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Tyre sizing on 1967 Beetle
benny_acko - April 8th, 2013 at 04:37 PM

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


hrastovica - April 8th, 2013 at 04:59 PM

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 - April 8th, 2013 at 05:55 PM

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 - April 8th, 2013 at 07:43 PM

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


4"

Quote:
What is the standard tyre size?


5.60 x 15


benny_acko - April 11th, 2013 at 12:49 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by hrastovica
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...


hrastovica - April 12th, 2013 at 03:28 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by benny_acko
Quote:
Originally posted by hrastovica
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 - April 12th, 2013 at 09:07 AM

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 :)


Allbones - April 12th, 2013 at 12:57 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by h
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.