The Ford Barn

raprice · 11-25-2015, 07:44 PM

I need to replace the tires on my '30 Model A coupe. I wonder how many our forum members have Universal Tires on their cars. How reliable and durable are they? I'm also considering Lesters. I know that they are U.S.A. made.
Thanks for the help.
Rog

DougVieyra · 11-25-2015, 09:00 PM

I bought a set of Universal tires (21") for my '28 Phaeton about 35 or 40 years ago. I bought them because they had the original Firestone tread/sidewall design of the 1928 Firestone tires. I have been driving on them for about 15 thousand miles and two are in need of replacing, and the other two are not too far behind. While I like the original size (smaller than today's - wrong design - Firestones) of these 40 year old tires, I am disappointed in their short life span. I have had today's modern Firestone tires, on two different cars, which I drove every day for thirty years. They NEVER seem to wear out. Sadly that is not the case with my Universal tires.

At the time I bought my Universal tires (35 years ago) I also bought a set of LESTER tires. However, I never did mount them - they are still in the paper wrappers. So I can not give any testimony to their durability.

But I would LOVE to have a set of the new GoodYear tires - original 1930 design; however, as they are fairly new, they have not yet had a chance to be judged as to their long term durability and wear.

Mike V. Florida · 11-25-2015, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raprice

I need to replace the tires on my '30 Model A coupe. I wonder how many our forum members have Universal Tires on their cars. How reliable and durable are they? I'm also considering Lesters. I know that they are U.S.A. made.
Thanks for the help.
Rog

I have them and like them. They out lasted my Firestones by years.

raprice · 11-26-2015, 04:49 PM

Thanks fellas.
Rog

inex01 · 11-27-2015, 05:55 AM

I purchased a set of Lester tires from Universal early last year, the whitewalls kept turning a yellow shade and when I called Universal they told me that the tires were covered under warranty and they offered replacement.

I live in Maryland and they are located a couple of hours drive away so I setup an appointment. When I arrived the service I received was OUTSTANDING! immediately upon my arrival "Mike" asked me to bring my car to the garage door; he then removed the six wheels from my car and immediately began to remove the tires from the rims and install the new replacement tires.

Mike is a real pleasant and decent person and wow can Mike install tires quickly I was out of there in 30 minuets for all six tires!

My new Lester whitewalls are staying nice and white and they provide a real quiet ride. Bottom line I highly recommend Universal because they stand behind their products and are a pleasure to do business with so if in need of tires give them a call.

Patrick L. · 11-27-2015, 06:59 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

My next tires will be radials. Doesn't answer your question though does it.

Charlie Stephens · 11-27-2015, 07:03 AM

I have read that Bratton's is the best place to buy the tubes.

Charlie Stephens

Wilbur · 11-27-2015, 07:08 AM

I bought a set of 21" Lesters from Universal this past summer and am totally satisfied with them and the company. I mounted mine onto newly powder coated wheels using the plastic bag method. Man, that is the slickest way to do it ever. No tool ever touched my wheels and therefore no chips!

J Witt · 11-27-2015, 07:21 AM

Two things: I'm astonished that it's possible to safely drive on really old tires (age, not tread wear). Most modern tires are age limited to 5-7 years.

Second, what is the "plastic bag method" for mounting tires?

John

richsfords · 11-27-2015, 07:25 AM

Wilber
I just received 5 BFG tires from Croker and to be put on new powder coated RED rims and I am interested in the plastic bag method, please describe it.
RIchard

Mike V. Florida · 11-27-2015, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wilbur

I bought a set of 21" Lesters from Universal this past summer and am totally satisfied with them and the company. I mounted mine onto newly powder coated wheels using the plastic bag method. Man, that is the slickest way to do it ever. No tool ever touched my wheels and therefore no chips!

Quote:

Originally Posted by J Witt

Two things: I'm astonished that it's possible to safely drive on really old tires (age, not tread wear). Most modern tires are age limited to 5-7 years.

Second, what is the "plastic bag method" for mounting tires?

John

Quote:

Originally Posted by richsfords

Wilber
I just received 5 BFG tires from Croker and to be put on new powder coated RED rims and I am interested in the plastic bag method, please describe it.
RIchard

http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2936

C26Pinelake · 11-27-2015, 08:59 AM

Brattons and Snyders have the same high quality tubes! Wayne

msmaron · 11-27-2015, 11:25 AM

i am on my second set of Universals. They are only good for 15k approx. I got 19K on them and they are just fine for my daily driver.

28Ca8149 · 11-27-2015, 12:49 PM

My 28 roadster That I bought in 1955 from the original owner .Has 174,000 miles on it .It has a second set of tires "Atlas" when I bought it .The spare is still the same tire that came with the car .The first owner said that the Atlas tires weren't as good as the Firestones that came with the car This isn't my dayly driver but I still drive it about 50 miles a year

JD 1931 · 11-27-2015, 12:55 PM

I have a set of universal tires on my coupe, 19in. , been over 11yrs and bought them form universal tire and shipped to the house. They are good but price has almost doubled since then..

Wilbur · 11-27-2015, 01:03 PM

The Plastic Bag Method...I had seen this on You Tube a while ago and took it one better. What a breeze to mount new tires. Go out to a dollar store and buy a box of 55 gallon trash bags, thin mil, such as 1.1 or so.

Bolt the wheel onto your spare tire rack ( if it's on the rear of the car) with the valve stem hole at the top.

Inflate the tube a little bit and dust it with a little baby powder. Put the tube into the tire.

Set the tire onto the wheel, at the top, and get the valve stem into the hole.

Take one of the trash bags and pull it up over the wheel, behind the tire and up as far as you can get it up toward the stem.

Now put a hand on each side of the tire and work it down over the wheel. Put your knee on to get the last little bit to pop on.

The plastic bag is now between the wheel and the tire. Just pull it out and inflate the tire. Done.

Surprising, one cheap-ass bag did all 5 wheels.

11-25-2015, 07:44 PM	#1
raprice Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Elwood, NY Posts: 299	Model A Tires I need to replace the tires on my '30 Model A coupe. I wonder how many our forum members have Universal Tires on their cars. How reliable and durable are they? I'm also considering Lesters. I know that they are U.S.A. made. Thanks for the help. Rog

11-25-2015, 09:00 PM	#2
DougVieyra Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Eureka, California Posts: 1,716	Re: Model A Tires I bought a set of Universal tires (21") for my '28 Phaeton about 35 or 40 years ago. I bought them because they had the original Firestone tread/sidewall design of the 1928 Firestone tires. I have been driving on them for about 15 thousand miles and two are in need of replacing, and the other two are not too far behind. While I like the original size (smaller than today's - wrong design - Firestones) of these 40 year old tires, I am disappointed in their short life span. I have had today's modern Firestone tires, on two different cars, which I drove every day for thirty years. They NEVER seem to wear out. Sadly that is not the case with my Universal tires. At the time I bought my Universal tires (35 years ago) I also bought a set of LESTER tires. However, I never did mount them - they are still in the paper wrappers. So I can not give any testimony to their durability. But I would LOVE to have a set of the new GoodYear tires - original 1930 design; however, as they are fairly new, they have not yet had a chance to be judged as to their long term durability and wear.

11-26-2015, 04:49 PM	#4
raprice Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Elwood, NY Posts: 299	Re: Model A Tires Thanks fellas. Rog

11-27-2015, 05:55 AM	#5
inex01 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Rockville, Maryland Posts: 350	Re: Model A Tires I purchased a set of Lester tires from Universal early last year, the whitewalls kept turning a yellow shade and when I called Universal they told me that the tires were covered under warranty and they offered replacement. I live in Maryland and they are located a couple of hours drive away so I setup an appointment. When I arrived the service I received was OUTSTANDING! immediately upon my arrival "Mike" asked me to bring my car to the garage door; he then removed the six wheels from my car and immediately began to remove the tires from the rims and install the new replacement tires. Mike is a real pleasant and decent person and wow can Mike install tires quickly I was out of there in 30 minuets for all six tires! My new Lester whitewalls are staying nice and white and they provide a real quiet ride. Bottom line I highly recommend Universal because they stand behind their products and are a pleasure to do business with so if in need of tires give them a call. __________________ Chuck McDonald, Member of AACA, Model A Club, NRA

11-27-2015, 06:59 AM	#6
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: Model A Tires Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) My next tires will be radials. Doesn't answer your question though does it.

11-27-2015, 07:03 AM	#7
Charlie Stephens Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 7,033	Re: Model A Tires I have read that Bratton's is the best place to buy the tubes. Charlie Stephens

11-27-2015, 07:08 AM	#8
Wilbur Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 113	Re: Model A Tires I bought a set of 21" Lesters from Universal this past summer and am totally satisfied with them and the company. I mounted mine onto newly powder coated wheels using the plastic bag method. Man, that is the slickest way to do it ever. No tool ever touched my wheels and therefore no chips!

11-27-2015, 07:21 AM	#9
J Witt Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Acworth GA Posts: 534	Re: Model A Tires Two things: I'm astonished that it's possible to safely drive on really old tires (age, not tread wear). Most modern tires are age limited to 5-7 years. Second, what is the "plastic bag method" for mounting tires? John __________________ Houston, Tranquility base here. The Eagle has landed.

11-27-2015, 07:25 AM	#10
richsfords Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 140	Re: Model A Tires Wilber I just received 5 BFG tires from Croker and to be put on new powder coated RED rims and I am interested in the plastic bag method, please describe it. RIchard

11-27-2015, 08:59 AM	#12
C26Pinelake BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Michigan / Ontario border, Sarnia, Ontario. 50 miles from Detroit and 150 from Toronto. Posts: 5,800	Re: Model A Tires Brattons and Snyders have the same high quality tubes! Wayne

11-27-2015, 11:25 AM	#13
msmaron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wauconda, IL Posts: 3,600	Re: Model A Tires i am on my second set of Universals. They are only good for 15k approx. I got 19K on them and they are just fine for my daily driver. __________________ Mark Maron Ill., Region MARC & MAFCA MARC JSC Member MAFFI Trustee National Facebook Admin. https://www.facebook.com/groups/MARC.group/ A7191-Sport Coupe 29 Roadster 29-Town Sedan 29-Original Special Coupe

11-27-2015, 12:49 PM	#14
28Ca8149 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Alberta CA Posts: 109	Re: Model A Tires My 28 roadster That I bought in 1955 from the original owner .Has 174,000 miles on it .It has a second set of tires "Atlas" when I bought it .The spare is still the same tire that came with the car .The first owner said that the Atlas tires weren't as good as the Firestones that came with the car This isn't my dayly driver but I still drive it about 50 miles a year

11-27-2015, 12:55 PM	#15
JD 1931 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: west coast Fla.. Posts: 311	Re: Model A Tires I have a set of universal tires on my coupe, 19in. , been over 11yrs and bought them form universal tire and shipped to the house. They are good but price has almost doubled since then..

11-27-2015, 01:03 PM	#16
Wilbur Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 113	Re: Model A Tires The Plastic Bag Method...I had seen this on You Tube a while ago and took it one better. What a breeze to mount new tires. Go out to a dollar store and buy a box of 55 gallon trash bags, thin mil, such as 1.1 or so. Bolt the wheel onto your spare tire rack ( if it's on the rear of the car) with the valve stem hole at the top. Inflate the tube a little bit and dust it with a little baby powder. Put the tube into the tire. Set the tire onto the wheel, at the top, and get the valve stem into the hole. Take one of the trash bags and pull it up over the wheel, behind the tire and up as far as you can get it up toward the stem. Now put a hand on each side of the tire and work it down over the wheel. Put your knee on to get the last little bit to pop on. The plastic bag is now between the wheel and the tire. Just pull it out and inflate the tire. Done. Surprising, one cheap-ass bag did all 5 wheels.