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Joey Anchors
Samba Member
Joined: February 03, 2014
Posts: 30
Location: Austin, TX
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 Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2015 10:22 am Post subject: 500-15 (5.0x15) for fronts? |
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So I've been looking for bias ply for a future '59-'60 Bug I plan on buying in 6 months or so. I like the raked look (will be using drop spindles up front and the rear will be one notch lower) and found 500-15 and 640-15 sizes from BF Goodrich.
Will 500-15's fit on the stock wheels? I'm pretty sure that 640-15's will fit on the rear with out much problem. |
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VOLKSWAGNUT
Fastest VW Belt Changer
Joined: October 14, 2007
Posts: 11055
Location: Flippin' a Belt........ .... Off-n-On ... NC USA
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| Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2015 10:27 am Post subject: |
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Um just askin'....
Why are you set on bias ply ???? 
Wide white wall???
Much better tires are available than those old dinosaurs.
..
_________________
aka Ken {o\!/o}
Its your vehicle- stop askin' for approval-do what YOU like for cryin' out loud
Better to roll em' how you want and wear em' out-than lettin' em' rot out
Its about the going not the showing
Rebuilt to drive not decorate
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Usually and often edited |
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Joey Anchors
Samba Member
Joined: February 03, 2014
Posts: 30
Location: Austin, TX
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| Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2015 10:36 am Post subject: |
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| Yes I'll be going with wide white walls. I like bias ply on slow back roads. This bug will be running a 36hp so I won't be exactly racing around at any great speeds. |
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Joey Anchors
Samba Member
Joined: February 03, 2014
Posts: 30
Location: Austin, TX
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| Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2015 10:40 am Post subject: |
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| So the overall diameter of the 500-15 is 24.38" and 26.88" for the 640-15 |
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glutamodo 
The Android
Joined: July 13, 2004
Posts: 26307
Location: Douglas, WY
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| Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2015 1:05 am Post subject: |
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They should fit, the smaller one better than the larger one.
Now, 26.9" diameter tires on the back won't do your 36HP engine any favors... it will make your effective final drive ratio "taller" and taller is not good for a small engine like that. |
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Joey Anchors
Samba Member
Joined: February 03, 2014
Posts: 30
Location: Austin, TX
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| Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2015 6:24 am Post subject: |
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| glutamodo wrote: |
They should fit, the smaller one better than the larger one.
Now, 26.9" diameter tires on the back won't do your 36HP engine any favors... it will make your effective final drive ratio "taller" and taller is not good for a small engine like that. |
I can go with a 600-15 for the rear which is closer to the OE size (600-15 = 26" diameter and 560-15 = 25.78")
If I got my sizing correct the 500-15 is close to a 145R15 and 640-15 close to 195/75R15. |
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rustINpeace
Samba Member
Joined: April 13, 2010
Posts: 10
Location: Long Beach, CA
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| Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2015 8:42 pm Post subject: Re: 500-15 (5.0x15) for fronts? |
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| Joey Anchors wrote: |
So I've been looking for bias ply for a future '59-'60 Bug I plan on buying in 6 months or so. I like the raked look (will be using drop spindles up front and the rear will be one notch lower) and found 500-15 and 640-15 sizes from BF Goodrich.
Will 500-15's fit on the stock wheels? I'm pretty sure that 640-15's will fit on the rear with out much problem. |
I have that exact tire combo on my 66. The fronts are 500-15 BFG Silvertowns and the rears are the 640-15 version. The front wheels are 4.5 inches wide and the rears are 5.5 inches wide, both are aftermarket stock chrome. I have a 4 inch narrowed beam and dropped spindles. Out back I have it just a little lower than stock.
They are fine for around town, but it can be a wild ride on the freeway. The bias plys seem to track in the grooved concrete. Two hands on the wheel are required.
Also,
I installed the narrowed beam last. I just had dropped spindles and adjusters at first and the tires rubbed. |
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vaughn bros.
Samba Member
Joined: October 13, 2003
Posts: 2395
Location: Hickory, NC
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| Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2015 9:08 pm Post subject: |
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500-15 are the only front tires we use (on VW's) , and anywhere from 560-15's to 670-15's for most rear requirements. Like Volkswagnut says, they are not a performance tire at all. They slide in the rain on smooth asphalt. They develop flat spots overnight parked in the driveway making early morning rides pretty bumpy. They cost out the ass. Hard to get truly balanced. Tubes may be required on some wheels. But they look great on stock steel wheels.
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rustINpeace
Samba Member
Joined: April 13, 2010
Posts: 10
Location: Long Beach, CA
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| Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2015 1:08 pm Post subject: |
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500-15 fronts, 640-15 rear |
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