Replacing my front tires...going smaller

[Bikerndiver]

Well, I found that beer is a wonderful tool to help one think. I was sitting next to my buggy having an ice cold brewski when I looked at my front tires and decided to check the date code.
Lo and behold, they are 11 years old. Really no sign of dry rot, plenty of tread left and they hold air! But, 11 years is a really long time.....
In the past, several members here gave me advice about changing to a narrower tire up front to help the buggy handle/track better. But since the tires looked so good I couldn't see taking them off. But now that I know they are 11 years old....it's a buggy of a different color!
So I started looking to go down from a 205/60/15 to a 195/60/15. After reading and consulting with my local trusted tire shop, I also need to buy new wheels. My current wheels are 8 inches wide.
Those wheels are technically incorrect (too wide) for my current 205 tires and won't work with my intended 195 tires.
Now I have to buy new wheels.... In case you all haven't looked lately, no one is giving 15x7 5 lug chrome smoothie wheels away! Damn!
So, I couldn't find anyone local selling what I want, so on to the internet and hopefully by tomorrow I'll have new wheels ordered.... I'm currently looking at U.S. Wheel 457-5710400 on Summit Racing for $152.00 each. OUCH!!!
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1966 Manx clone (possibly a Joe Poty Enterprises) named SANDY. '70 to '73 1300 cc w/1600 DP heads, twin carbs and headers

[NJ John]

I would even drop down to 6” wide wheels with 195/60’s.
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1973 standard, yellow, lowered, 3” narrowed front, 1600 blo-thru turbo w/single dell 15.4@86, so far
11.41 et buggy. Long gone
Let’s go O’s! Let’s go O’s!
https://www.youtube.com/@AirSpooledGarage

[Bikerndiver]

[EVfun]

If you want to stick with BF Goodrich tires you could drop back to P155/80R15 tires on rims about 5 inches wide. That is the smallest 15 inch tire in that line and really don't need more on the front of a buggy.
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[Bikerndiver]

[EVfun]

[Bikerndiver]

[oprn]

I have 165 80 15s on the front of my Buggy. Very happy with the improvement in handling and directional stability at speed and the decreased steering effort in parking lots. I just wish my rims were a bit narrower, I worry about curb scuffing these ones.

I went front 215 50 14's to 165 80 15's so taller and narrow. The ride quality is much better too.
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Our cars get old, we get old but driving an old VW never gets old!

[Bikerndiver]

Well, I ordered my new wheels.... 7" wide chrome reverse from JEGS. They won't ship until 06/27, so I will be driving on my old tires for a bit more. Haven't decided which tires yet, but I have some time to dwell on that.
I'll post before and after pics later....
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1966 Manx clone (possibly a Joe Poty Enterprises) named SANDY. '70 to '73 1300 cc w/1600 DP heads, twin carbs and headers

[NJ John]

With 7’s you can probably run 195/50’s. Or maybe 205/50’s.
_________________
1973 standard, yellow, lowered, 3” narrowed front, 1600 blo-thru turbo w/single dell 15.4@86, so far
11.41 et buggy. Long gone
Let’s go O’s! Let’s go O’s!
https://www.youtube.com/@AirSpooledGarage

[slayer61]

[oprn]

My 165 80 15s are on 7" rims. I was told it could not be done but my tire guy said no problem and there they are... in full living color. I wish as I said before that the rims were 5.5 or 6" but they are not.
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Our cars get old, we get old but driving an old VW never gets old!

[Bikerndiver]

My new wheels shipped today....three days early. Now for the tires....
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1966 Manx clone (possibly a Joe Poty Enterprises) named SANDY. '70 to '73 1300 cc w/1600 DP heads, twin carbs and headers

[EVfun]

[EVfun]

[oprn]