were put on by the previous owner.
 
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Joe Schlosser

Joe Schlosser

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Thanks everyone. I ordered a set of 175 Kuhmo from TR. Should not be much diff form the old 165s I have now.
I am staying with my 5.5" rims for the moment. One $$ event t a time
 

Gerard

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Joe Schlosser

Joe Schlosser

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My issue at the moment is the clearance at the front of the tire to the fender when I turn the wheel. I mounted new Kuhmo 175 70 13 on my old 5.5"rims with 80mm backspace. My spare set of ro-style rims are 5" with 100mm backspace which woul move the tire in by 20 mm which should provide clearance. This is the same width and backspace that the Panasport/MBW has.
So far it seems that no one has come up with a problem with this tire and wheel combination.
Any one wish to chime in??

Jim
What were the spacers needed for the front?? May I assume wheel clearance to the tie rod?
 
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Joe Schlosser

Joe Schlosser

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With the 175 70 13 tires the 5.5 inch has too much backspace for the front wheels to clear when turning. The steel Rostat wheels are 5" inch with 100mm backspace and would work fine but I decided to speing for new JBW minilite replicas, 5 inch with 100mm backspace.
Found a great deal on Ebay, with two day shipping from the UK.
Everything is perfect. No spacers needed at front and a full 9 turns on the standard wheel studs. I am really happy I do not need to pull the front apart to install longer studs (have a bag full of different lengths). I like extra clearance inside of the rear so I left the 1/4 spacer installed.
Any way from a bad bead on a tire to a complete set of new tires and wheels in a week
 

Jim_Gruber

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Yes clearance for Tie Rod IIRC Been 8-9 months ago. went w longer Wheel Studs F & R.
 
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