Street Tire size for 60 spoke wheels

[LanceLyon]

I've just purchased new 60 spoke wheels for my BJ7 restoration project. I plan on putting radial rather than bias ply tires on them. Model specs call for 165-70-15's, but are these the best size tires for these rims in today's world?

 

[Randy Forbes]

Probably; 175/70 (if still available) would look a little meatier, but a 185/70 is too large and likely won't clear the turn indicators in the front, snagging the wires.

 

[LanceLyon]

Well, I can't seem to find any 165/70's anyway, but there appear to be a number of choices in 175/65, which keeps the sidewall height within 2mm of the recommended. Is anyone running the 175 widths out there? Any problems with tires rubbing on the fender wells?

 

[PAUL161]

Try Vredestein. They make them in 165-70-14. Don't know why they wouldn't make them in a 15. The Quadtrac model gives a soft ride and tremendous road grip. The Sprint model gives a more traditional look. Don't know about the performance. The photo is one of the 165/70/14 Quadtracs on my car. 72 "B". I love the ride they give and their a great rain tire. I ordered these from Holland, but I think there are dealers here now. The internet will tell.

 

[zblu]

Your rim width will also determine your tyre sizing

 

[glemon]

A standard 15" 60 spoke wheel is 4.5" the 48 spokes fitted to the early cars, maybe up to the BJ8, were 4".

A 165/80 15' is about the closest modern equivalent to the tires fitted to the cars when new. You used to be able to get thee fairly easy and cheap from companies like Kumho and Gillete, the 165/80 is VW Beetle size, but they have been harder to find lately.

I think Vredstein makes a 175/80, which I think is a very nice size for a 6 cylinder cars, they do cost more (over $100 a tire I think) I ran a 165 of my 100.

You can find a 65 series lower profile 15" tire but appearancewise it will not fill out your fenderwells so well, and you lose a little ground clearence as well.

As far as the original question 165 or 175 are good widths for a 60 spoke 4.5" rim.

 

[wheelwright]

Just a quick note,the Kumho 165/80-15's have been on backorder for over a year.Currently the Federal and the Vredestein are about the only choices,I don't recommend Nankang or Hankook{if you can find them}as they are noisy and a very hard compound.2 years ago there were several choices for LBC'S,I guess the demand fell to the point it wasn't a big moneymaker so they were dropped from the lines.The Vredestein is a great tire,a good hiway and rain tire and a softer compound for autocross or fun time.The Federal looks good and is a bit less money.Check out the wire wheel tips in the Restoration and Car Care section...

 

[DART]

I have 4.5" 60-spoke 15 inch wheels and the Vredestein Classic in 165-HR-15 is a close match to the original bias-ply. Bought them from Universal Vintage Tire in Hershey, PA. <www.universaltire.com> With shipping cost me about 100 each back in 2007.

 

[healeynut]

Whoever told you that 165/70s are the correct tire for your rim was smokin hooch.

Standard 165-15s (i.e. 165/80-15) are the closest modern tire. The diameter is very close to original (depending on the brand) and will fit a standard 60 spoke rim just right.

this site has alot of good information on sizes and diameters, etc:

Longston Tyres 165-15s

Note that in the US, you can get Kumho tires in 165-15 for pretty cheap, usually around $40 or something like that. Everyone says they're a great tire.

 

[GregW]

a number of choices in 175/65, which keeps the sidewall height within 2mm of the recommended. Is anyone running the 175 widths out there? Any problems with tires rubbing on the fender wells?

Hi Lance,
The tire specs I saw for the 175/65 15 had a 24" diameter. 2" less than the original size.

 

[LanceLyon]

It's the Moss Motors technical spec's that identify the 165/70/15 as the modern equivilent. Perhaps I should ask a more simple question: What are you guys running (brand, model, & size) and are you happy with the grip on the road and the "look" of the installed tire?

GregW, what was the tire spec you got for the original tire? If I do the math on the 175/65, the 65 being the percentage of the tire width(175mm) in sidewall height, or about 4 1/3" per hemisphere I also come up with about 23 2/3" for the tire.

 

[GregW]

Perhaps I should ask a more simple question: What are you guys running (brand, model, & size) and are you happy with the grip on the road and the "look" of the installed tire?

That is a horribly more complex question. :laugh:

GregW, what was the tire spec you got for the original tire? If I do the math on the 175/65, the 65 being the percentage of the tire width(175mm) in sidewall height, or about 4 1/3" per hemisphere I also come up with about 23 2/3" for the tire.

The Original tire specs from my owners manual say "590-15 tubed". On my bill of sale they list the RoadSpeed Tyres. The spelling of tyre is odd because the dealership that my dad bought the car was in Baltimore MD. Anyway, from Dart's link above Universal Tire sells a Dunlop RS5 (roadspeed 5) in a 590 15 that has a diameter of 25.88"

 

[healeynut]

I hate to say it but your Moss tech spec is wrong. 165/70/15s are too low a profile and will look silly on a healey.

standard 165-15s are the tire to get. that's what everyone runs if using standard 60spoke 15" rims.

Confirm for yourself, look here:

Wire Wheel sizes

Then here:

Da tires

and compare based on rim widths and it tells you the size of tire to use is a 165-15 (i.e. 165/80/15). FYI Hendrix is a Healey specialist, and I would only buy wheels and tires from him... NOT Moss.

 

[John Turney]

My 72-spoke, 15" x 5" Dayton WWs and Riken 185/70-15s came from British Wire Wheel. They were in Santa Cruz, now they are in Fresno, Ca. They were nice to work with.

I have no problems with rubbing, the rear springs are new, and the front is lowered about 3/4"

 

[healeynut]

John -

I have 185/70 R15s on my 72 spoke 5" rims too.

The question was what to put on 60 spoke 4.5" rims. In that case the answer is 165(80)-15s.

 

[John Turney]

Oops, I missed the 4.5".

In that case, the 165-15s are recommended as shown here, unless one really wants to spend money for the Dunlop RS5s.