i've driven healeys all over the usa with radial tires and never collapsed a
wheel, however, i will be the first to admit, all of my healey miles since 1992
have been with 5.5" mini-lites which are tubeless and very smooth.
i've had my drivers license since i was 15 ( 1950 ) and still have all of my
teeth. i'm sure i've driven my share of miles on bias-ply tires but i would
certainly never do it again. the roadspeed was considered a wonderful tire in
the 50's even though it was a nylon tire and until it got warm was pretty
bumpy. of course, there wasn't anything to really compare it to at the time.
i stand on my contention, bias-ply for show -- not for go!!
jerry wall
RAHosmer@aol.com wrote:
>
> WOW!! - HOW on earth did we EVER survive without radial tires - especially
> the Brits with their weather! For racing/track use, I certainly agree with
>you
> - radials grip better - so much better that they have collapsed wheels!
>
> I drove my BT7 (I bought it new in 1962) for 20 years on RS5s (including some
> competition) with NO problems. What do you mean by "today's highway speeds"?
> 70 then - 70 now - what's the big deal? I'm not going to flog my antique car
> down the road at some ridiculously excessive speed, OR corner hard in the wet
>-
> that is just plain stupid - even maintained in good shape, it's still not a
> good idea - some of the cars are 50 years old. We are talking about VINTAGE
> cars here, and the whole LBC "experience". They weren't designed for the added
> grip of radials. I'd sooner slide a bit, than explode a wheel.
>
> And, lest you think I am just some toothless old fart/geezer - I exceed the
> limit at least 90% of the time I'm on the freeway - My Honda Accord is so
> smooth, it easily gets up to 90 before I realize it, and have to pull it back
>to
> a
> "reasonable" 75-80. But that is a modern car, and I am NOT exceeding it's
> capabilities. The Healey is for FUN, and I have a ball, just cruising at
> reasonable speeds!
>
> Dick Hosmer
> BT718556
>
> Your messages not reaching the list?
> C
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