Hi Steve,
I pretty much listen to as many opnions as I can get,
then just do my own thing knowing that I've made an
educated decision!
As I understand it, the Seven was designed to run on
3.5 inchers -- particularly the S2 which has the
lightest (read most delicate) frame. I cringe every
time I corner it hard, waiting for a tube to snap
because of the extra load the 6.5's are placing on
frame and axle too (which has already been cracked,
repaired, and reinforced.)
The promo materials on John Watson's web site show
photos of the Seven S2 wearing the wide slot Triumph
Herald wheels. My Triumph GT6+ has 4.5's which fit,
but I still think I'd like the narrower Herald ones!
Thanks for the tip on the tire spec... I'll watch for
round shoulders. Can I find those Avon tires in the
US?
Thanks,
John D
--- Steven Shipley <shiples@home.com> wrote:
> john donohoe wrote:
> >
> > In an effort to recapture the "original look" of
> my
> > '62 Seven, I'm planning on obtaining a set of 3.5"
> > Triumph Herald steel wheels. I've been told by
> many
> > that I'm crazy for wanting "skinny" wheels & tires
> on
> > it.
> Be careful who you listen to. It's pretty obvious
> when they tell you to dump the 4-banger for a small
> block Chevy. But there are a lot of people who
> don't
> own a Lotus who think they know to "improve" it. I
> have had salesmen recommend a 13x8 wheel!
>
> I'm using Avon TurboSpeed 155x13 on the Elan/Europa
> wheels. I kept the skinny tires on the advice of
> others that claim that wider tires are not as
> "tossable".
> Whatever that means.
>
> I was told to look for a tire that had a rounded
> shoulder.
> Supposedly the handling is better with a tread that
> can roll rather than laying flat like a more modern
> design tire.
>
> I seems that the narrower tires are a bit easier to
> break loose a little bit without a quick transition
> from sticking to sliding. And the narrower tire
> makes it easier to steer with throttle. Yeah baby,
> I like that part!
>
> The Elan/Europa steel wheels are 5.5 inches wide.
> The
> Triumph wheels are 4.5 inches wide. I don't think
> the
> original wheels on my Seven were from a Herald.
> When I was searching for Triumph wheels the 4.5 were
> the slimest I could find.
>
> There are subtle differences between Triumph wheels.
> I found two variations of a plain steel wheel 4.5 x
> 13.
> The difference was in the size of the vent between
> the
> rim and the hub. The Herald wheel according the the
> guy who was restoring one has a larger vent than the
> plain steel wheel that came on my 65 Super7.
>
> Steve Shipley
> 65 Super 7
> 68 Europa S1A
>
>
>
> Does anyone have any experience with running the
> > original spec wheels? Any suggestions for a
> "proper"
> > skinny tire to go on them?
>
> I'm using Avon TurboSpeed 155x13 on the Elan/Europa
> wheels. I kept the skinny tires on the advice of
> others that claim that wider tires are not as
> "tossable".
> Whatever that means.
>
> I was told to look for a tire that had a rounded
> shoulder.
> Supposedly the handling is better with a tread that
> can roll rather than laying flat like a more modern
> design tire.
>
> I seems that the narrower tires are a bit easier to
> break loose a little bit without a quick transition
> from sticking to sliding.
>
> The Elan/Europa steel wheels are 5.5 inches wide.
> The
> Triumph wheels are 4.5 inches wide. I don't think
> the
> original wheels on my Seven were from a Herald.
> When I was searching for Triumph wheels the 4.5 were
> the slimest I could find.
>
> There are subtle differences between Triumph wheels.
> I found two variations of a plain steel wheel 4.5 x
> 13.
> The difference was in the size of the vent between
> the
> rim and the hub. The Herald wheel according the the
> guy who was restoring one has a larger vent than the
> plain steel wheel that came on my 65 Super7.
>
>
>
>
> >
> > BTW I expect to post another batch of photos of
> the
> > car to my web site, including the number plates...
> >
> > Meanwhile, I'm trying to limit my driving (over
> 1,000
> > mi so far!) to remain within the Classic Car
> insurance
> > contract!
> >
> > Thanks,
> > John Donohoe
> > '62 Lotus Seven 1135
> >
> > __________________________________________________
> > Yahoo! Photos - 35mm Quality Prints, Now Get 15
> Free!
> > http://photos.yahoo.com/
__________________________________________________
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