Where have all the tyres gone?

[Phil Davies]

Right then.
I have just this minute had a telephone conversation with a very, very nice man at Avon Tyres Motorsport.
He has confirmed that they are making BRAND NEW moulds for 3.50 x 16 inch sidecar racing tyres - how fantastic is that for our sport!!!
The availability of these tyres is anticipated for March 2017 (first out the mould next Feb for testing).
He is (at the time of speaking) unsure how they will go to market, he has given me his phone number for him to be contacted in Feb so I can inform when he finally knows for sure.
Avon are making a sizeable batch to ensure the early season's demand can be met.
You now know what your christmas list looks like!

[steve-e]

Who was this man?

[Phil Davies]

Steve
Cannot say the man's name yet (he did not want to be deluged by people asking the same question over and over), he was OK to give me his name on the basis that he said that he would confirm (when I ring him, because he is waaayyy busy making tyres, strangely enough!!!) the planned availability nearer the projected date.
Just save your pennies up 'till march

He also confirmed that with the Good Year enforced move of Dunlop competition tyres to France and the subsequent halt in production, that there are now many historic classes that do not ANY competition tyres for the upcoming season.
Seems that the Good Year management are well disconnected from their actual businesses.

[Bender306]

Waiting patiently in the colonies ...

[Phil Davies]

Hot news on tyres! - as opposed to news on hot tyres!!!!

The very nice man at Avon confirmed today (I was supposed to ring him yesterday) that an initial batch of tyres was not up the standard they require, they are making another batch, some of these are going to be tested on an outfit at CRMC Snet 18/19 March (hello Andy).
Subject to good test feedback a production batch will be made for general sale PDQ after that.

The man advised that £140 + VAT is the price they expect to retail at (I think that is fantasticly good).

I am assuming that availability to the colonies will be through the normal Avon motorsport dealer route, if not send me a PM and I'll speak again to the nice Avon man to what can happen.

[666]

Hersham racing,Ken Inwood, normally buys direct from dunlop,the current batch.If dunlop have not made any ,we used to use avon Am22/23 or metzeler{ can't remember the name} could be rennsport.It seemed to offend some in classic circles though they comply with the rules, treaded tyre with moulded rather that cut treads,but being race compounds the grip was outstanding,especially in the wet.The 16'' tyres were for the crop of Ducati's of late 80's with 16'' wheels,the front is low profile with the rear higher profile ,which speeds up the steering a little.
regards ian

Ian, Thanks for the info on AM22/23, but our forks,s/arm and rear units are too close to run these tyres as they are solo tyres and are very wide across the side wall.

Regards John.

[oldbelly]

Do the 16" wheeled outfits run 3.50 on the back and front. In the distant past I thought it was a bit wider on the back or narrower on the front. It was a long time ago mind.

[Phil Davies]

You don't have any choice these days Geoff, the only width size Dunlop made in the modern era was 3.50 and Avon have made moulds for this same size. The reason being is that there are still lots of BMW outfits abroad that can only accommodate a maximum size of 3.50, so it does not make financial sense to make bigger tyres.
But in any case, from my experience, the 3.50 sits perfectly on a 4.00 rim like it was made for it, whereas on a 3.50 rim the tyre moves around sideways too much. Just try getting hold of a 16 x 4.00 rim these days though.

[666]

Phil, Dunlop made 3" 3.25" and 3.50" in 60's and early 70's. Avon made a 4" which a lot of us used on the rear.I have two 4"x16" rims but I think the 4" marking refers to the max tread width of tyre which can be used or outside rim measurement. The inside rim dimension is 2.625" which is the recommended width for the Dunlop 3.50"x16".

[Bender306]

Are tyres likely to be available before September? We're in mid winter rebuild mode, but would be good to order tyres directly ex UK.
The Dunlops were never available down here, we always had to bring them in privately.

[Eric & Julie]

What is the latest on this ?
Has Dunlop France made a batch ?
Are the Avons out and about ? If so how are they performing?

I know the Dunlop thing is even more complicated as they don't own the license to the tyres, (it is clearly marked on them, copyright made under license )

We are building a new chassis for next year, staying with a 16" front and going to a 15" rear, they seem to be working well on some other outfits.

[sidecarracing]

Well then, there's news!

http://www.classic-motorrad.de/forum/fo ... car-reifen

Google translate gives this:

3 hours ago

Hello ,
Finally, Dunlop has confirmed the delivery date in August
Tires are pre-ordered. The sport / license driver's price is 183, - €
Not As high as expected after a new mold is built
had to.
Please order pre-orders at info@road-race-service.de or 0173-5338882
The invoice will not be issued until the tires have arrived.

Mfg.Kurt Busenius road-race-service

[jdaley]

Did these tyres actually get made?

[Kees Endeveld]

https://www.sidecarshop.co.uk/Webwinkel ... unlop.html

[666]

We did a lot of testing for both and have been using for two seasons and we prefer the dunlops.If you would like more info PM me