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EverettB Administrator
Joined: April 11, 2000 Posts: 69802 Location: Phoenix Metro
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Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 5:06 pm Post subject: |
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Yes, later wheels incorporated a safety feature in the wheel design for radial usage.
I don't really think there is an issue though with today's tires. Or at least I never heard of anyone having problems. I used to corner HARD in my Notchback with radials on the original non-safety-bead wheels and they never came off.
If your wheels are slotted, they are probably Bus. If they are "smoothies" (no presence of Bus 4 slots) they are probably Beetle.
Wheel thread with photos
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=290000
165s are too small for a Bus, unless it's lowered.
If you want 7.00x14 tires, you need 14" wheels. Coker.com sells the tires if you want bias ply tires. Most people do not these days.
A '65 would original have had Bus-style 14" wheels. _________________ How to Post Photos
Everett Barnes - [email protected] | My wanted ads
"Water is the only drink for a wise man" | "Communication prevents complaints"
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jimbabwe Samba Member
Joined: August 14, 2006 Posts: 25 Location: Ione, CA, USA
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Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 5:30 pm Post subject: |
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Hi Everett,
Thanks for the info. Just went to read my wheels. They are slotted, crowsfoot, dated 12 over 56 (just a 12 printed above a 56, no circle around it nor lines between the two numbers), and have a VW logo stamped in them, a T with a circle around it and another number, 1581, stamped on the wheel. Oh, there is also a 41/2K15 stamp (no x in it).
What do you think? I've read the wheel thread with photos. Oh, and my Bus is not lowered.
Thanks,
Jim |
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EverettB Administrator
Joined: April 11, 2000 Posts: 69802 Location: Phoenix Metro
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jimbabwe Samba Member
Joined: August 14, 2006 Posts: 25 Location: Ione, CA, USA
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Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 5:43 pm Post subject: |
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Everett, you say that LATER wheels incorporated a safety feature in the wheel design for radial usage. Well, these wheels seem to be from 1956, so I wouldn't consider them LATER wheels, would you?
OEM would be 6.40x15. Funny enough, I just replaced the tires on my Subaru. They are 205-70R15, as you recommend for my Bus. However, it seems that they would be very much too wide for the 4-1/2K15 wheels.
My Workshop Manual says that from December, 1963, all Transporters are fitted with 7.00x14 tubeless tires. I wonder why my 1965 Bus has these 15" wheels. What do you think?
Jim |
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Snoop Bob Samba Member
Joined: May 06, 2003 Posts: 2687 Location: Florida
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Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 6:02 pm Post subject: |
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Because someone put them on your bus. Many parts have been added to buses over the past 50 years by previous owners. I have not heard of anyone having problems with new load rated tires blowing out. _________________
BarryL wrote: |
Put your lips onto the little tit with the hole in it inside and make a good seal. You can suck and blow but with a little resistance. It gets better after it's wet. |
EverettB wrote: |
I would be interested in knowing the sizes of the various shafts. |
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spectre6000 Samba Member
Joined: April 19, 2009 Posts: 2014 Location: Broomfield, CO
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Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 6:06 pm Post subject: |
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Bus Depot has a little writeup on tires about what tires need to be safe on a bus. They recommend Hankook RA08s. I searched around, and they also have a pretty good price. The shipping charge doesn't calculate right (add about $50), but that only puts it on par with Discount Tire (who were assholes anyway). Buying from Bus Depot also supports the industry. 2 cents. _________________ Jason Hopper
-'58 German Market Deluxe Beetle (in progress)
-'84 M1009 CUCV
-'81 K10
"Buy the best, cry once." -Gene Berg
"A cheap man will always buy the cheapest thing available, and then buys another one hoping for a better result, and then spends the rest of his life in misery complaining about it. A thrifty man will buy a good part once and never think about it again." -RockCrusher
"Don't feed the Shitty Parts Monster!" -Me |
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brettsvw Samba Member
Joined: November 22, 2007 Posts: 2145 Location: Florida
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spectre6000 Samba Member
Joined: April 19, 2009 Posts: 2014 Location: Broomfield, CO
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Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 6:16 pm Post subject: |
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Nope. 14s with 185 tires. Not even 1 cm wider (7.2mm) than the stock 7" tires.
http://www.busdepot.com/details.jsp?partnumber=RA08 _________________ Jason Hopper
-'58 German Market Deluxe Beetle (in progress)
-'84 M1009 CUCV
-'81 K10
"Buy the best, cry once." -Gene Berg
"A cheap man will always buy the cheapest thing available, and then buys another one hoping for a better result, and then spends the rest of his life in misery complaining about it. A thrifty man will buy a good part once and never think about it again." -RockCrusher
"Don't feed the Shitty Parts Monster!" -Me |
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jimbabwe Samba Member
Joined: August 14, 2006 Posts: 25 Location: Ione, CA, USA
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Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 6:28 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks, Spectre6000. Your post reinforces the FACT that passenger-car tires are UNSAFE on a Bus. My present 165R15 86S could kill me and others. |
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MrBusCo Samba Member
Joined: February 13, 2007 Posts: 1561 Location: stoughton, WI
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Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 8:10 pm Post subject: |
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so what is teh equivilent size Hankook in 15" rim? (or close to equal to stock)
It seems like for 14" these are the way to go. great. I will need some soon.
But 15"?? would like to keep the same tire across the fleet. _________________ Josh The Bus Guy formerly known as JOGR
BlazeCutUSA.com MrBusCo.com |
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Snoop Bob Samba Member
Joined: May 06, 2003 Posts: 2687 Location: Florida
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Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 8:46 pm Post subject: |
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jimbabwe wrote: |
Thanks, Spectre6000. Your post reinforces the FACT that passenger-car tires are UNSAFE on a Bus. My present 165R15 86S could kill me and others. |
No one is arguing with you. Use the proper load rated tire for high sidewall driving. Superply . _________________
BarryL wrote: |
Put your lips onto the little tit with the hole in it inside and make a good seal. You can suck and blow but with a little resistance. It gets better after it's wet. |
EverettB wrote: |
I would be interested in knowing the sizes of the various shafts. |
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Emeritusx Samba Member
Joined: June 20, 2008 Posts: 2775 Location: 12 inches behind the wheel
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Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 9:04 pm Post subject: |
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Might check out www.tires-easy.com... I got my westlake h160's there but it seems like they do not sell them anymore, but there are lots of good priced load c tires.. _________________ 82 Westy ☢, 66 Splitty ☮, 73 Type 181 ✠ |
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EverettB Administrator
Joined: April 11, 2000 Posts: 69802 Location: Phoenix Metro
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Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 11:43 pm Post subject: |
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jimbabwe wrote: |
Everett, you say that LATER wheels incorporated a safety feature in the wheel design for radial usage. Well, these wheels seem to be from 1956, so I wouldn't consider them LATER wheels, would you? |
Later meaning Bay Window-era and not 15". (15" Bus that is) _________________ How to Post Photos
Everett Barnes - [email protected] | My wanted ads
"Water is the only drink for a wise man" | "Communication prevents complaints"
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery! |
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Maxim Samba Member
Joined: June 19, 2011 Posts: 236 Location: Poland
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BarryL Samba Member
Joined: November 01, 2004 Posts: 14257 Location: Casa de Oro, California
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Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2012 7:10 pm Post subject: |
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Those Kormorans are neat tires. Go for it on the stock size Hankooks. I don't think they will look that teeny. |
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bustedtype2 Samba Member
Joined: May 07, 2005 Posts: 417 Location: The arm pit of california
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Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2014 4:58 pm Post subject: |
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Wow! I can totally see why picking the right tire is so important. It seems everyone has a different oppenion on tire size. I guess it just goes into what you like best. But in all the discussion I did not read any place about rubbing of a tire that was too big. I only ask because I am in the market for you guessed it TIRES! I have ran 185/75 14. For a long time and found my bus was winding out a bit on the freeway. 1600 top speed 60. And speedo was way off. I went to 195/75 14 and had my Trans changed to a 412 I belive. Now it runs good but speed is still off "but better". Top speed 70 on freeway. Not that I want to go faster but I was told the 205/75 14 is a good tire all the way around front and back. My only concern is will it rub in the front? My bus is stock hight and should this fix my speedo prob?
Thanks for the help! _________________ Gas, Grass or Ass ? No one rides to the show for free!! |
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MrPolak Samba Member
Joined: June 20, 2004 Posts: 1337 Location: AG ,atnaltA
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Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2014 5:31 pm Post subject: |
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I think 195R14 would fit the bill without going overboard, and is what I plan on to put on my '64 Deluxe. I had a set on my '84 Westy with very good results.
http://www.busdepot.com/RA08195
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GTV Samba Member
Joined: March 27, 2004 Posts: 2084 Location: Si'ahl
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Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2014 5:36 pm Post subject: |
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I recently put 205/75's on the stock 14's of our 13 window. It has a great look, good height to fill up the fender and not too wide or bulge-y from the sidewalls. No clearance issues at all. _________________ EMPI Power Rules! |
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bustedtype2 Samba Member
Joined: May 07, 2005 Posts: 417 Location: The arm pit of california
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Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2014 6:06 pm Post subject: |
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What size tire did you have before you went to the 205? Could you tell the differance in the ride at all? Also how off was your speedo? Thanks for the help! I am about to spend over a G in tires and don't want to mess it up. Don't mean to be pushy. _________________ Gas, Grass or Ass ? No one rides to the show for free!! |
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zozo Samba Member
Joined: October 15, 2005 Posts: 5217 Location: South of Ol' San Antonio
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Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2014 7:42 pm Post subject: |
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I put these on mine and like them a lot. My speedo is spot on with my GPS as well. No complaints at all. (I've since gone to white rims)
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