How many guys run Bill Board Tires here or that you know. Who has had issues?

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Cruise ships are generally safe too, but only if you ignore minor issues such as food safety, fire hazards, lack of employee training and ship maintenance, and ship captains that abandon ship before his crew and passengers....

.....but I'm guessing that a Cobra has a better power to weight ratio than a cruise ship....
Cheers,
Glen

[gthompson]

I haven't had any issues with the Billboards on either car

I just took off the wheels and tires on the 1965 because I think the billboards were 20+ years old and the wheels were the original Magnesium ones. I kept thinking that every time that I drove the car, that the tires or wheels were going to explode, but they never did
I went with a new set of wheels and Billboards

[decooney]

Originally Posted by REAL 1

How many guys here run Bill Boards?

How many do you know that have had issues with them blowing other than Bernica as noted in the other thread.

Wondering if this is just a freak occurrence or whether it happens more often and we just don't hear about it.

Had two sets. Being a function-first kinda person, I never really liked 'em that much. Flat spotted too easy, wore funny, strange cold tire handling, saw a few fine cracks on one of the tires and threw it in the garbage - finally lost interest in the hype. I'd take a set of the new Avons in a heartbeat over the big letter goodyears. Then again I kept the blackwall side of the tire facing outward anyhow.

[601HP]

Let me pour some more fuel on the fire.

Here's my right front GY BB. It's been mounted and driven on for 14 months. It is parked in the garage when not in use.


Here's my right rear GY BB. Been mounted and driven on for 14 months.


This tire is on the front of my F350 diesel dually. It's a Michelin and has been mounted and driven on approximately 18 months. This tire has 1/2 the miles on it that the GY BB's have. It's parked in the driveway and soaks up the sun and everything else.


David

[Bernica]

Yup. Looks very familiar. I have a Navigator that has Goodyear Fortera tires on it for 5+ years. Sits outside, not driven much, and tires still look new!

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by 601HP

Let me pour some more fuel on the fire.

Here's my right front GY BB. It's been mounted and driven on for 14 months. It is parked in the garage when not in use.


Here's my right rear GY BB. Been mounted and driven on for 14 months.


This tire is on the front of my F350 diesel dually. It's a Michelin and has been mounted and driven on approximately 18 months. This tire has 1/2 the miles on it that the GY BB's have. It's parked in the driveway and soaks up the sun and everything else.


David

Because street tires have additive and polymers to prevent age/UV cracks......race tires do not!

[601HP]

Mark IV:
Because street tires have additive and polymers to prevent age/UV cracks......race tires do not!

I/we all pretty much know that at this point. My post was just a FWIW.

Anyone who now owns the GY BB knows their tires will look like mine. Those who are "on the fence" about buying the GY BB may look at my photos and more easily decide which way their purchase may be headed.

Have a nice day!

David

[Bernica]

Originally Posted by 601HP

Mark IV:
[b][i]Anyone who now owns the GY BB knows their tires will look like mine. Those who are "on the fence" about buying the GY BB may look at my photos and more easily decide which way their purchase may be headed.

Have a nice day!

David

Or look at my pics if you don't believe David.

[bwcobra15]

I have a new set of Billboards inside my garage, in the darkest coolest corner, waiting for my build to be completed to roll. Whats the best way to preserve them? Wrap them up in air tight plastic shrink wrap? Should I wait as long as possible to mount them to wheels and air them up? I'd like to be able to roll the car around on tire dollies while continuing the build. maybe I should get a set a junk wheels/tires for that purpose...

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by bwcobra15

I have a new set of Billboards inside my garage, in the darkest coolest corner, waiting for my build to be completed to roll. Whats the best way to preserve them? Wrap them up in air tight plastic shrink wrap? Should I wait as long as possible to mount them to wheels and air them up? I'd like to be able to roll the car around on tire dollies while continuing the build. maybe I should get a set a junk wheels/tires for that purpose...

In sealed bags of nitrogen...............

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by bwcobra15

I have a new set of Billboards inside my garage, in the darkest coolest corner, waiting for my build to be completed to roll. Whats the best way to preserve them? Wrap them up in air tight plastic shrink wrap? Should I wait as long as possible to mount them to wheels and air them up? I'd like to be able to roll the car around on tire dollies while continuing the build. maybe I should get a set a junk wheels/tires for that purpose...

I would sell them immediately. Time is not their (the Billboards) friend. Buy a set later, when you're ready roll, but at your own peril.

[Bernica]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

I would sell them immediately. Time is not their (the Billboards) friend. Buy a set later, when you're ready roll, but at your own peril.

I agree with RodKnock. No shelf life. Sell them to someone that can make use of them now and get yourself a set of junkers to roll around during the build. I have a set of BFG's just for that purpose!

[bwcobra15]

For Sale or Trade: one year old set of Goodyear Billboards, new never mounted. Will trade for new or slightly used Keith Craft 351/408W complete. include a TK0600 and i'll even pay shipping

[Thor maine]

I think we as responsible people should all agree Don't Run Goodyear BillBoards on the street. You get in an accident and the insurance investigator is sharp your insurance will be voided you will receive a summons and you will be sued and you will loose. "Willful Disregard" for running non D.O.T tires. So you loose everything all because you want your Cobra to have the "right look"

[REAL 1]

Every Cobra Or replica thereof on the road is non DOT approved. The issue is BBs dry out sooner then DOT tires and should be switched for a new set sooner then tires with more elastomers in them.

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by REAL 1

The issue is BBs dry out sooner then DOT tires and should be switched for a new set sooner then tires with more elastomers in them.

And there you go, suffice to say, the real bottom line is, don't bother with the bill boards for street use. Cool is one thing, but safety is another.


Bill S.

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by REAL 1

Every Cobra Or replica thereof on the road is non DOT approved.

Actually that is not really true.

Many (most?) replicas are DOT compliant, however they are not NHTSA compliant. DOT sets standards for components i.e. brake hoses are double crimped, have compilant sheathing, etc. That is a DOT standard. So is windshield glass meeting AS1 DOT standards, seat belt certification, etc. NHTSA sets standards of performance i.e. braking distance, interior materials flammability, crash standards and so on.

Most of the parts you purchase to build a replica are DOT approved. If you got brake hoses at the auto parts store they are approved. If you used DOT brake fluid, ditto. Sealed beam headlamps, ditto again.

Many people confuse DOT with NHTSA, they are not the same.

[REAL 1]

Originally Posted by Mark IV

Actually that is not really true.

Many (most?) replicas are DOT compliant, however they are not NHTSA compliant. DOT sets standards for components i.e. brake hoses are double crimped, have compilant sheathing, etc. That is a DOT standard. So is windshield glass meeting AS1 DOT standards, seat belt certification, etc. NHTSA sets standards of performance i.e. braking distance, interior materials flammability, crash standards and so on.

Most of the parts you purchase to build a replica are DOT approved. If you got brake hoses at the auto parts store they are approved. If you used DOT brake fluid, ditto. Sealed beam headlamps, ditto again.

Many people confuse DOT with NHTSA, they are not the same.

Yes..but NHSTA is an agency of the DOT. While many components in Cobras and replicas are DOT compliant many are not ie. your windshields, visors, many seat belts etc..not one of these cars would meet NHSTA safety standards and thus be DOT approved.

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by REAL 1

not one of these cars would meet NHSTA safety standards and thus be DOT approved.

No, they would be DOT approved but NOT NHTSA approved. Big difference. And they are ALL departments of the US Government so NONE of them are "Government" approved.

Beware.......Obama is watching...............

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by REAL 1

Every Cobra Or replica thereof on the road is non DOT approved. The issue is BBs dry out sooner then DOT tires and should be switched for a new set sooner then tires with more elastomers in them.

I agree with the first sentence. EDIT: Cobras are NOT Federally approved, and who cares what agency.

I would also add that nearly all cars make contact with the road in only 4 spots. Personally, I would want those 4 contact spots to be extraordinarily safe.