[1974 silver shadow]

Hi fellow members,

I just purchased a 1974 silver shadow which didn't come with the handbook.

First thing i did was put new tyres on. What are the F/R tyre pressure?

Thank you.

W. Retrapante

 

[guyslp]

I will give you the original inflation figures but tell you *DON'T USE THEM*!!

Front: 24 PSI
Rear: 28 PSI

These inflations are grossly inadequate and unsafe. To quote a far
more learned colleague from another RR club:

"Just a few notes. Having been with these cars since the end of the 1960's with many miles (a million or so), perhaps I may comment on tyre pressures ? When my father first had his 1954 R-Type as a family car, he was dismayed at the incredibly low tyre pressures prescribed.

Crewe wanted you to crash in comfort it seemed.

He immediately upped the pressures to 32/35 on crossplies. He did the same on the T-Series, but 34/38 on Avon radials and with other brands later (235.70R15 101H and 235.70R15 102V). I run my Turbo R at 38/42 (255.55ZR17 102W).

As an aside, I spoke to a Michelin representative a few years ago, and asked why Michelin was not the preferred tyre source for Crewe. He told me very bluntly that they would not supply to any Company recommending such ridiculously dangerous low pressures in the tyres for their cars."

 

[1974 silver shadow]

Brian,

Thank you.

I will start at 28/32 and move upward to see how it would feel.

Will report finding.

W. Retrapante

 

[1974 silver shadow]

I have F/35 R/32 without adverse effect to the ride. I think I'll stick to these numbers.

W. Retrapante

 

[guyslp]

I have F/35 R/32 without adverse effect to the ride. I think I'll stick to these numbers.

W. Retrapante

I believe, and I could be wrong here, that having your front pressure several PSI higher than the rear will cause additional premature wear on the front tires. I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I've never seen recommendations for higher front tire than rear tire pressure on a rear wheel drive automobile.

 

[KC Saayman]

Even though Johannesburg is South Africa’s most modern city, our roads are poorly maintained. Therefore, for the sake of comfort I run my 1974 Shadow’s tyres at 32 PSI for my daily commute to work and back, mostly on slow suburban roads, with a short highway run perhaps once or twice a month.

However, whenever I have a longer trip planned, a run with the club or when we go on holiday I increase the pressure to 36 PSI.

I agree that the lower pressures are unsafe, so I seldom exceed 50 mph on my daily commute.

Regards

KC

 

[dougal]

I agree with the higher tyre pressures.

I do fit my car on Michelin tyres because these period asymetric tyres handle superbly

Here is a short film about tyre choice https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8sp5NGoAIk

here is a short film of the tyres being tested at 110mph on a German Autobahn https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBSw_8zaBGU