Tyres

[Keith Clements]

Subject: Query re info on tyres for Javelin

Keith

Can you direct me to, or advise the current concensus on tyres for the Javelin ? I am sure much has been written on this but cannot recall the details, and presumably as some reintroductions of older patterns are made things change ?

I currently have the oversize Avon Tourist 550.16 crossply on the original narrow rims. The life is poor and now I need to replace at least two of them again. Hence to raise the question as to what are the alternatives.

I see there are various newly introduced radials (MichelinX 550R16, and Avon Turbosteel size??). Do you know what is the best compromise to get decent tyres to fit the original rims, clear the bodywork and give reasonable looks and life ?

And is weight an issue ? I have the new wider rims and radials on my Jupiter but can definitely notice the resulting heavier weight of the wheels in spite of accurate balancing.

Would appreciate any info/experience you can give on this.

best regards

Garth Wright
JCC Member

[Forumadmin]

I have not bought tyres for about 12 years for my Jowetts; having been sponsored by King Pin with some really good rubber.

Although it is possible to put a taxi width tyre onto a standard 5.25 rim, it does bulge out and does not sit properly on the road. It may also suffer from ripping the tube if you brake hard as the carcass spins on the rim.

So your choice is to find a narrower tyre or to widen the rim. If you do widen the rim you need to work out the offset so that the suspension is not fouled. On the Javelin you may also suffer from rubbing in the rear wheel arches.

I recall on one Monte Carlo rally cutting the chunks off the Mud & Snow tyres to stop them rubbing.

I think there was some discussion on the old JowettTalk on tyres. Just do a search.
Also look at
http://keithclements.co.uk/jowettnet/dt ... /tyres.htm
http://keithclements.co.uk/jowetttalk/% ... 00003e.htm
http://keithclements.co.uk/jowetttalk/% ... 0001cb.htm

[Yorkie]

I ditched the 5.25 x 16 X plies on my Javelin for 175/75 x 16 Radials. Fantastic difference in road holding.

I have Continental on front, with tubes and Matador on rear. Started these tubeless, fine for a while, but the dreaded rim problem probably was cause of slow loss of pressure, so reverted to tubes. Standard wheel rims. No trouble with brake pipes being rubbed.

If I corner a bit too fast, there is a little rubbing of near-side wheel arch due to flexing of the tyre but this has not caused any tyre or wing edge trouble.

Standard profile (175 x 16 are too bulky and don't look right, so make sure you go for 175/75 x 16 tyre size. Some are light commercial rating 6 ply, loads fo tread so may never wear out!