RADIAL TIRES DERBY BENTLEY 18 INCH

GTJOEY1314 · Joined: 23 Oct 2023 Posts: 25 Location: New York, USA

My 1938 Derby is the last of the 18 inch wheels.
I put new Ensigns and they are Fine for looks and cautious driving.
I dropped the pressure from 30 to 28 which helped alot.
Anyone RECENTLEY put miles on a set of radials?
Thanks in advance
GTJOEY1314

John Murch · Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2023 4:42 pm Post subject:

A few years ago, (so not recently!) a well respected Rolls-Royce 20/25 owner reported fitting radials and made the following observations:
Smoother ride
Lighter steering
Improved cornering
It stopped tramlining in the troughs left by HGV’s

GTJOEY1314 · Joined: 23 Oct 2023 Posts: 25 Location: New York, USA

Thank you my friend for the response...
GTJOEY1314

Richardson Masten · Joined: 01 Jan 1970 Posts: 49 Location: California, USA

Put about 150 miles on Excelsior Stahl radials on B197KU and enjoyed the ride.. Air pressure 44 lbs. required. I've had radials on my R-Type, B101WG, for more than 100,000 miles. The only way to go!

Martin Webster · Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2024 12:19 pm Post subject:

Which radials are you using on your R type?

Richardson Masten · Joined: 01 Jan 1970 Posts: 49 Location: California, USA

After going through two sets of very satisfactory Michelins, as they were unavailable, I installed a set of "Avon TurboSteel 6.70R16"s. After around 5,000 miles, including the BDC, "Wild West Tour," in 2021, I find that the ride is a little softer, otherwise the tyre has been very nice. I used tubes in the Michelins, but I am running the Avons tubeless and with a little more air pressure than the Owner's Manual suggests. The only negative I see is that they are not M&S rated, but then I don't expect to take Benjamin to the snow anytime soon.

Richardson Masten · Joined: 01 Jan 1970 Posts: 49 Location: California, USA

After going through two sets of very satisfactory Michelins, as they were unavailable, I installed a set of "Avon TurboSteel 6.70R16"s. After around 5,000 miles, including the BDC, "Wild West Tour," in 2021, I find that the ride is a little softer, otherwise the tyre has been very nice. I used tubes in the Michelins, but I am running the Avons tubeless and with a little more air pressure than the Owner's Manual suggests. The only negative I see is that they are not M&S rated, but then I don't expect to take Benjamin to the snow anytime soon.

Richardson Masten · Joined: 01 Jan 1970 Posts: 49 Location: California, USA

After going through two sets of very satisfactory Michelins, as they were unavailable, I installed a set of "Avon TurboSteel 6.70R16"s. After around 5,000 miles, including the BDC, "Wild West Tour," in 2021, I find that the ride is a little softer, otherwise the tyre has been very nice. I used tubes in the Michelins, but I am running the Avons tubeless and with a little more air pressure than the Owner's Manual suggests. The only negative I see is that they are not M&S rated, but then I don't expect to take Benjamin to the snow anytime soon.

Martin Webster · Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2024 8:58 am Post subject:

Thank you very much for that advice, I presume that the Avon rolling diameter is the same as for the crossplys? I have been using Blockleys for approximately 5000 miles and have found them quite satisfactory as they have very stiff sidewalls but there is always the background hum. I will look at the Avons as they appear to be the best Radial option.

Richardson Masten · Joined: 01 Jan 1970 Posts: 49 Location: California, USA

The Avon's are quiet. On the sidewall it states, "REPLACES 6.50R16."

Martin Webster · Posted: Tue Jun 18, 2024 9:13 am Post subject:

Thanks Ric,
Please let us know your findings regarding the steering wheel noise when you can,

Martin