Tyre sizing on 1967 Beetle

benny_acko Officially Full-On Dubber

253 posts · joined Aug 2011 · 8 Apr 2013, 4:37 pm

#950601

Hey guys,

Just wondering if anyone can recommend some tyre sizes for me on 2 options:
- Keeping the stock wheels that are on there at the moment. Are these 15" x 4"?Or 4.5"?What is the standard tyre size?
- Buying a set of 15"x5(or 5.5?)" BRMs or chrome mangels. As these are both obviously replicas any idea which is lighter?

Car currently has a 2" narrowed beam.

I would like to keep the stock speedo calibration so what profile is required F/R..

Ultimately I would love to get the new wheels and tyres as they would allow a bit more rubber, Would a 185 or 195 fit on the rear? What would you recommend on the front that is skinny enough to fit without lots of scrubbing but not so skinny as to lose controlability.155s?165s?185s?

If i were to go 15x5 (or 5.5) and wanted the same size all 4 what is recommended for best handling?

Any help would be appreciated.

Sorry for being so ignorant.Trying to find some other opinions.

Thanks,

Ben

1967 VW Beetle Deluxe

hrastovica Officially Full-On Dubber

361 posts · joined Apr 2009 · 8 Apr 2013, 4:59 pm

#950610

Welcome to my world, i just spent 4 days trying to work out what tyres to put on my car. VERY tricky as there are so many options. I just got empi 5spokes allround (15" x 5.5") and opted for 145/65 on the front w/ 4.5" narrowed beam and 205/65 on the back. To be honest though i'm not sure about speedo callibration on this set up, i was more interested in the look moreso than the practicality. By the sounds of it you are going for a completely different set up. Anyway... good luck!!

vwo60 Veteran Volks Folk

2,036 posts · joined Feb 2007 · 8 Apr 2013, 5:55 pm

#950625

You can use this tyre calculator to determine the different diameters of the potential tyres, that way you can keep it around the standard size so your speedo is close.
http://www.1010tires.com/Tools/Tire-Size-Calculator
If you run the 5.5" wheels, possible size on the front could be a 185 and on the rear a 205, just put the sizes and profile in the calculator to work out the diameters and try to keep them as close to standard.

AA003 Custom Title Time!

1,189 posts · joined Oct 2011 · 8 Apr 2013, 7:43 pm

#950662

benny_acko wrote:- Keeping the stock wheels that are on there at the moment. Are these 15" x 4"?Or 4.5"?

4"

What is the standard tyre size?

5.60 x 15

I read it on samba, so it must be correct.

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benny_acko Officially Full-On Dubber

253 posts · joined Aug 2011 · 11 Apr 2013, 12:49 pm

#950932

hrastovica wrote:I just got empi 5spokes allround (15" x 5.5") and opted for 145/65 on the front w/ 4.5" narrowed beam and 205/65 on the back.

Is it rubbing at all? I think I only have a 2" or 2.5" narrowed beam. I just dont want to go too skinny on the front - I like the look but those rubber bands can't be too good handling wise...

My main issue is that I need new tyres on all 4 corners - thought it might be a good excuse to upgrade the wheels too...

1967 VW Beetle Deluxe

hrastovica Officially Full-On Dubber

361 posts · joined Apr 2009 · 12 Apr 2013, 3:28 am

#951020

benny_acko wrote:
hrastovica wrote:I just got empi 5spokes allround (15" x 5.5") and opted for 145/65 on the front w/ 4.5" narrowed beam and 205/65 on the back.
Is it rubbing at all? I think I only have a 2" or 2.5" narrowed beam. I just dont want to go too skinny on the front - I like the look but those rubber bands can't be too good handling wise...

My main issue is that I need new tyres on all 4 corners - thought it might be a good excuse to upgrade the wheels too...

Well to be honest i dont know, Ijust got the wheels and tyres back today, but as my car is sitting in a driveway beamless, i cant really tell you til i put it all together again.

I get the impression there are a few guys running that combo.

h fractals - an ever changing lifestyle

7,671 posts · joined Feb 2005 · 12 Apr 2013, 9:07 am

#951033

on one of my rides I have 5.5" rims all round
rubber 145/15 on front and 195/65/15 on rear
works a treat on my stock adjustable beam and should be sweet with a 2" narrowed beam as many here run that set up
also many dubbers run 135/15s up front without probs
I think u run into probs when the beam is narrower as tyres will hit the headlight buckets from memory
good luck and put up some pics when you are done 🙂

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Allbones Officially Full-On Dubber

395 posts · joined Jul 2012 · 12 Apr 2013, 12:57 pm

#951056

h wrote:on one of my rides I have 5.5" rims all round
rubber 145/15 on front and 195/65/15 on rear
works a treat on my stock adjustable beam and should be sweet with a 2" narrowed beam as many here run that set up
also many dubbers run 135/15s up front without probs
I think u run into probs when the beam is narrower as tyres will hit the headlight buckets from memory
good luck and put up some pics when you are done 🙂

I'm 4" narrow/adjustable (read as "I scrape the ashphalt off the road") with drop spindles & 135's and still clear the headlight buckets no problems.