Michelin X tyres

[JohnSchofield]

Someone mentioned at Basingstoke that there is a Michelin X tyre that fits the Jupiter. I'm getting a bit fed up with my 175/75 R 16 van tyres fouling the front wings on full lock, so was wondering about changing. The nearest size I can find on the Michelin X list is a 145R400, which if my calculations are right is about 15.7 rather than 16 inches. Would these go on the wheels, and if not what is the size others have used? Or is there a suitable radial car tyre from another manufacturer?
Thanks in advance, John.

[Jack]

Might be some useful info here John http://jowett.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f ... lit=radial - lots of discussion on exactly this topic.

Broadly from re-reading it looks like you'll be fine with radials on the Jupiter, the Javelin much more of a problem. Both our Jupiters are on radials but one on modified wheels.

Generally if it fits Javelin it will fit Jupiter, but not vice versa due to little tolerance to variations in width on the Javelin.

Jack.

[Keith Clements]

Also try JCS

[JohnSchofield]

thanks both, I missed the thread on the Javelin page. Will start saving up for some Michelin 550R16.

[chapman]

The Michelin tyres I mentioned at Basingstoke were 550x16 Michelin x from Longstone tyres in Bawtry South Yorkshire
www.longstonetyres.co.uk. 01302714027.
The tyres are superb for Jupiters but are a bit expensive and you need inner tubes at about £12 each.
The owner is only young ,ex RN and he will fit the tyres and balance the wheels while you wait,
He has "naughty" adverts

[JohnSchofield]

thanks again, I like their adverts too

[Jack]

Update on this - I have now had a good look at the Michelin X tyres, Peter Tribble has these fitted to his Jupiter, and his feedback is that they are a good tyre.

They look right on the car, sharing appearance with the original MIchelin X crossplies, but have a radial tread pattern and obviously radial constuction. They are however wide at their widest point in the sidewall, 172mm, so worth checking compared with what you have fitted now.

The other tyre worth considering at the same kind of price is the Avon Turbosteel, if you have width clearance issues these are marginally narrower when fitted to a Jupiter rim, had a good chat with some people using these this weekend and they seemed happy with them.

Jack.

[Robin Fairservice]

Having installed Michelin X tires on my Mini in the 1960's I am positive that they were radial ply ties. They were fine until they lost grip which happened very suddenly.

[Jack]

Hi Robin,

I think there are two types - the original crossply Michelin X, which I would have thought you had in the 60s, and the much more recent radial Michelin X. They look cosmetically similar, but they have different tread patterns and I assume different construction too.

Kind Regards,

Jack.

[Robin Fairservice]

I quote from Wikipedia:

Michelin has made a number of innovations to tires, including in 1946 the radial tire (then known as the "X" tire).[4] It was developed with the front-wheel-drive Citroën Traction Avant and Citroën 2CV in mind. Michelin had bought the then bankrupt Citroën in the 1930s. As of August 2008, this tire is still available for the 2CV. In 1934, Michelin introduced a tire, which if punctured, would run on a special foam lining, now known as a run-flat tire (self-supporting type).

The Michelin X tires that I had were specifically made for the Mini and were the first tubeless radial tires.

[Jack]

Interesting - Peter definitely has two types of Michelin Xs, one has an old crossply type tread (similar to Avon Tourist etc), the new ones have radial treads.

I'll get a photo in a couple of weeks time when I see him and update the thread.

Jack.

[Forumadmin]

The tread, of course, is not related to if it is of radial or crossply construction.
shows the 1949 one
shows the first tubeless
andthis the first asymmetric

Then the ZX arrived
then the XZX

then the TDX tyre wheel puncture effect resistant.

and then the FZ for the Mclaren F1

then the run flat PAX

This linkis worth reference when fitting tubes to tubeless tyres, but since all Jowetts do not have rims designed for tubeless there may be some debate on whether to run tubeless.

[robert lintott]

The posts on this subject contain some points which need explanation . The Michelin X , which over time evolved into ZX, TDX etc started a revolution in tyre design . Prior to its introduction tyres were constructed of textile cords running along or across the tread at an angle ( cross ply ) which gave inferior road holding as the tread blocks moved around under cornering and braking forces . Michelin introduced the X , all of which , regardless of tread pattern , utilised steel cords across the tread which held the tread blocks in position and raised by a major degree the road holding and ultimate speed at which the tyre started to slide . There was no " cross ply X " even if the tread looked different .

Many of us were alerted to this development in the 1950s by a road test in Motor Sport of a Riley 1.5 RMB fitted with Michelin X tyres . Compared to the car with its original cross plies the road holding and braking was exceptional . I had a Sunbeam Rapier at the time and fitted a set of X tyres , it was remarkable , glued to the road , somewhat less comfortable , better braking and fuel economy .

So far only Citroen --who owned Michelin-- fitted these tyres as OE, but soon sizes for general use became available . The disadvantage in general use was that when the tyres lost adhesion it was at a high speed / high cornering force and sudden --through the hedge !

Michelin's competitor was Pirelli who produced the Cinturato ( ie belt) which had radial plies of textile cords . This had less ultimate grip but was more comfortable and broke away more progressively , so was more suitable for general use .I fitted a set to a Ford Corsair GT with wide wheels to good effect, and later to a Triumph 2000 . Eventually all manufacturers adopted the radial principle with a variety of steel /textile combinations . In the late 1960s car manufacturers began to design their suspensions around specific tyres , the 1968 XJ 6 being a good example using a Dunlop radial .

The Javelin had , and has , excellent handling but poor roadholding particularly at the rear ( my opinion ), an ideal candidate for a Pirelli type tyre now available from many sources . Finding 16" sizes is a limitation and if too fat, wing clearance too .

Although not relevant to Jowett anyone with TDX /TRX tyres has a problem because they utilise special wheels and new tyres if available are a fantastic price . I have come across them on Citroen CX GTis and some BMW E 34s . A set of new conventional wheels and tyres can be found for less than the cost of a pair of TRX tyres !

Bob

[craig ainge]

Hello All
I will happily support the use of Michelin X radials 550 x 16. We fitted a set in 2008 and it completely transformed the Jupiter's handling and ride quality. I would totally agree with Tom Chapman, and you do need to spend some 'proper' money on inner tubes and listen carefully to what the tyre experts say whilst looking looking at his 'spicy'' period adverts.

[Chris Spencer]

I am at a loss as to why fellow members go anywhere else other than Longstone Tyres, having purchased several sets of tyres for various classic / vintage cars from them over the years - You will not find a more knowledgeable man than Dougal when it comes to tyre knowledge - further to this you will also find that when compared to his competitors - his prices are always competitive.