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Tyre size,SA

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Wannavee Insano Dub Head

729 posts · joined Sep 2008 ·

#673029
Hey all.My recently purchased 63 beetle has 125 x 15 front yres that are past their use by date and follow
every groove in the road.
Ive put on some 165's that are good nick but hit the guards when the wheel is turned (been lowered a bit).
As I'm going to the Sturt police station for a vehicle identity check next week (yikes!) i dont want plod slapping a defect sticker on it.
My question's are, what is the original tyre width for a 63 beetle and if i buy some 135's, are they legal in SA?
Any advice would be great.

Bizarre Moderator The artist formerly known as blue74l

12,789 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#673030
165-ish is the radial equielant
In those days it was cross ply

Technically if it has been lowered it would need an engineers report etc etc

Personally i wouldnt drive on 125/13 Cal look tyres - but if you want a cool lowered beam beetle that is the price you pay
Futue te ipsum!!!

Wannavee Insano Dub Head

729 posts · joined Sep 2008 ·

#673034
Cheers bud.
Yeah,thought that maybe the size.
Once its been passed (i hope) Ill put up with the pizza cutters.145's maybe the go if i can get them

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#673046
Yes,
original sized radial ply tyres was 155 x 15
which are no longer available in the normal tyre shops..
165 x 15 are now used...

135 x 15 145 x 15 are NOT usually available from your normal tyre shop

antique tyres usually have all sizes but at a PRICE $$$

remember that most of your braking an a car is done by the front tyres....
so I wouldn't have 135 or 145s...

cheers

LEE
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

Wannavee Insano Dub Head

729 posts · joined Sep 2008 ·

#673050
Cheers Lee.That makes sense to me!
Love the pizza cutter look but not real happy with the potential braking problems.
Lee

57 Cal look Officially Full-On Dubber

370 posts · joined Sep 2002 ·

#673338
NANGKANG make a 135 & 145 15 tyre, most tyre places can get them and they are ok in SA ... i run 135's on my beetle & 145's on my razor... both see the road all the time as they are both daily drivers and i live in SA, been pulled over a couple of times, usually for being too low .... but never once faulted for the tyre size.

Also went to regency with 135's on the car and passed, with nothing said about them.

hope that helps
Aerodynamics are for people who cant build engines - Enzo Ferrari

You buy a Ferrari when you want to be somebody, you buy a Lamborghini when you are somebody - Frank Sinatra

57 Cal look Officially Full-On Dubber

370 posts · joined Sep 2002 ·

#673340
oh yeah , never had a problem with them stopping my car, nor have they ever stepped out on a cornor on drives up through the hills either.

i find most people that say they are a problem have never had them on a car ... i use both sizes all the time and have never had a drama. in dry or wet.
Aerodynamics are for people who cant build engines - Enzo Ferrari

You buy a Ferrari when you want to be somebody, you buy a Lamborghini when you are somebody - Frank Sinatra

Wannavee Insano Dub Head

729 posts · joined Sep 2008 ·

#673397
Cheers guys.
As my beetle has been lowered a bit and the 165's are touching the guards at full turn,ill go for the 145's before i get it inspected.
Ive no time to get the front end raised up before wednesday or thursday so ill just hafta pray i get a decent copper at Sturt police station.
I appreciate your comments and advice

boristherat Wolfsburg Wizard

563 posts · joined Mar 2006 ·

#673579
Hey dude, saw your car on the road coming out of 'The Tread Shed' the other day. She's a hot looker. Good luck with the inspection.


1959 Mercedes Benz 190
1963 Chevrolet Corvair
1969 BMW 2002 Auto
1973 Mercedes Benz 230.6

Wannavee Insano Dub Head

729 posts · joined Sep 2008 ·

#673735
Cheers boris,i love it.
To be honest,I'm amazed at the amount of attention vw's get.Shoulda got one years ago.
Fingers crossed the ID check doesnt turn into a canary
on the window! Seeya on the road,ill be the one with the stupid grin on my face

eraser Fahrvergnugen

970 posts · joined Mar 2005 ·

#673859
whats the identity check for? what caused it to need this identity check?

Wannavee Insano Dub Head

729 posts · joined Sep 2008 ·

#673874
Its a Victorian car and the engine number was different to
what was on the rego papers.
Before any interstate vehicle is regoed in SA,they must first pass the engine and
chassis number check.And to verify that its not a 'rebirthed' car or its been stolen etc.
I took it to Sturt Police station and it took 5 minutes to do the check.
Then ofcourse straight to the rego office and get SA plates on it,Stoked!
ID check cost $46.Worth the money for peace of mind