Tires?

What tires should I run on my 1915cc 90hp Beck? Currently has 165 r15's Kumho.
My 53 coupe 70hp, used to run 165 r15 Michelin X , and had great road feel.

A speedster that I vintage race (real 1956) runs Hoosier treaded tires... Awesome tire, not sure if it's DOT. It's the same price as the Michelins iirc

I think the Kumhos would be a stickier tire than a Michelin X.

Every Michilen I've had wass a hard compound long wearing tire that had a way of letting the car slide in corners or wet. I used to get frustrated waiting for them to wear and changed them out still looking near new.

There just aren't many 165/80x15 tires made any longer. In '60s everything from MGs, Triumphs, Porsche, VW and Volvos used them. A 185/60x15 is a good replacement but is ~1" shorter so you just lowered your car 1/2". Lots of differnt tires in that size as they are used on Toyotas and Hondas.

I have 185 Goodyear Eagle RSAs on mine and they're decent tires. However, I will probably go to Vredestein Sprint Classics when I replace these as they are available in the correct size. The lower aspect ratio of the current tires screws up my speedo and I am not sure they handle that much better. The lower profile tires like I have now also do not fill the wheel arches like the taller originals.

We run this on the 356 I vintage race and it is just an amazing little tire...
http://www.archermotorsports.com/product.cfm?InvKey=1168

But are they DOT legal for street use?

Thanks for the input. I'm going to try the Vredestien Classics this time. I'll report back with findings.

This is right off of Hoosiers website...
"WARNING:

I've used Vredesteins since my first collector car in 1965. 185-15 on larger cars such as my Jaguar, a Rover and on the Alvis cars I've owned.

The 165-15 looks great and original on a speedster. They are inexpensive compared to Michelin. A very competent and reliable radial tire.

racing only--not DOT approved?

Hmm. So it's safe for me to strap these Hoosiers to my ride and spin her up to 120 mph on the track . . . but if I try to drive them out to Walmart at 45 mph they'll blow out and I'll flip over in a ball of flames.

yes, that makes sense.

i have Vredersteins on my Tiger, nice tire. i got them online from a wholesaler in MN i believe as no one in the west stocked my size.

Ed, the problem with track tires is they wear like crazy. I have Nitto NT 01s on my track Miata and even though they're DOT approved I don't drive on the street with them. With their super soft compound I bet they wouldn't last 1000 street miles.
They do have Unbelievable stick, though.

These Hoosiers aren't that soft... Not much softer than the Michelins.

Coker used to have Vreds, no more.

Enter 165 and 15 in the box leave the profile blank:

http://www.vulcantire.com/cgi-bin/tiresearch.cgi

Danny Piperato just threw me a set of Pirelli 195/60/15s that were surplus to him. They replaced the Kumhos on the front of my Speedster.

My Speedster weighs less, I'm sure, than anybody else's -- and I still noticed a tremendous difference in grip with the new tires. I drive my little beast every day, and I'm very familiar with all of the curves in my area; the Pirellis are where it's at for me. I'll be buying them from here on out.

Thanks, Danny!

You're welcome, Dude!

The Beck is now shod with 165R15 Vredestein Sport Classics!
28 psi Front and 32 psi rear, it handles great a sticks beautifully in the twisties. No more squeal in the turns or with hard braking. The steering has quickened up and they look great. Thumbs up!

28 and 32 seems a bit high, but you can't argue with the results. In the Beck owner's manual I suggested 22 front and 24-26 rear (word from Carey), although right now I am running 20 front and 28 rear.

Yes, by all means try 'em with less air. You can always put some back if you don't like it.

Correction - Sprint Classics... And pressures set at 26 front/30 rear. 74 deg. F

More better. Thx for the help!