Bias Plys vs. Radials... Chime in folks!

[Action Girl]

What are you driving on and why?

Stacey

[hotrodladycrusr]

Not Cokers http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Missing Link]

Oh, boy. This is gonna be good...

[Rix2Six]

Coker Classic Bias-Plys 'cuz they were on my car when I bought it... gonna be changing before too long to radials probably not Cokers after hearing th stories.

[Rainer]

lot of question ey?? - welcome on board
just take a look at them and you'll know - one of them looks in style the other don't
http://www.coker.com/images/big/2.gif
http://www.coker.com/images/big/31.gif

[Action Girl]

Are there horror stories?

We had some experience with really bad and super dangerous tires on our Vespas.

My chevy has Sears Allstate Bias plys on it that are in good shape (but OLD), but I'm getting radials from Diamondback classics this week.

Stacey

[Scott B]

Go back two or three days in the posts - you will find the longest thread of tire opinions in the world...

[badpat]

bias plys look way better- nobody can argue that, but i like drivin @ 100+ mph and fer that you can't beat radials- i just got a set of portawalls on my rod, and they look great, and my pontiac is gettin skinned with www radials i got off of tuck

[Action Girl]

You'd think someone would be able to get the look part sorted out (if it's purely an aesthetic difference). Would any venture to say that the bias-plys handle or perform better?

Am I opening a flat black primer vs. shiny paint can of worms kinda thing here.. hee hee

Stacey

[Action Girl]

Thanks, I will...!

Stacey

[MIKE-3137]

If anybodys runnin em, Could someone post a pic of the 16" "skinny"(6.00 or 6.50 equiv) radials, Id like to see how they look on a car, or how bad the "bulge" is

[DrJ]

1940 GMC flatbed truck, 60's style "custom rod" with skinny white walls.

front - P185/70R14 Futura 2000 Radial LTE
Rear - P235/75R15 Futura 2000 Radial ATD

On (rusting from cat piss) chrome smoothies with baby moons.

I bought the tires in April of '98 and they still have about 70% of the tread left.
The tires cost, for all four, mounted, balanced, tax and license, total out the door, $235.01

Store, THE PEP BOYS, Manny, Moe, and Jack!

[hotrodladycrusr]

Stacey, go here and you be the judge

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB1&Number=181642&page=&v iew=&sb=5&o=&fpart=1&vc=1

[THOM]

[ QUOTE ]

My chevy has Sears Allstate Bias plys on it that are in good shape (but OLD), but I'm getting radials from Diamondback classics this week.

Stacey

[/ QUOTE ]
can i have your bias plys?????

[Action Girl]

Just to clarify,

I finished reading the Coker thread. My question is more a type of tire question than a brand of tire question...

Advantages and disadvantages of each type with respect to wear, handling, etc.

Stacey

[Action Girl]

I think they've been promised to someone already...

I'll let you know if not.

Stacey

[continentaljohn]

Love my firestone Bias ply tires, just stay out of the groove http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[THOM]

[ QUOTE ]


I'll let you know if not.

Stacey

[/ QUOTE ]
thanks!!

[hotrodladycrusr]

Stacey, alot will depend on the distances and speed you plan on traveling on a regular basis.

[Action Girl]

How about driving like an asshole? Is that an important factor?

hahaha

I'm probably going to drive some distances but with no disk brakes, I think I'll be keeping my speed down till I get a handle on driving the massive beast.


Stacey

[John Copeland]

If bias ply tires were worth a shit, the major manufacturers would still be making them. As tire technology advanced, along came radials to support the performance industry. I grew up with bias ply tires and porta walls, and my preference is still, and will always be, my Halibrands and huge big and little radials! I like solids and I'll always like the ageless American Torque Thrust wheel, but bias ply tires don't belong on a high performance "anything"! They belong in a museum!

Shoe

[DrJ]

If bias ply tires were superior or even equal to the quality and road handling qualities of a radial, don't you think the major brands would still be making and selling them?

They are made by a precious few companies to put on "restorations" of cars that had them on their wheels when the cars were built, (or rebuilt, or modified, or hotrodded, take your pick of term there.)

(edit)
Guess John posted the same idea while I was typing!

[Petejoe]

Amen to that John, This is the same reason I put safety belts and turn signals on my vehicles.. certainly not for looks that's for sure. Now if I was only driving my rod downtown and not cross state. I might consider the better looking Bias plys.

[Action Girl]

Yes I do. I was just curious about why people still drive on bias plys if there's a better alternative. I didn't know if it was a looks, authenticity, or "experience" deal so i thought I'd ask...

Stacey

[Fat Hack]

I've had the...uhhh...EXPERIENCE of driving on both over the years, and I can honestly say that my last set of bias tires was my LAST set of bias tires!

On the plus side, bias tires look more period-correct on nostalgic rods and kustoms, and they slide a little easier...not to mention being supremely "smokeable" when the urge strikes! But...it's not worth the trade-offs!

After swearing up and down that the front end was FUCKED on my old 69 Mustang, I was getting ready to replace it all...from wheel to wheel. My Dad suggested new tires, and gave me the used radials off of his Maverick when he bought new ones. Just bolting them on cured ALL of the Mustang's handling ills! It stopped wandering all over the road and trying to follow every crack...and saved me lots of time and money on front end parts I didn't really need!

I suspect that many here who complain of ill handling and steering issues may be able to solve alot of their problems with even a cheap set of radials! For the record, those cheap $25 apiece Pep Boys radials are actually rated very good (Traction, Treadwear and Temperature ratings on the sidewall) and they drive beautifully! Thin white striped radials for $100 a set (plus mounting and balancing, of course!).

And FIRESTONES....they can't even make a good RADIAL...avoid them like the plauge! You will no doubt hear someone say how wonderfull they are...the ONE guy who hasn't had one disintegrate on him or blow apart on the highway...but having spent many years in the retail tire business...I learned long ago to avoid Firestone tires!

Bottom line...unless I find myself owning another Swamp Romper with 44" mudders...I'm THROUGH with bias tires! The only possible exception might be to run 'em on the BACK only...but for the added traction, control, safety and tire life, I'll stick to radials at all four corners from now on in most cases!

(Just to offer a quick note, though...radial tires have a softer sidewall that is not nearly as forgiving as a bias tire...for those of you who "park by braile" or bounce off curbs too often! Also, tire inflation is slightly more critical with radials than with bias....but those characteristics do not outweigh the advantages of radials in my book!)

[Gr8ballsofir]

By your arguments, John and DrJ, we should all be driving new Toyotas!! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif They stopped making all steel cars too.

I run the bias plys on the roadster because it has no fenders and it needs the look.
My 48 has www radials bcuase I drive the piss out of it and the tread of the tire is not seen as much on a full fendered car.
The bias plys on the roadster are a pain in the ass. Getting them balanced is hard and keeping them balanced is impossible. Plus the thing get squirrely in the rain above 55.
Clark

[Paul]

[ QUOTE ]
I was just curious about why people still drive on bias plys if there's a better alternative.

[/ QUOTE ]

Could be the same reason someone would choose to drive a car practically made in the Stone Age when there are far superior alternatives available.

You really gunna keep that babit pounding stove bolt in there and expect it to perform as well as a modern motor?

Paul

[DrJ]

[ QUOTE ]
By your arguments, John and DrJ, we should all be driving new Toyotas!! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif They stopped making all steel cars too.

[/ QUOTE ]

HONDAS they should all be driving Hondas...(Wife works for Honda, Toyota is "the enemy next door") http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Driving these old cars is a HOBBY!
When these cars were being customized in the 40's and 50s they were NEW CARS!
A parallel in the 40's would have been driving a horse and stylish buggy and discussing hard rubber of wrought iron tires!

[=mike=]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I was just curious about why people still drive on bias plys if there's a better alternative.

[/ QUOTE ]

Could be the same reason someone would choose to drive a car practically made in the Stone Age when there are far superior alternatives available.

You really gunna keep that babit pounding stove bolt in there and expect it to perform as well as a modern motor?

Paul


[/ QUOTE ]


pretty good points . I have Bias ply tires on all of my old cars and wouldnt use radial tires on them for any reason . In my oppinion radials handle like crap on an old car . they washout , feel mushy , and also in my oppinion look like crap . I have had them on cars that I have driven all up & down the coast , as daily drivers and never had any problems or complaints with looks or how they handle . of course I might be an exception to the rule . . . . but I also know ALOT of others who have simmilar stories .

I would say dont put radial tires on your car because they are ugly and handle poorly in comparison to biasply tires . I have also had a few old cars that had radials and they felt like i was driving on a bar of soap . if you have a modern front suspension , then modern tires will work better . if you have an old suspesnsion then you would want tires that were state of the art for the suspension on your auto .

I get my tires from Coker and have always had good dealings with them . the tires have stayed white , stayed on the car , and stayed together for the life of the tires . I will keep buying from them in the future . hope that helps somehow . . . welcome to the mess we call the H.A.M.B.

[DrJ]

[ QUOTE ]
I run the bias plys on the roadster because it has no fenders and it needs the look......
Clark

[/ QUOTE ]

Probably the ONLY good reason to run bias ply, The look!

[Action Girl]

I love my 51, but I aint selling my 2002 New Beetle and relying on her to get me from point a to b in the same way that I reply on my beetle.

If the 51 was going to be a daily driver I'd be doing a ton of things to get it ready for that. Things like a mustang front end, newer technology engine, etc.

It's the same with my scoots. I've got a new state of the art but looks old scoot and an actual old scoot that will be suited for parades, rallies, non city driving, etc.

So..

I guess it all depends on what you are asking your car to do for you.

Stacey

[Fat Hack]

Oh yeah...forgot to add...Michigan roads are dangerous enough in a newer car with radials...those 6" ruts, curb-height pavement shifts and piss-poor seams would have you working overtime to keep a car with bias tires in one lane!

(This is something I KNOW!! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif)

I used to get out of my bias-equipped rides feeling whipped....after see-sawing the wheel back and forth across town fighting the car every inch of the way...part of the "experience" of driving an older car that I can live without these days!

In other states, I'm sure that bias tires wouldn't suck quite as bad...but here they're best left to the masochist!!!

[hudson_hawk]

bias are cool and look great but i fought my car for 6 months before i switched and have only thought about going back for cost reasons. stick w/ radials, especially on BIG cars with lots of wieght, its so much easier to control w/ radials

[=mike=]

[ QUOTE ]
bias are cool and look great but i fought my car for 6 months before i switched and have only thought about going back for cost reasons. stick w/ radials, especially on BIG cars with lots of wieght, its so much easier to control w/ radials

[/ QUOTE ]

I disagree . Unless you have power steering , radials suck on a heavy car . In a biasply , with the smaller footprint of my firestone biasply tires the car turns like it has power steering . I had a shoebox along time ago and it had radials , it turned like a dumptruck . the radials had a huge footprint and it felt like it was turning in a puddle of mud . of course with a smaller footprint you lose a little traction which could be a bummer if you like to corner in excess of 100 mph ( which I dont ) , but otherwise I would take B/P handling characteristics over radials , any day .

[Kevin Lee]

Does anyone remember what message board this is? Hahahaha. With the excepiton of the odd fastener and a few patch panels here or there I can't readily think of a single piece on my entire car that is less than fifty years old. Radials? C'mon. Not on my car ever.

But by all means knock yourself out if you think you need them - I'll never berate you for it.

[Gr8ballsofir]

That's what I said, Grimlok. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Elrod]

I will try to describe the difference with bias ply tires vs radial tires on your old car in a checklist type of fashion.

Radials will be harder to turn the front wheell when standing still. Radials will drive straighter on roads that have groves, ruts and will not try to grab every line in the road. Radials will last longer. 30K - 50K miles on a set.

Bias Ply tires are narrower and will turn easier at slow speeds than radials. Bias ply tires will squeal when you turn corners at 15-20 miles per hour. Sounds like a soft burn-out. Bias ply tires will try to grab grooves in the road and follow them, so you have to really drive with both hands on the wheel. Bias Plys will wear out faster. 15K - 25K miles on a set


Now for the opinion part of my post. I think radials look wrong on an old car. They are too fat and the tread pattern is not right. I run bias ply tires on all my old cars, because a bias ply white wall looks WAY better than a Radial White wall. Also, those radial white wall tires they make now turn yellow for some reason. EVERYONE will tell you not to buy the Coker Radial White walls, and they are pretty much your only option in white walls when it comes to radials.

Now, you decide.

[DrJ]

Just for the record, I agree, WWWs don't look right on a radial unless it's an old Continental radial WWW on an old VW.
IF I ran WWWs on a car they would be bias ply, but I'd have to have a big trunk o store the alternate four "real" highway tires in!

[Mel]

Right now I'm running the Walmart special... uniroyals at $25 a tire because I'm broke. Althought bias plys don't handle as nice as radials, some wide white bias plys would be nice someday since my rims don't take kindly to the tubeless radials (always leaking http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif ) and IMO bias ply's look better.

~Melissa

[Kojack]

I... really couldn't tell too much of a difference between the radials on my '64 Galaxie and bias-plys. I think some one said something about the biasplys handle better with heavier cars... I'd have to agree with that then, as the radial's seemed the same or even more squirrelly when I hit bumps with my wal-mart radials then when it did with the old bias.

[young buck]

dr j have you ever checked out diamondback tires...they made my friend a pair of radial www and look sweet...we drove the car 8000 miles this summer with no problem
diamondback sent the tires from england (16 inch) and then valcanize their white wall on that tire...at the end there is no lettering on the outside of the tire for a real clean look

young buck

[crclebrner]

Ok, I'm chiming in as someone old enough to have driven daily and competed on both radials and bias ply tires. As a matter of fact, we are still competing on bias ply tires. the IMCA spec tire is bias ply and you have to completely adjust your driving style on them compared to running radials but, we are talking traditional rods and customs here. I have to agree with the old school thinking that modern radial tires look out of place on a rod and there are some advantages to the bias ply tires. For one, bias ply tires don't seem to come apart as destructively as radials do. Radials will definetley hairlip the corners of your fender wells when the steel belts separate. 2: You can run the bias ply tires until they have almost no tread left where as it is little known that radial tires are effectivly worn out when 50% of the tread is gone and are subject to separation and just don't perform as well after that. With some cheaper radials, it is even sooner. 3: Although radials are vastly superior in almost every respect when it comes to handling, the do have a much more sudden breakaway factor than bias ply which could get a novice driver attempting to drive to the limits of the tires adhesion into some ugly trouble. For me, I will stay with radials on my 57 Ford because they don't look that bad and the car drives great with them but, if I actually get around to building my 46 Merc, I will probably try to get period correct tires.

[krupanut]

I run bias plies on both the roadster and my 51 Chevy.
I have no complaints about them on either car.
The roadster is light and no problem to maneuver on rutted high ways.
The Chevy had radials on it when I bought it. The front end was really squirrelly with them. I found some nos cushion air bias plies, $50 for the four of them. The car rides great with them. I agree with what Mike said, the suspension is set up for the old technology so it works well.

Plus I’m a total cheap skate and bias tires are cheaper.
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[rickyracer1962]

do you want your car to look like its from california, or florida. thats what it all boils down to.

[Fat Hack]

Ha Ha!!! Way to go Ricky! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

California = Bias
Florida = Radials
Michigan = Swampers

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[nummnut]

i love my b-p's and i drive the shit out of the hi-1

[continentaljohn]

Ok Fat hack, so are your swampers are Bias ? If she big and a old set it is http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[MercMan1951]

I really didn't want to get in the middle of all this, but all I want to say is that I have fond story that goes along with bias plys..

It's 1985. I'm 10 (DON'T BOTHER ON RIPPING ON ME YOU OLD GUYS...)

This guy around the block from me had a cherry 1969 Caddy Coupe Deville (the 2 door).

One day I ride over there on my dirt bike to see what's up (I did this alot, and credit him for getting me into old cars, paint and body work.)

He's taking his radials off the rear, and bolting on some Sears bias plys that were older than me. Blackwalls, no hubcaps...he just smirks and says he's trying out some old tires.

That night, about 11 PM, I'm in my room (sing: "In my room....in my room...") with the lights out & in bed. I hear his car (I knew it's sound) drive by. i got up to see those tall thin Caddy taillights come to rest at the end of my street, a corner. All of a sudden he tears around the corner leaving the longest, loudest, squealing, smoky burnout I'd ever heard to that point. I could smell the rubber for 10 minutes in my bedroom. I heard a few more over the couse of the next few minutes. I got excited.

Next morning, I rushed thru breakfast to grab my bike and inspect the pavement. Standing start, one wheel peel, around the corner and down the side street for at least 200 feet! Whoa.

I peddal over to his place, and he's in his driveway changing out the back tires and putting on the "stock" radials and hubcaps. I didn't need to ask him what he had been up to the night before, and he knew I knew. When you're 10, things like that are pretty cool.

That, and having a guy who's 20 let you hang out while he works on cars. Not minding you're pestering him with questions. This one's for you, Rob...


Bias plys do killer burnouts, and as far as I'm concerned, that's about it. They look great on "museum cars"... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[hillbillyhellcat]

Avoid putting them on a newer car at all costs.... Got a set of brand new bias snows dirt cheap and put them on my winter ride. They were 6.00X12 Good Year Silvertown Trail Makers, what they were originally intended for I don't know. The next day I took it on a 2 hour trip at speeds of 70 MPH. All I can say was that it was some serious white knuckle driving for a 20 year old kid. They hummed like Thornbird TSL Super Swampers and pulled at every single little crack in the road. They had a ton of rolling resistance so they got literally hot on the pavement. They sucked in the snow. And they were bald in 4000 miles.

I will have to admit, however - the car really did steer easy with em and they were bitchin looking. This time I spent $20 extra and got radials. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[DeS]

Bias Plys of course, those have more rock'n'roll than all records of Gene Vincent and GV is the KING

[zonkola]

Bias plys have 'the look' for sure, but you can get in the general, fuzzy, looks-OK-at-60-mph-if-you-blur-your-eyes ballpark with a set of radials if you get the right sizes. C9's '31 roadster is a good example of this.

Someone asked for a photo--my '32 RPU chassis is set up with 215/85R16's in the rear and 165/R15's in the front, which I think is a reasonable setup if you're dead set on radials:

http://www.zonk.com/images/roadster_chassis.jpg

Of course, I'm also putting flat black front disc brakes on a highboy, so I'm clearly out of my friggin' mind!

[rat bastad]

Hey Zonk....where'd u score those rear radials in CA?

Id love to get my hands on a set for my ride. Whats other sizes do they come in?

Rat

[SKR8PN]

Bias ply's SUCK....

When I FIRST joined this board,I made mention of this fact.....
Ryan thought I was in the wrong place......
I stand by that statement.
They SUCK, if you want to DRIVE your car..........
If you want it to LOOK pretty,then by all means,put a set of 'ply's on it............

Ya ever lose a tread at high speed with a 'ply?

OR....try to hold it in the 'groove' at speed with a set of 'ply's ????

From a guy who has "been there,done that".......

Bias ply's SUCK.

And.......I will PROLLY put a set on my next rodney.....

Go figure..........

[zonkola]

[ QUOTE ]
Hey Zonk....where'd u score those rear radials in CA?

Id love to get my hands on a set for my ride. Whats other sizes do they come in?

Rat

[/ QUOTE ]

The 215/85R16's are Dunlop Radial Rover AT light truck tires. That size is a bit hard to find stateside, but I found quite a few Japanese manufacturers that sell that size in Asia & Europe, but do not import it to the U.S. Not enough demand for them, I guess. Do a Google search on the tire size and you'll likely find them.

The Dunlop tread is closer in vibe to old dirt track tires than old bias ply Firestones, but there you go. Some of the Japanese 215's I found had light truck 'highway tread' designs, which are the closest aesthetic match to a bias-ply tire I've seen in a radial. They don't import those here, but you might be able to get 'em...

[RawDeal]

Why I have bias plys?

...because in Austria I pay $740,- for a set one bias plys and about $1200,- for a set of radials by coker...

[Revhead]

[ QUOTE ]
I'm probably going to drive some distances but with no disk brakes, I think I'll be keeping my speed down till I get a handle on driving the massive beast.

[/ QUOTE ]

'51 chevy ... massive beast?? damn and I thought they were on the smaller end of the spectrum. I guess driving a '56 caddy for a while will do that to ya.

For what it is worth my brother drove his ride around for like 2 years on bias-ply. Only in town though and not over 55. I never heard him complain about them.

[rat bastad]

Thanx for the info Zonk....i'll scope it out here in Oz.

Rat http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[hotrodladycrusr]

So Stacey.... did you order your "upgraded" radials yet??? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Action Girl]

The biggest car I've ever owned was Honda Civic. My current car is a new bettle. So, when you put them side by side, it feels like a beast to me http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif (though I love her just the same!)

Stacey

[Action Girl]

Yes I did!

I got them from Diamondback classics. My dad's in Charlotte at the Goodguys show and he's bringing them back for me on Sunday so I can save the shipping fees...

We're mounting them Monday night. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Stacey

[hotrodladycrusr]

Too bad we didn't "know" each other last week. My parents are in Charlotte right now too, and my Dad is bringing me back a posi unit from a HAMB buddy, FatAssBuick. Aren't Dads great! We could have gotten the "old" folks together down there. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Action Girl]

Small world, eh?

I've already had another guy on the HAMB tell me he actually camped across from my Dad at York...

Dad's are awesome.

Stacey

[hotrodladycrusr]

Yep, that was Clark, he knows everyone http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Hot Rod To Hell]

Not that it really helps a lot in this particular situation, but I'll give my findings anyway. I have a 62 ChevyII that runs hi 10's. It has cooper metric radials up front (165r15 on a 15x4.5), and I originally built the car with BF Goodrich Drag Radials out back (315/60 on 15x10). It handled GREAT for a fast car, probably better that my daily driver 92 s10 blazer, but it didn't really hook up too well. Everyone told me to run the Mickey Thompson ET Streets, so I got a set (30x13.5 [actual size specs are the same as the drag radials]on the same 15x10). They hook up a whole lot better, but holy crap! It handles like dog shit now! I can barely pass someone on a 2 lane road and keep it outta the ditch! It may be cuz they're wrinkle walls, but I keep about 18lbs in 'em (the radials ran 21), and it may be cuz I have radials up front and bias out back. But I definitely think when it's time for new tires I'll buy another set of rims and get radials for everyday driving, and full on slicks for going to "the cruise" or the track.

[Action Girl]

Yea the one thing that I've heard with respect to warnings is that the worst thing you can so is mix bias and radials.

That could be a big part of your problem, but I'm certainly not an expert by any stretch of the imagination.

I think I saw that warning on the Coker site, but it could have been someplace else...

Stacey

[saltflataddict]

[ QUOTE ]
I really didn't want to get in the middle of all this, but all I want to say is that I have fond story that goes along with bias plys..

It's 1985. I'm 10 (DON'T BOTHER ON RIPPING ON ME YOU OLD GUYS...)

This guy around the block from me had a cherry 1969 Caddy Coupe Deville (the 2 door).

One day I ride over there on my dirt bike to see what's up (I did this alot, and credit him for getting me into old cars, paint and body work.)

He's taking his radials off the rear, and bolting on some Sears bias plys that were older than me. Blackwalls, no hubcaps...he just smirks and says he's trying out some old tires.

That night, about 11 PM, I'm in my room (sing: "In my room....in my room...") with the lights out & in bed. I hear his car (I knew it's sound) drive by. i got up to see those tall thin Caddy taillights come to rest at the end of my street, a corner. All of a sudden he tears around the corner leaving the longest, loudest, squealing, smoky burnout I'd ever heard to that point. I could smell the rubber for 10 minutes in my bedroom. I heard a few more over the couse of the next few minutes. I got excited.

Next morning, I rushed thru breakfast to grab my bike and inspect the pavement. Standing start, one wheel peel, around the corner and down the side street for at least 200 feet! Whoa.

I peddal over to his place, and he's in his driveway changing out the back tires and putting on the "stock" radials and hubcaps. I didn't need to ask him what he had been up to the night before, and he knew I knew. When you're 10, things like that are pretty cool.

That, and having a guy who's 20 let you hang out while he works on cars. Not minding you're pestering him with questions. This one's for you, Rob...


Bias plys do killer burnouts, and as far as I'm concerned, that's about it. They look great on "museum cars"... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

Thats a cool story, I had the very same experience growing up in Glendale, only it was a 65 mustang. This friend was like a big brother to me, (I had no siblings) he taught me how to jump by BMX bike, and later when he was older he let me look over his shoulder while he wrenched on his car. He also took me to In-N-Out for the 1st time in his car.But the story brought back memories for me lying in bed hearing him rip around the culdesac on our street at night, then waking up in the morning hop on my bike and check out the long burn out marks.. good ol days..

[AssGasket]

hey action-chick, put your bias-plys on your beetle... then at least PART of it will be cool... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif hahaha...

but yeah, I've had Bias-plys on the back and Radials on the front for about a year now...

the bias tires were the ones that originally came with the Rambler in '66... The things looked pretty much NEW when i put 'em on... Yeah, i'm running tires on my car that are pushing 40...

I remember when my friend showed me the car, long before i bought it from him... He said "It's even got two original spares, but i sure as hell wouldn't put 'em on the car 'cause they'll probably blow up or something"... Proved him wrong so far...

I drove it to Terry's and Posies a while back with a few other HAMBer's... I was kinda worried about going over 60 MPH on the highway, but i think Clark was worried about his too, and he was leading in the RPU...

see, one should FEAR and RESPECT their tires...

the car kinda "walks" side-to-side a bit, but it's nothing too bad... I'd imagine that bias-plys on the FRONT might suck a bit more... I'd swap 'em just for kicks, but i like the ability to make a Rambler do a burn-out.... hahaha...

And they look fucking RAD on those steelies...

By the way, anyone ever heard of ATLAS brand tires...??? that's what i've got... Atlas black-walls... wonder when they went out of business...??? hahaha....

[MIKE-3137]

Zonk, thanks for the pic, btw Tirerack.com has those Dunlop Radial rover AT tires in stock in that 215/85R16 size, but the tread looks different, yours looks more like the RT ?. Post some more pics of that chassis too!

[laverda]

Has anybody used these guys?

Kelsey Tires (http://www.kelseytire.com/index.htm)

They claim 'old' GoodYear molds for their BP's.

Later,
papa al

[mytlo56]

Radial

Pros- Good handling and ride
Cons- Looks and if you buy them from Coker they'll fall apart

Bias

Pros- Classic, look cool
Cons- Ride isn't as good and are a f'in terror in the rain

I like bias because they smoke better http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[krupanut]

I think mixing bias and radial tires is not a real good idea but it depends alot on wheel base.

radial slicks on my roadster with bias fronts is no problem because the radials follow the bias quickly.

When I picked up my 51 Chevy it had old bias tires on the rear and new radials on front. It was a scarry ride, the fronts would track over groove and the bias would through the rear of the car into the grooves. The ass end felt like it was riding on ice. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

[why?]

Its a simple as math somtimes!
raidals =expensive
bias ply=cheap

Me=cheap

me =bias ply

[Hellfish]

well, since you had already ordered your tires when you started this post, it was kind of a moot question, wasn't it? Anyway, my 50 Chevy Fleetline has bias plys and it handles beautifully. I can steer with one finger and it has stock suspension... it was designed to run with Bias Plys. It follows the grooves a little, but not as bad as everyone seems to say it will. I have also driven a 52 Chevy Styleline with a stock suspension and radials. It was extremely hard to turn even at higher speeds and the car just didn't feel nimble. I wouldn't run radials on my 50. WWW BPs are cheaper than WWW radials ($90 vs. $150), but not nearly as cheap as $25 radials. On a year-round DAILY driver, I might reconsider.

[zonkola]

[ QUOTE ]
Zonk, thanks for the pic, btw Tirerack.com has those Dunlop Radial rover AT tires in stock in that 215/85R16 size, but the tread looks different, yours looks more like the RT ?. Post some more pics of that chassis too!

[/ QUOTE ]

The tread looks a little different in person, but they're definitely AT's. If I remember correctly, the RT's are like mud tires with a really aggressive tread...

[Action Girl]

My intention of posting the question had nothing to do with my personal decision either way. I was just curious about them and since I'm completely new to this and don't have any experience with bias-plys with the exception of test driving my car, I thought I'd ask.

I bought radials cause I've never driven on anything else. When I get them mounted on Monday, I'll be able to determine if I like them better or worse than the original tires.

I'm also a mom and my 6 year olf daughter will be in the car on occasion so really old tires that I can't feel completely comfortable with aren't an option. It's not a decision I can make on looks alone.

I appreciate that everyone took the time to share their perspective as this is how I like to learn about new things-by seeing all the angles.

Stacey

[Terry]

Ok maybe I missed it Zonk, what are the fronts? I see you told size.. but what brand? Type? I really like the look! Seems to be just what I'm looking for!

Thanks

[Roothawg]

Zonk, I think you are on to something......

[zonkola]

The front tires are Dayton 165R15 metric radials. They're a bit wider than I'd like them to be, but in the ballpark.

I've seen a fair number of hot rods run 165R15's on the front (usually the very pricey old-style Michelins that are a bit skinnier), but I don't recall seeing any with 215/85R16's on the back...I think they work pretty well.

[Fat Hack]

My Dad ran Michellins on his MGA. The 58 that he sold back in 1964.

Replaced it with a Triumph Spitfire on bias tires that he cussed for junk from day one!

(Even radials couldn't help that lemon! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif)

[roadstar]

[ QUOTE ]
I'm also a mom and my 6 year olf daughter will be in the car on occasion so really old tires that I can't feel completely comfortable with aren't an option. It's not a decision I can make on looks alone.



[/ QUOTE ]
That makes more sense that that most of what I have ever read here.

BTW Welcome to the HAMB.

[CrazyDaddy]

zonkola, Thanks for sharing your info. Your wheel/tire setup is exactly what I was looking for. Looks great !
What width are the rims ?

[DrJ]

[ QUOTE ]
My Dad ran Michelins on his MGA. The 58 that he sold back in 1964.
...


[/ QUOTE ]

I had Pirelli Cinturatos on my MGA.
Michelin has been making radial tires since the late 40s.
They're traditional if you want to accept them to be.
(Not all the current styles of course, but the radial tire has been around for going on 60 years. Old brands, Continental, Dunlop, Dunlap, Michelin, and Pirelli were used on more than a few cars, even "American" cars.)

[zonkola]

CrazyDaddy - The rear wheels are 16x6 and the front wheels are 15x5. Easy to remember the combo anyway...

Since I managed to scatter all the relevant info in various responses, here's the complete setup:

Rear
16x6 steel wheels
215/85R16 Dunlop Radial Rover AT tires
Approx. 30.4" diameter

Front
15x5 steel wheels
165R15 Dayton Metric Radial tires
Approx. 25.4" diameter (Dayton catalog states 24.5", but is incorrect)

As I mentioned before, I actually like the look of some of the older Michelin 165R15 tires better--they're a little skinner and some are also a bit taller--but they're much more expensive and supposedly don't handle as well.

[Hellbound_Hootch]

[ QUOTE ]

I'm also a mom and my 6 year olf daughter will be in the car on occasion so really old tires that I can't feel completely comfortable with aren't an option.

[/ QUOTE ]

i drove my posse of kids from Minneapolis to ALLOVER texas and back last year in my impala with its original bias plys,,,
i couldn't get new ones without ordering them,,, so when it was time to replace them (the morning of the CHEATER'S SHOW last year) i bought radials,,,and hate the way they handle,,,

ACTUALLY,,,i am by far less COMFORTABLE with my exhusband transporting my kids around in his late model minivan,,,then i EVER willbe with my driving them around in my car with no seatbelts and biasplys,,,

so as soon as i can afford new TIRES,,,i will be once again driving on what BELONGS on my car,,,

MISS hellbound hootch