Bias Ply Tire?

[Plymouthy Adams]

does it really make a difference....folks will buy what they want, run what they want, folks still seek like minded folks to justify their choices,,,bottom line is...does the DOT mandate that X year old tires are illegal?????????   do insurance companies require or set mandates on tire age and use on the road??????????  you can talk till you blue in the face pro or con but YET..the industry is still only  RECOMMENDED   

[55 Fargo]

does it really make a difference....folks will buy what they want, run what they want, folks still seek like minded folks to justify their choices,,,bottom line is...does the DOT mandate that X year old tires are illegal?????????   do insurance companies require or set mandates on tire age and use on the road??????????  you can talk till you blue in the face pro or con but YET..the industry is still only  RECOMMENDED   

Tim, now sit back and take a deep breath, it's as you say, 1 mans "meat" is another man's "poison". People will always do what they reckon is right for them,not always the correct choice. In my case the pocket book always makes that choice for me unfortunately...

[Plymouthy Adams]

exactly my point...your wallet will dictate your choices......deep breath not needed...but a sigh of exasperation may be in order...

[55 Fargo]

exactly my point...your wallet will dictate your choices......deep breath not needed...but a sigh of exasperation may be in order...

Okay Tim, the wallet dictates all choices.....................LOL

[knuckleharley]

Tod, 60 mph is nothin, try 200 mph with hand shaved tires on a 1922 Indian scout at Bonneville. Bert Munro of New Zealand, ring a bell.

Okay just foolin with ya, not sure what tires Mr Munro used on that old Indian at Bonneville...

Burt Monro was a hero of mine when I was a kid,and I have seen nothing about him that has caused me to change my mind now that I am a geezer.

 

The Worlds Fastest Indian is one of my favorite movies.

[wayfarerstranger]

i use whaT ever tires i can sneak out of tim`s garage !!

[JIPJOBXX]

Well here is a set of tires that have lasted 100 years and there still in good shape but i do not know if they are called bias-ply or not.  Not made for high speed  but for the long haul and the strong man:)

 

Just one of the many different rigs at the Lamay open house today!!!!

Edited September 1, 2013 by JIPJOBXX

[Plymouthy Adams]

i use whaT ever tires i can sneak out of tim`s garage !!

 

That explains a lot....

[Scruffy49]

I know the LT235/75R15 tires on my Sweptline have been on it since before I bought the truck Labor Day weekend 2004...

 

The blackwall bias ply tires on my B1B are older than I am, as are the wide white replacing them (for showing off use, not road use). The road use wheels are 1978 Dodge truck 15 inchers that are getting new radials and full wheel covers as money allows.

 

I run tires until they either pop or have outgassed enough that I can see cords in the cracks.

[TodFitch]

Well here is a set of tires that have lasted 100 years and there still in good shape but i do not know if they are called bias-ply or not.  Not made for high speed  but for the long haul and the strong man:)

 

Just one of the many different rigs at the Lamay open house today!!!!

Those tires are, unsurprisingly, called solid rubber. They are in some way bonded to the steel wheel. I believe some materials handling equipment still use tires of that type. And, IIRC, they are still mentioned in the California motor vehicle code where vehicles so equipped are limited to something like 15 MPH.

[_shel_ny]

I know the LT235/75R15 tires on my Sweptline have been on it since before I bought the truck Labor Day weekend 2004...

 

The blackwall bias ply tires on my B1B are older than I am, as are the wide white replacing them (for showing off use, not road use). The road use wheels are 1978 Dodge truck 15 inchers that are getting new radials and full wheel covers as money allows.

 

I run tires until they either pop or have outgassed enough that I can see cords in the cracks.

 

 

May our paths never cross

[DJ194950]

I remember as a kid people having a very hard time getting to the side of the road  or crashing often also with the old bias ply tires that would blow out when flat! We are talking late 50's-early 60's.

Do not care for them at all because of this. I've had several radials go totally flat even fly to pieces without any problem driving to a clear area of road even when driving 70mph.

No bias for me, I don't like driving slow.

Just me!

 

Doug

[55 Fargo]

So here is a bit of an update, the said tires are Dunlop Gold Seal 78 series sport bias ply WW L78 15s. The tires have no miles, most likely less than a few hunnert, they were on a 56 Caddy Coupe Deville, and it was inside all the time, and in a museum for a few years too. the car is heavy, wonder how much effect it had on sidewalls of these 4 ply passenger tires.

They look mint inside and out except for some light blemishes on the whites.

My truck has new shocks, king pins in good condition, steering box small amount of play, pitman shaft tie rod assembly tight and in very good condition, outer tie rod ends have play, just waiting on parts. Current toe-in 1/8, caster and camber, unknown and have no idea if both sides the same, did not notice any uneven wear on old tires.

Driving on smooth flat surface no issues, ride is quite smooth. Driving on rutted or loose gravel or uneven pavement cause some major drifting if you don't really watch it.

The same issues was evident on the 56 Caddy, which was supposed to have a good tight front end. I did not drive the car, but Buddy did not like the handling with the tires. I at first thought he was so used to radials and modern cars, that he was being fussy.

I am waiting to see how they handle gravel roads and pavement inconsistencies, before I make some more decisions.

My research has discovered cars with suspect front ends, and/or old bias tires that have been in service a lot of miles can cause all of the negative symptoms and driving/handling issues.i have owner a few vehicles in my youth, with bias ply tires, none handled as poorly as my truck does on gravel. Yes they handled not as well as radials or modern vehicles but very good nonetheless.

So will find out, and if these tires look great, but have time in service issues, will make ornaments out of them.....thanx 

This afternoon adjusted the steering box, just a bit, made a difference, once outer tie rod ends are replaced, will be a good and tight front end.

2 things that also add into the mix,tires have not been balanced yet, and the rear wheels track a bit wider than the front, as my 1980s Mopar 8 1/4 diff is wider than stock I suppose.

1 rear rim is also a 1/2 wider, not sure that makes a big hooey or not.

Just came back from a ride, on a rutted gravel road, with loose gravel not bad if you stay under 35-40 mph, but you really got watch, on the highway not bad again but nothing like my old radials that were beat -up. On wet pavement could be interesting, I am not crazy about the feel of this over 40 mph, am I chicken or is there more going on here. I have driven other bias ply tire cars,but this feels dicey.

Not going to "eat crow yet", but this may be a short lived thing, but man they do look sweet on my truck......

[1950 Special Deluxe]

2 things that also add into the mix,tires have not been balanced yet, and the rear wheels track a bit wider than the front, as my 1980s Mopar 8 1/4 diff is wider than stock I suppose.

..

I have used this method to balance several tires, both radials and the WWW's on my car now. Seems to work ok?

http://aircooledtech.com/tools-on-the-cheap/balancing_beads/

It sure makes used tires more attractive, most places around here want $25 - 30 to mount and balance a tire. I have a Princess Auto tire machine that works pretty good.

[55 Fargo]

I have used this method to balance several tires, both radials and the WWW's on my car now. Seems to work ok?

http://aircooledtech.com/tools-on-the-cheap/balancing_beads/

It sure makes used tires more attractive, most places around here want $25 - 30 to mount and balance a tire. I have a Princess Auto tire machine that works pretty good.

Thanx Neil, I also have the princess auto tire changer, but can have them mounted and balanced free st work in the fleet vehicle garage when time permits

[deathbound]

 

So here is a bit of an update, the said tires are Dunlop Gold Seal 78 series sport bias ply WW L78 15s. The tires have no miles, most likely less than a few hunnert, they were on a 56 Caddy Coupe Deville, and it was inside all the time, and in a museum for a few years too. the car is heavy, wonder how much effect it had on sidewalls of these 4 ply passenger tires.

They look mint inside and out except for some light blemishes on the whites.

My truck has new shocks, king pins in good condition, steering box small amount of play, pitman shaft tie rod assembly tight and in very good condition, outer tie rod ends have play, just waiting on parts. Current toe-in 1/8, caster and camber, unknown and have no idea if both sides the same, did not notice any uneven wear on old tires.

Driving on smooth flat surface no issues, ride is quite smooth. Driving on rutted or loose gravel or uneven pavement cause some major drifting if you don't really watch it.

The same issues was evident on the 56 Caddy, which was supposed to have a good tight front end. I did not drive the car, but Buddy did not like the handling with the tires. I at first thought he was so used to radials and modern cars, that he was being fussy.

I am waiting to see how they handle gravel roads and pavement inconsistencies, before I make some more decisions.

My research has discovered cars with suspect front ends, and/or old bias tires that have been in service a lot of miles can cause all of the negative symptoms and driving/handling issues.i have owner a few vehicles in my youth, with bias ply tires, none handled as poorly as my truck does on gravel. Yes they handled not as well as radials or modern vehicles but very good nonetheless.

So will find out, and if these tires look great, but have time in service issues, will make ornaments out of them.....thanx 

This afternoon adjusted the steering box, just a bit, made a difference, once outer tie rod ends are replaced, will be a good and tight front end.

2 things that also add into the mix,tires have not been balanced yet, and the rear wheels track a bit wider than the front, as my 1980s Mopar 8 1/4 diff is wider than stock I suppose.

1 rear rim is also a 1/2 wider, not sure that makes a big hooey or not.

Just came back from a ride, on a rutted gravel road, with loose gravel not bad if you stay under 35-40 mph, but you really got watch, on the highway not bad again but nothing like my old radials that were beat -up. On wet pavement could be interesting, I am not crazy about the feel of this over 40 mph, am I chicken or is there more going on here. I have driven other bias ply tire cars,but this feels dicey.

Not going to "eat crow yet", but this may be a short lived thing, but man they do look sweet on my truck......

 

 

I was reading a thread on the HAMB last night about bias ply tires & was going to add the link to this forum/thread & noticed you copied the above post on the HAMB thread. Was any of the info helpful? Here's the link if anyone is interested: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=790196

 

55Fargo, I just purchased & installed new bias ply tires....w/tubes. It drives very nice....had it up to about 70mph recently on the freeway with no complaints, holding on with a light grip of the steering wheel. Have never had it on gravel, so I can't comment on that. I completely rebuilt my steering box, front suspension (new leaf springs, shocks, tie rods, drag link end, king pins) so there is literally no play in the steering. I haven't noticed much rain groove "tracking" either. I'm sure radials are a smoother ride than bias ply, but since my car is not a daily driver, it's no big deal to me. I also think these cars/trucks look more "correct" with bias ply. You stated the wallet dictates the choice & that may be true sometimes, but me personally, I'd rather pay the difference for something I will enjoy & not "settle" for. Don't get me wrong, I will purchase radials in the future.......for my wife's daily driver. Good luck with your tires & truck, from what you've described, you shouldn't have a problem.

[55 Fargo]

I was reading a thread on the HAMB last night about bias ply tires & was going to add the link to this forum/thread & noticed you copied the above post on the HAMB thread. Was any of the info helpful? Here's the link if anyone is interested: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=790196

 

55Fargo, I just purchased & installed new bias ply tires....w/tubes. It drives very nice....had it up to about 70mph recently on the freeway with no complaints, holding on with a light grip of the steering wheel. Have never had it on gravel, so I can't comment on that. I completely rebuilt my steering box, front suspension (new leaf springs, shocks, tie rods, drag link end, king pins) so there is literally no play in the steering. I haven't noticed much rain groove "tracking" either. I'm sure radials are a smoother ride than bias ply, but since my car is not a daily driver, it's no big deal to me. I also think these cars/trucks look more "correct" with bias ply. You stated the wallet dictates the choice & that may be true sometimes, but me personally, I'd rather pay the difference for something I will enjoy & not "settle" for. Don't get me wrong, I will purchase radials in the future.......for my wife's daily driver. Good luck with your tires & truck, from what you've described, you shouldn't have a problem.

Thanx Deathbound, hey i read that HAMB thread last night too. barring my tires are out of round or otherwise damaged , should eventually be good to go. the tie rod ends are very pathetic, hopefully new ones will make a big difference.

hey that "Potholder" diner still open, is it on Broadway, how about the Honey Bucket bar, and Marris Pizza.....take care

[deathbound]

Thanx Deathbound, hey i read that HAMB thread last night too. barring my tires are out of round or otherwise damaged , should eventually be good to go. the tie rod ends are very pathetic, hopefully new ones will make a big difference.

hey that "Potholder" diner still open, is it on Broadway, how about the Honey Bucket bar, and Marris Pizza.....take care

 

Yes, new tie rods will make a big difference. If the tires are out of round, isn't there a machine they can put 'em on & shave 'em to get them round or very close?

 

The Potholder is a couple blocks from where my brother lives, never heard of the Honey Bucket bar, & if you're talking about Marri's Pizza on Stearns, it's about 1/2 mile down the street from me.....very good pizza. Sounds like you know Long Beach well.

[55 Fargo]

Just went for a 22 mile drive, on highway,(wheels not balanced causing the problem on there kept speed to 50 mph, and let traffic back up), only for about 2 miles though......hehehe. Around town, no issues whatsoever, not even while driving over railway tracks. Then drove down a windy old highway along the river, bumper to bumper traffic at 45-50 mph, not so fun as it really twists and winds. Next on a very potholed roadway, not that bad, no issues on pot holes, just bumpy, these tires handle that better than my old radials.

The pics to prove.

 

Deathbound, spent some time in LB many,many years ago, the bucket might have been on 2nd st or 4th st, can't remember, then there was the Reno Room, 36 36 Club, and a few others. stayed on Termino, broke foot there got fixed up at Long Beach community hospital. Remember going to a nice restaurant called the Port Club, 

[55 Fargo]

I have used this method to balance several tires, both radials and the WWW's on my car now. Seems to work ok?

http://aircooledtech.com/tools-on-the-cheap/balancing_beads/

It sure makes used tires more attractive, most places around here want $25 - 30 to mount and balance a tire. I have a Princess Auto tire machine that works pretty good.

Tired unsuccessfully to spin balance these tires today. The machine is a new machine, so either tires are out of round or something. 

I posted this on the other thread in the Truck section too.

Not usre if beads would work in this scenario, although it apparently works well with the big tire off road crew. Many of those type tires used pellets, or pad balancing too.... So will use these tires as rollers for now, until I get more work done on the truck, I have nothing invested in them anyway.... There is also no esablishments up here, that shave and tru bias belted tires...

[De Soto Frank]

How about a good old-fashioned bubble-balancer ?

 

I use a cheap-a__  H-F model and seems to work ok for my '41 De Soto ( 6.50-16 bias ), which sees hwy speeds up to 55-60 mph...

[55 Fargo]

How about a good old-fashioned bubble-balancer ?

 

I use a cheap-a__  H-F model and seems to work ok for my '41 De Soto ( 6.50-16 bias ), which sees hwy speeds up to 55-60 mph...

They sell those here at Princess Auto too..... 

[Plymouthy Adams]

cheap-o harbor freight is just that..there is no real quality here on balancing....if you do not have a good bubble balancer like that say of a Micro---you are only going to get so close...and use of the bubble requires the proper  technique of applying 4 weights of equal value..oh you can balance a tire many ways..but the tire will more than not develop flat spots using any other methods

[TodFitch]

Bubble balancer is okay for achieving "static balance" but not "dynamic balance". Fortunately if you have the old skinny wheels static balance is often enough. If you are going wider than stock then spin balancing is the way to go.

[55 Fargo]

If i could get these babies balanced, will use em, don't drive faster than 55-60 mph anyways. Or most likely will have to return to radials. It will be what it will be. I am doing body work right now, and have n no plans of any real driving until next spring....