classic elan tyres

[andrew ball]

is anyone using any other tyre than the very expensive Michelin XASFF? - sorry i know its boring but can't see a recent thread on this
i am just looking for a decent road tyre that will have the same soft ride and handling as my old vectors
are there still any non steel belted tyres?

[Quart Meg Miles]

I've been happy on Firestone F-590 145-13 80 section tyres on 4?" rims and haven't ridden on non-steel for thirty years. Fiive years ago they cost me ?160 for four including valves and balancing. That would get you one XAS. There might be more choices at 155 width as 145s are getting scarce as car weights have risen.

They are progressive on the break and pretty consistent over their life which is about 15,000 miles. I swap rears and fronts at least once to even the wear. I'm going to turn them round on the rims (though running them in their original directions) to see how that improves the life, as recommended by my supplier, and I'll report on that later.

[gearbox]

Khumos on my S4 works well.

[AHM]

+1 for the F590's

[el-saturn]

.........and I use yokohama A539s 175/60/13 - a modern tyre versus having to get these eco and miles-saving
or disabled car crap! try ?em, you??l like ?em! greetings from the UNsummer 36 4982 sandy

[Fred Talmadge]

175/60/13 won't fit on old S1/S2 wheels nor under the body without mofications. 155 is the limit and think what this owner wants. Just want to be clear about that.

[Galwaylotus]

I agree. The initial poster doesn't want to change the characteristics of his Elan (nor do I!!!).

[el-saturn]

...................i also have the reg steel 4,5" rims - the rearsring platform needed a tiny bit of force, the rear wheels arches needed a 5mm mod and off I was - handling much better (i do however also have the TTR track/road
suspension) --------- as an engineer stagnation is always a step backwards! sandy

[Quart Meg Miles]

..............(i do however also have the TTR track/road
suspension) --------- as an engineer stagnation is always a step backwards! sandy

As an engineer, should you have changed two things and drawn a conclusion on one? Get yourself some F590s and report back.

[Galwaylotus]

[el-saturn]

...........now that looks like a lovey suggestion: it would of been kinder to suggest: yoko 048 or the federal FZ-201 --- an elan, in my opinion should feel like a cart: 100% predictable -- my other driving experience is a 3L TDI Quattro station wagen - that's about as "soft" as my elan WAS! sandy 36/4982

[Thornts]

Sandy. Does it 'handle' better or 'grip' better? Two different things in my view and with my "cat-like" reflexes I need to be going pretty slowly when the grip goes. I'd rather have a lot of fun at 30 mph than none at 50 mph... Just a point of view, no offence intended.

Rob
S3 SE FHC (30 would be a dream never mind 50)
S2 7

[Galwaylotus]

..an elan, in my opinion should feel like a cart:

That was not Chapman's philosophy. He believed in compliant suspension (that includes wheel and tyre) and low mass, particularly unsprung mass. That would suggest retaining something close to original wheel and tyre specifications. I happen to like the original feel of the Elan. If mine was for track use I'd do it differently but I'm referring to road use only.

[Quart Meg Miles]

[quote="Galwaylotus I happen to like the original feel of the Elan. ....I'm referring to road use only. [/quote]

As was Andrew Ball who started this thread and who is now hiding under the bed covers.

Keep your doughnuts and rubber bushes too, Andrew, to maintain the sublime ride.

[el-saturn]

................... i suppose some of us (like myself) are sick enough to see where the limits of the elan are (for this it's better to be on a proper circuit) ----------------- and how far you want to slide (sliding is always losing time). once you've figured all of that out, you can hit the road again: driving maybe a tiny bit quicker AND ALSO MUCH SAFER. so now with all of the new gear in place i'm finally all set............................ sandy j 36/4982