Discussion
I'll apologize in advance for the vague nature of this message, but I am some 3,000 miles away from the car and can't confirm the details. Anyway - here goes!
I have a very early Chimaera, which has very strange tyres on it. SO2's on the rear, and some dreadful Pirrelli things on the front. So, as there is plenty of tread on the rear, I decided to change the fronts to SO2's or SO3's.
However - there is something strange going on. My front (and rear) tyres are funny sizes (I can't state them 'cause I can't remember them!). I consult Steve's book for advice. To my relief I find that this is normal for the early Chimaera's, but my local tyre place says that Bridgestone never made SO2's in the size of my front tyres and I'd have to pick another brand. Having said that, they would tell you that the sky was green if they thought you'd pay them.
Does anyone know if I can change the front tyres to the new (standard) size fitted to the later cars (the wheels are the same size) and leave the rears until they die naturally (remember the rears are slightly different as well!). Or will this upset the balance of the car and I have to replace all 4 now?
Also - have I been lied to? Did Bridgestone ever make the SO2 in the earlier size? If not, what did they come out of the factory with?
Sorry I can't be more specific. Take a gander at Steve's book for more enlightenment on the sizes.
Cheers
JB
I have a very early Chimaera, which has very strange tyres on it. SO2's on the rear, and some dreadful Pirrelli things on the front. So, as there is plenty of tread on the rear, I decided to change the fronts to SO2's or SO3's.
However - there is something strange going on. My front (and rear) tyres are funny sizes (I can't state them 'cause I can't remember them!). I consult Steve's book for advice. To my relief I find that this is normal for the early Chimaera's, but my local tyre place says that Bridgestone never made SO2's in the size of my front tyres and I'd have to pick another brand. Having said that, they would tell you that the sky was green if they thought you'd pay them.
Does anyone know if I can change the front tyres to the new (standard) size fitted to the later cars (the wheels are the same size) and leave the rears until they die naturally (remember the rears are slightly different as well!). Or will this upset the balance of the car and I have to replace all 4 now?
Also - have I been lied to? Did Bridgestone ever make the SO2 in the earlier size? If not, what did they come out of the factory with?
Sorry I can't be more specific. Take a gander at Steve's book for more enlightenment on the sizes.
Cheers
JB
Sorry to ressurect this thread, but I have a bit more info. I have 205/60/15's on the front, which is apparently what TVR fitted to the early Chim's.
I am trying to replace these with 205/55/15 SO2's without much luck. Cannot find any for love nor money. Actually, I haven't tried love yet - but I am not sure it would go down well with tyre dealers...
I am assuming that the change from a 60 to a 55 aspect ratio is not going to cause major problems, as TVR did this themselves. To correct the circumference I should theoretcially use a 225 tyre, but I value my arms. Would I need to recalibrate the speedo which is already a little generous!? Rears are also an 'early' size (225/55 I think, instead of 50), but are a better tyre and can be replaced at a later date.
Anyone any further enlightenment?
I am trying to replace these with 205/55/15 SO2's without much luck. Cannot find any for love nor money. Actually, I haven't tried love yet - but I am not sure it would go down well with tyre dealers...
I am assuming that the change from a 60 to a 55 aspect ratio is not going to cause major problems, as TVR did this themselves. To correct the circumference I should theoretcially use a 225 tyre, but I value my arms. Would I need to recalibrate the speedo which is already a little generous!? Rears are also an 'early' size (225/55 I think, instead of 50), but are a better tyre and can be replaced at a later date.
Anyone any further enlightenment?
/dolt mode on
You mean there isn't a small pick-up wheel rubbing against the front drivers side tyre?
My Raleigh used to have one of these. I assumed that it would be the same.
Apologies for my ignorance! But - this will presumably be a consideration when I replace the rear tyres.
/dolt mode off.
>> Edited by beljames on Friday 5th April 13:29
You mean there isn't a small pick-up wheel rubbing against the front drivers side tyre?
My Raleigh used to have one of these. I assumed that it would be the same.
Apologies for my ignorance! But - this will presumably be a consideration when I replace the rear tyres.
/dolt mode off.
>> Edited by beljames on Friday 5th April 13:29
I don't know anything about tyres really - I'm just going on the information on Steve's website where it says:
"As a rule of thumb, reducing the aspect ratio by 5% and increasing the tyre width by 20 mm will give you the same size circumference tyre to within a few mm. "
On the assumption that Steve knows considerably more about tyres than I do (i.e. that they are made of rubber) I took this on face value! I presume it has something to do with the calculation of the height (the 55 is a ratio not an absolute), and the height will affect the circumference - but thats just a guess!
"As a rule of thumb, reducing the aspect ratio by 5% and increasing the tyre width by 20 mm will give you the same size circumference tyre to within a few mm. "
On the assumption that Steve knows considerably more about tyres than I do (i.e. that they are made of rubber) I took this on face value! I presume it has something to do with the calculation of the height (the 55 is a ratio not an absolute), and the height will affect the circumference - but thats just a guess!
Where the speedo pick-up is located is dependent on the gearbox. The early cars have the pick-up on the gearbox, when the gearox was changed the speedo pick-up moved to the diff.
My early Chim has bridgestone RE71s as originally fitted (not the original tyres though). If you wanted to fit a 55 rather than a 60 wouldn't the width increase to 215 ?
Bob
My early Chim has bridgestone RE71s as originally fitted (not the original tyres though). If you wanted to fit a 55 rather than a 60 wouldn't the width increase to 215 ?
Bob
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