white wall tyres

[Geoff & Jude]

hi all

thought i'd start a thread on white walls so the info doesn't get lost in the roadmaster thread. (maybe krisbee can move the tyre specific info from the roadmaster thread to this one when she gets the time).

earlee

the tyres on the van are normal black walls from yokohama. they are:

"super steel RY208 steel belted radials, tube type, 7.00R15, 8PR (8 ply - i presume) LT (light truck)"

the white walls are ajax portawalls - 15" wide trims (2-3/4"), purchase from antique tyre supplies at ingleburn, sydney. david stuart is the owner (a really nice guy) and his number is 02 9618 2788 or 0428 282 360.

a set of 4 cost $136.36

i also bought a single 1-1/2" for the spare on the crown for $31.82

he also has 13", 14" and 16" portawalls and if you've got a wallet full of money, he also sells american imported 'proper' whitewalls, but they're not cheap. i priced some for the crown and from memory they were about $275-$300 each. a bit out of my league at the moment.

kb

i was not aware that 'flappers' caused side wall wear, so i will keep an eye on that and replace the tyres if significant wear appears.

can't see the point in spending BIG money on 'real' whitewalls when they recommend that the tyres should be replaced every 4-5 years regardless of wear. info i've been given is that after that period, the sidewalls deteriorate due to ozone effect (and from being stationery for prolonged periods) and become unstable and are likely to blow out. (this has happened to a neighbours van twice when the treads still had about 80% depth).

geoff 'n jude

[krisbee]

OK Geoff, here are the earlier posts on tyres ;D

This was earlee's post,

hey geoffnjude,

the van looks great and the whitewalls are the finishing touch.

What size tyres did you get and how many plies - if you dont mind me asking - ?? Or are they porta walls? I want to get something similar for my old bondy.

regards
earlee.


And your reply,


hey earlee

i'm at work at the moment, so i'll check the sizes tomorrow morning and let you know.

all i know at the moment is that they are 15" cusso wheels with light truck tyres (BIG light truck tyres) from yokohama.

geoff 'n jude

And then JBJ added,

Hi Earlee,

Theres a guy at Bribie Island specialises in US tyres, including whitewalls. I bought the tyres on Groovin from him, when I run them on front of my hotrod. He was so much cheaper than anyone else I could find, but still around $275 per tyre in 6.40x15
in genuine Goodyear wide whitewall.

I think thats a fair price, as I just bought some 6.40x13 for my Sunliner, blackwalls made in China, for $120 each.

Also theres a company in Melbourne or two that sell US imports, but freight gets to be a bit much.

If you want portawalls, Johns Rod & Custom on 03-97962251 can help there, and Kaybee probably has lots of other options for you as he"s in the thick of things down there in Mexico.

Pete & Trish live on Bribie, & they know the guy selling the tyres. Maybe they can help you with a contact name & number.

See you soon. Jailbarjuice

Then Humpty joined in ,

TBought 6.50X13 Sumotomo's from Bob Janes for $99 ea fitted about a year ago and they had the 1" whitewall/ring on them too

JBJ again,

Hi humpty,


Thats one of the luxuries of living in civilization, you get to shop with the big boys.


Jailbarjuice


And lastly, Kaybee,

Evenin' Gents, greetings from the deep south , be careful of Portawalls, they tend to chew into the sidewalls which isn't a good thing, definitely never use them on Radials.Best plan is to cough up for good tyres, nothing worse than blowing a tyre in the middle of nowhere and not being able to find a replacement.

Back on topic, the van looks terrific Geoff, well done , Cheers, Col.

Pretty sure I did this the hard way, Kris ;D ;D

[Geoff & Jude]

thanks kris

geoff 'n jude

[jrod]

Hi Geoff,

It may be worthwhile looking into getting the white walls moulded onto the tyre.

With my Franklin, we just got a set of normal tyres then had a guy come around and mould the white onto the tyre. Im not too sure exactly how he did it cos i was at work. Looks the goods, just like a propper whitewall. It was $25 a tyre and he came to the house! That was in Melb though which could be a problem given you are in NSW!

If you are keen to investigate i would be more than happy to PM you his number in case he knows of anyone in NSW that does it.

Cheers J-Rod.

ps i always find putting jacks under the van to take the weight of the tyres helps extend their life!

[Geoff & Jude]

hi jrod

the idea of the moulded w/w sounds good, but too late for me now. i've already spent on the 'flappers' so i'll stick with them for the time being.

thanks for the info,

geoff 'n jude

[hwyman]

Hi All;

My brother had one of those white wall machines some years back. Cost about $600, not sure now if he got it from Sydney or Brisbane. Basically they are a fwd-rv power drill in a box, driving a flexy drive cable with a grinding disc on the end. It also drives a shaft thats sticks out of the box and is pushed under the tyre to rotate it. The disk cuts into the wall of the tyre a few millimetres and can be adjusted to the width band you want. Then they use a little aluminum roller with a squeeze bottle attached to put the white or red walls on. They use to use a special swimming pool paint that had a flexible membrane that allowed it to flex with the wall of the tyre. It looked very effective, but i don't know how you would go claiming for a defected tyre once you have cut a groove into the wall. You could possibly void your warranty.

Hwyman

[hwyman]

;D here's one to get you started.

cgi.ebay.com.au/Wingfoot-whitewall-packet_W0QQitemZ330119210160QQihZ014QQcategoryZ31252QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[exocet]

The machine hwyman describes is, a very good way of putting w walls on your van at whatever width you want very economically, it cost us $20 each tyre in 1997 and now its $50 per tyre ,and they have lasted 10 yrs and many thousands of kms,including one 6mth trip to the BIG island [we're in Tassie], so if anybody can get near one of those machines at a reasonable price, i would highly recommend them. Cheers exocet

[RollyDog]

Hi. I haven't been on the group for a while so just noticed this topic. The white/wall white ribbon tyres, especially in 13 inch are getting thin on the ground now with several companies pulling out (I recently bought Sumitomo but they are supposedly finished) but have now got a batch of Kuhmo 185/70 13 and the first 4 we fitted to an Fc Holden & they look great, especially for the price and it looks like this supply will continue. I have used some 14 inch Kingstars but supply is also thin but if anyone can suggest other brands let me know & I'll try & get them in for our shop at Lawnton on the north side of Brisbane. Car Club & Group members always get a good price as I'd prefer to fit up some classics rather than the low profile stuff on the late model cars.
My teardrop should be ready in the next 2 months and it has a set of white walls waiting.
Rod G.

[Deleted]

Hi Rod

Try John Cain Tyres in Newcastle. He runs a full page advert in "Just Cars".
I think the tyres are called "Diamond" they are imported from America. Red and whitewalls in all sizes from 13" upwards.
Hope this helps
Reddo

[sportsman 1]

Hey guys,

I have recently fitted 185/75 14 Sumitomos to Myrtle for the trip north (just 19 more sleeps!) to match those on the Vagabond and wasnt told they were finishing. Might check this out and if so I might buy a couple of spares.

Thanks for the tip Rod. By the way hows progress on the TD going?

cheers, Leigh.

[RollyDog]

Leigh
The teardrop got stalled while I finish the Hunter wagon and tomorrow after three and a half years of work it finally gets registered. Now the race engine for the Sunbeam Rapier has turned up(needed for Mt Cotton, Leyburn and Speed on Tweed) but the teardrop will definately see the All British Day in brisbane in September. If anyone is heading to the RACQ Motorfest in at the RNA Grounds - Brisbane on Sunday have a look out for the bright yellow Hillman Hunter Safari wagon or drop in to the "Leaded Magazine" stand and say hello.
Rod G.

[earlee]

hey hillmansafari ;D

It seems that you have a tyre shop on the northside?
I am wanting to get a set of 14" whitewall tyres for my new towcar.
Where in Lawnton are you?
(Would you pm me if you dont want the details on the forum)

thanks
Earlee.

[sutcac]

Hey Earlee. Got my wide whites for the EJ Panelvan (14 " HQ ) from John Cain, Newcastle................1200 nicker though !

Cheers ,Clyde

[davep]

I had Sumitomo thinline whitewalls on my XY wagon but I believe no longer available. Hankook make thinlines in a few sizes quite reasonable price and good tyres. GT Radials have 15s only I believe but cheap. Wide whites are expensive regardless of brand or size. Our Cadillac has Coker Radials from Antique Tyres (dear but good to deal with) John Cain has Diamondback and Goodyear wide whites (still not cheap) and also cheap thinline whites and Ausam Wheels in Melbourne also have them available.

[RollyDog]

Earlee,
Appologies for not getting back on the site sooner. If you haven't already got your whitewalls give me a call. Big Tyre Group 20 Paisley drive, Lawnton 3889 6768. We have just got a batch of 185/70 13 Kuhmos and on a black HR Premier they looked great plus have just ordered some 14 inch and I think some 15's which are good for beetles, Kombis and Chevs etc.
I am just finishing the Holbay motor in the Sunbeam Rapier for Leyburn Sprints and the get into the teardrop with the aim of it appearing at the All british Day in September. the yellow Hunter wagon is in daily use & the white walls go on it very soon..
Rod G.