Long Trip on Goodyear BB's?

[lineslinger]

I have read they can be a real adventure in the rain or wet conditions.

[Stentor]

Originally Posted by lineslinger

I have read they can be a real adventure in the rain or wet conditions.

Wet traction for the GY Billboards is good. You might be thinking of or referring to Goodyear G-7s (which look similar to the Billboards).

[xlr8or]

Originally Posted by lineslinger

I have read they can be a real adventure in the rain or wet conditions.

I didn't have any problems with them in the wet. So long as you didn't stab at the go pedal stuck as good as any other tire.

[PatBuckley]

Agreed - after all, these were developed as rain tires, if memory serves.

[Silverback51]

Thanks for the input everyone. I'm just going to go with some new rear tires and get a small air compressor.

I run 20-22 PSI in the front and 18-20 PSI in the rear. If you look on the Roger Kraus site, they recommend 20 PSI front and rear for racing. And generally racing carries a little more pressure so the side walls do not roll under during cornering.

In regard to DOT approval, bias ply tires can be DOT approved. The reason the Billboard are not is the side wall and tread carcass is very thin since it's a race tire. Less heat build up that way, but they also do not react well to pot holes and other items that we may hit on the highway.

Thanks again everyone.

[PatBuckley]

John, are you sure that ALL bias ply tires cannot get DOT approval?

[Silverback51]

Originally Posted by PatBuckley

John, are you sure that ALL bias ply tires cannot get DOT approval?

Hello Pat,

Sorry, you misread my post. Bias ply tires can be DOT approved. Someone else posted that they could not, and I was correcting that.

[PatBuckley]

I did, sorry.

[jwd]

Originally Posted by Silverback51

Hello Pat,

Sorry, you misread my post. Bias ply tires can be DOT approved.

The only bias ply tires (legally allowed on the street) that won't have a DOT stamp are originals made prior to 1968.

Jim

[jwd]

Originally Posted by Silverback51

In regard to DOT approval, bias ply tires can be DOT approved. The reason the Billboard are not is the side wall and tread carcass is very thin since it's a race tire. Less heat build up that way, but they also do not react well to pot holes and other items that we may hit on the highway.

Thanks again everyone.

Right you are John. All tires destined for street use have a DOT number on them. That includes ALL reproduction bias ply tires etc. It has nothing to do with bias ply vs. radial.

The only problem running non DOT tires is that if you have an accident and injure someone while running them, an attorney would have a field day and easily prove negligence on your part.

Jim

[JCoop]

I haven't gone more than 150 miles/clip and don't have the GY BB either. However, I HAVE gotten a flat in one of the GY radials (old supercar size which is n/a)on my way to my "summer" home 75 miles out. I had 2 cans of Fix-a flat, which got me enough pressure to get to a gas station and fill up. The problem was the valve stem where it mounts to the rim. The gooey stuff seemed to fix it so I got to where I was going, hung out for the day, then decided to head back after checking that the tire pressure had held up. Well, 15 miles out, it went flat again. No more Fix-a flat cans. I decided to slowly drive back where I had a set of GY G7 hand-cut racing tires (from Roger Kraus). I had to change all 4 wheels/tires. The flat tire was shot and I can't find a replacement anymore. I had to spring for a full set of Nitto 555s. I run 17s. I now carry a full front wheel spare 15", a lead hammer, a tire repair kit including a small air compressor. 4 cans of Fix a flat. That doesn't leave much room for anything else in the trunk after also storing the top and windows there. Your problem would be where to put luggage. I, myself, am pondering a long trip this spring and trying to figure out if a trunk lid luggage rack with straps and suction cups is something worth looking into. Also, I'm putting together a list of spares and tools that would likely be needed in the event of a mechanical problem. Sorry for a long-winded reply but I think performance may be the least of your concerns; more like being prepared for the unexpected mechanical breakdown or a simple flat? Enjoy and tell us how it went...