Author Topic: Motorcycle tires on skinny rims  (Read 37222 times)

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Offline aircooledtechguy

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Motorcycle tires on skinny rims
« on: November 10, 2014, 12:16:53 PM »
After seeing a couple cars at this years WOS running motorcycle tires, I have had a hard time getting this out of my head.  Clearly my staggered 6.5"/8" wheels with their corresponding 205/235 tires, while great on the street/track, are NOT optimal for the salt. :lol:

So I contacted my buddy who can narrow a set of Porsche wheels for me in hopes of running 17" motorcycle tires and he mentioned that motorcycles use a different bead seat on the wheels/tires.  :?  Huh??  So how did those of you that ran the motorcycle tires accomplish this on stock rims??

I've got a set of base model Boxster twist wheels that have the perfect offset to the outer rim lip that could be narrowed easily but why bother if tires won't safely mount. . .
Regards,

Nate M.
Anacortes, WA
Owner: ProVolks LLC

Offline generatorshovel

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Offline vwpsycho

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Re: Motorcycle tires on skinny rims
« Reply #2 on: November 11, 2014, 11:48:53 PM »
We run 15x6 VW Passat steel wheels. We've used 23", 24" and 26" Goodyear Frontrunners up to 220 mph on a 3200 lb. FWD car with ~1000 lb on each drive tire with no issues whatsover.
Abe Potter
Salt Lake City
2571 G/PS Volkswagen Passat

Offline Kiwi Paul

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Re: Motorcycle tires on skinny rims
« Reply #3 on: November 12, 2014, 12:07:22 AM »
Abe--Make sure you really look at those Frontrunners  each time you have run them. I Inspected a pair that came from a front wheel drive turbo car that runs in the 230 range, and they were not nice. Tread chunking, deformation and a case of Driver Shorts Fill....The better bet would be the correct Goodyears if you get the Passat going a bit quicker. By the way--I think I Inspected your car when you first bought it out. Nice Job..

Offline 36hplandspeedracer

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Re: Motorcycle tires on skinny rims
« Reply #4 on: March 11, 2015, 08:48:11 PM »
Dewey and Abe run the worlds fastest four cylinder VW, their 2000 Passat. Like Kiwi said, it's nice.


Photo by Burly Burlile

Burly

Offline dw230

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Re: Motorcycle tires on skinny rims
« Reply #5 on: March 12, 2015, 01:04:50 PM »
That car is faster than Rick Yacoucci's 'Busa streamliner?

DW
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Offline Speed Limit 1000

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Re: Motorcycle tires on skinny rims
« Reply #6 on: March 12, 2015, 10:59:21 PM »
Dan, He said VW :-D
« Last Edit: March 13, 2015, 08:02:28 PM by SPARKY »
John Gowetski, red hat @ 221.183 MPH MSA Lakester, Bockscar #1000 60 ci normally aspirated w/N20

Offline dw230

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Re: Motorcycle tires on skinny rims
« Reply #7 on: March 13, 2015, 10:00:52 AM »
Whoops, you are right John - I read too fast.

DW
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Alcohol - because no good story starts with a salad.

Don't be Karen, be Beth

Offline BobsVW

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Re: Motorcycle tires on skinny rims
« Reply #8 on: March 17, 2015, 12:31:34 AM »
When I started my Bonneville build with my 1968 VW Bug, I couldn't find tires rated for the USFRA 130/150 classes. Ended up talking to BJ Burkdoll, the USFRA tech inspector. I'm using Hoosier drag racing front tires on both ends of my car...23" on the front to help drop the front end, and 25" for the rear.

Another racer uses motorcycle tires.

BUT, in both cases we are both using narrow VW rims...4.5".

Don't even think about using wide tires on the salt...Narrow is required/desired/the way to go.

Offline fredvance

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Re: Motorcycle tires on skinny rims
« Reply #9 on: March 17, 2015, 11:22:42 AM »
oboy here we go!! :dhorse:
WORLDS FASTEST PRODUCTION MOTORCYCLE 213.470
Vance&Forstall Racing
WOS 2011 235+MPH
Engine by Knecum, Tuned by Johnny Cheese.
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Offline redhotracing

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Re: Motorcycle tires on skinny rims
« Reply #10 on: March 17, 2015, 12:39:14 PM »
Dewey and Abe run the worlds fastest four cylinder VW, their 2000 Passat. Like Kiwi said, it's nice.


Photo by Burly Burlile

Burly


Isn't Das Bullet the fastest 4cyl. VW @ 246.xxx?

Love the Passat, BTW.
Luke- Winston Salem, NC
Loring 2 Club- 201.252 (2010)
Ohio 2 Club- 203.712 (2013)

Offline Seldom Seen Slim

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Re: Motorcycle tires on skinny rims
« Reply #11 on: March 17, 2015, 01:46:12 PM »
Thanks for saying that, Fred.  I was going to say it -- but thought I'd let you lead the band this time. :evil: :evil:
Jon E. Wennerberg
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 Skandia, Michigan
 (that's way up north)
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Offline dw230

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Re: Motorcycle tires on skinny rims
« Reply #12 on: March 18, 2015, 03:15:24 PM »
I thought Das Bullet t a powered by Audi? Or are they the same company?

DW
White Goose Bar - Where LSR is a lifestyle
Alcohol - because no good story starts with a salad.

Don't be Karen, be Beth

Offline redhotracing

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Re: Motorcycle tires on skinny rims
« Reply #13 on: March 19, 2015, 09:50:21 AM »
DW-
I thought Das Bullet t a powered by Audi? Or are they the same company?

DW

VW/Audi use the same (in Cosgrove's case) 1.8T motor... the only difference in
application use is sometimes Audi will put one in longitudinally for an AWD car...

I've had that motor in cars from each manufacturer; same thing... They can take
an outstanding amount of boost. A friend in upper NY has one sitting at 600awhp
in his 2001 Audi A4 Avant (WAGON)--- Talk about a sleeper!

DW- You guys are running a turbo VR6 in your MMP, right? Another solid motor...  :mrgreen:

Luke- Winston Salem, NC
Loring 2 Club- 201.252 (2010)
Ohio 2 Club- 203.712 (2013)

Offline jacksoni

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Re: Motorcycle tires on skinny rims
« Reply #14 on: March 19, 2015, 11:48:23 AM »
I thought Das Bullet t a powered by Audi? Or are they the same company?

DW
Dan- I was wondering if this sort of name swapping in any way runs afoul of engine swap rules? Same engine but Audi and VW are clearly different critters, a least in some ways. Of course same problem with Honda/Accura and Nissan/Infiniti  etc.
Jack Iliff
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