Tyre availability

[gridgway]

The reason why my new to me XI has no grip is that the tyres were made in 2007. I've also got an eighties Caterham that had the same age tyre which felt exactly the same on the road.

I think the choice in tyres of the right size gets worse and worse. The current ones are Toyos in 165/70 13 size.

I can't find anything remotely good in that size. Do 185s fit without rubbing?

Any recommendations here please?

[jonclancy]

My tyres were rather venerable, so recently replaced them. I went for a slightly left field choice:

165/80 R13 Falken Sincera SN832 Ecorun.

They don’t rub, but you’ll need to make sure that the headlamp bowls are flattened at the back (should be).

I think Jan runs 175/65s - he’ll be along in a mo to confirm I’m sure.

I went for the eco tyres thinking that they may move around a little. Too much grip in the XI turns it into a go-kart!

Here’s a small discussion on the subject:

https://www.westfield-eleven.org/forum/ ... =175#p5071

[Westfield 129]

I am running an off brand 185/70/13. No problems on the 5" rims. Grip was good, but they are now old, and with my 1380 race engine, I can spin both tires off a corner, even with two people in the car. So... I am saving for a set of 15" wheels and some Dunlop race tires.

If the money doesn't matter and you want Caterham autocross handling (LOTS of grip, perhaps too much for those of you who like to slide around) you an go for a set of Avon CR6ZZs in 185/70 (I have these on my Morgan +8 and they are EXCELLENT!). Or any 185/70/13 that you like (its a common size, and also offered in vintage rally and road/race tires). You will likely have more grip than HP. But the tires will be relatively easy to source. Otherwise, the best and most accurate handling comes from the Dunlop vintage race tires in 4.50X15 and 5.00X15 on 15X5" and 15X5.5~6.0" rims. The steering is light, accurate and the 4 wheel drift is just a flex of your big toe away. Lots of grip, but you can toss it around, you know, like 1957... Wheee!

I accidentally caught a brick on the freeway, damaging one of my brand new 185/70s a decade or so ago, and was able to get flat bedded up the road to a tire store that had a replacement in stock, so there is that convenience. The reality is that my "Primewell" tires (from the local Firestone/Bridgestone store), worked quite well. Interestingly enough, on my car the rears have been wearing quite a bit more than the fronts. Probably the 125 HP and the LSD. I love squeezing the throttle off the corners... no inside wheel spin.

[biggles]

We have the Primewell tyres in UK, but IIRC the Dunlops are not road legal here…

[gridgway]

Interesting tyre info, thanks. I wasn't sure that 185s would work on a 5" rim.

When I asked the factory they didn't encourage wider tyres as they said the clearance on full lock at the front was marginal.

The Avon CR6ZZs being crossply will be excellent for grip plus very nice to slide on the limit. They are road legal in the UK (I think that's their "thing" where the Dunlop Ls and Ms are not).

There certainly looks to be loads of space at the back for wider tyres like 185s, haven't investigated the front yet.

I don't have a racey motor, so don't want to go for too big a tyre and spoil the balance.

[gridgway]

Just for fun... CR65ZZ £280 a tyre not fitted, Primewell fully fitted £44

[Westfield 129]

The CR6ZZ is a radial. But it drives much as a proper bias ply at the limit. I have these expensive tires on my Morgan. They don't make a size that fits a 15" rim for the 11.

As for the Dunlops being not "road legal", well, not much of a problem here in the 'States. Nobody seems to care, though road tires must have "DOT" markings to be sold as road tires. We don't have inspections... Just payment of fees see in California.