155-80-13 the right size for a '69 DHC?

PostPost by: tdskip » Sun Feb 23, 2020 1:52 pm

I have knock-off original steel wheels, body is unmodified. I know this has been the subject of much hand wringing, but wanted to double check before placing an order.

If that is the right size, lots of no-name tires to choose from but did see one brand I've run before with good results;

Kumho Solus TA11 155/80R13 79T BSW Tires

https://www.tires-easy.com/tires/155-80-13

Anyone have these?

Thanks!
SoCal
1969 Elan DHC
tdskip
Third Gear
Third Gear
 
Posts: 428
Joined: 13 Sep 2012

PostPost by: elanfan1 » Sun Feb 23, 2020 2:25 pm

Size is right, not sure about the speed rating.
Steve

Silence is Golden; Duct Tape is Silver
User avatar
elanfan1
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 1720
Joined: 13 Jan 2004

PostPost by: derek uk » Sun Feb 23, 2020 6:07 pm

R rating is up to 106mph. For general road driving I would say that was adequate.

https://www.protyre.co.uk/car-help-advi ... -explained
derek uk
Second Gear
Second Gear
 
Posts: 58
Joined: 30 Nov 2017

PostPost by: tdskip » Sun Feb 23, 2020 8:15 pm

Seeing that the car hasn’t turn the wheel under its own power since 1992 I think 106 max speed is probably fine as far as tires go. It’ll be a very good day when I need something that can handle more speed than that!

Thank you for the responses
SoCal
1969 Elan DHC
tdskip
Third Gear
Third Gear
 
Posts: 428
Joined: 13 Sep 2012

PostPost by: 65sunbeam » Mon Feb 24, 2020 1:01 am

I just bought a set of the Kumho Solus TA11 155/80R13 79T BSW Tires to fit on my Sunbeam Alpine with wire wheels. Ordered them from Walmart at $45 each with free shipping! Really nice tires that look vintage. Would like to try fitting them to an Elan to see how they fit. Oh-another thread talks about mounting tires at home. Learned how to do that years ago, besides not too many shops can mount inner tubes and tires on wire wheels....
User avatar
65sunbeam
First Gear
First Gear
 
Posts: 45
Joined: 23 Dec 2009

PostPost by: derek uk » Mon Feb 24, 2020 11:26 am

I think that 165/80 would be a better choice for the Alpine. They were optional at the time to the standard 600-13 cross ply. Alpine 965kg and Elan 680kg so you can see why the larger tyre is probably better.

Derek UK
derek uk
Second Gear
Second Gear
 
Posts: 58
Joined: 30 Nov 2017

PostPost by: tvr78 » Mon Feb 24, 2020 12:27 pm

I,ve had the kumho’s on my sprint for a couple of years now,165-80-13, and they are much better than the michelin energy tires i had before.
They were gone in 10k miles. The kumhos grip nicely ,you can slide them easily.
I think they have the grip that you need for a car designed in the sixties,you don’t want them too sticky.
Cheers
tvr78
First Gear
First Gear
 
Posts: 24
Joined: 28 Jul 2015

PostPost by: tdskip » Mon Feb 24, 2020 3:04 pm

Thanks for the feedback, agree that a quick way to ruin a vintage car is too much tire. I made than mistake with my Bugeye.
SoCal
1969 Elan DHC
tdskip
Third Gear
Third Gear
 
Posts: 428
Joined: 13 Sep 2012

PostPost by: tdskip » Mon Feb 24, 2020 11:25 pm

Tires ordered and wheels back from bowling powder coated, progress.
SoCal
1969 Elan DHC
tdskip
Third Gear
Third Gear
 
Posts: 428
Joined: 13 Sep 2012

PostPost by: Seamus » Thu Feb 27, 2020 1:53 pm

The speed rating for Kumho Solus TA11 155/80R13 79T BSW Tyres is T and nor R as previously mentioned.

T = up to 118mph,
Seamus Doyle

1968 Elan S4 45/8357
1968 MGC Roadster
2002 MG TF160
2008 Lotus 2-Eleven
User avatar
Seamus
Second Gear
Second Gear
 
Posts: 63
Joined: 01 Dec 2018

PostPost by: Quart Meg Miles » Thu Mar 05, 2020 3:23 pm

Seamus wrote:The speed rating for Kumho Solus TA11 155/80R13 79T BSW Tyres is T and nor R as previously mentioned.

T = up to 118mph,

In the UK the speed rating has to match or exceed the car's capability, not the user's anticipated use. Some MoTs testers would fail a car on that point but the police probably wouldn't pick it up unless you had an incident.
Meg

26/4088 1965 S1½ Old and scruffy but in perfect working order; the car too.
________________Put your money where your mouse is, click on "Support LotusElan.net" below.
User avatar
Quart Meg Miles
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 1170
Joined: 03 Oct 2012

PostPost by: dougal cawley » Mon Apr 06, 2020 12:04 pm

Have you seen this web page

https://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/classi ... /elan.html

We offer proper period tyres by top brands that will make the car drive at it's best
dougal cawley
Second Gear
Second Gear
 
Posts: 152
Joined: 20 Dec 2011

Total Online:

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 14 guests