need help with pre war tire sizes (28" and not the norm's)

[icyuod2]

i bought this old bike from the brantford vintage bike show.

not sure what it is. new departure hubs, serial numbers been ground off years ago.

ok here's my problem. spoke's came in and i got the wheels all laced up and i can't find tires
there 28" rims.
28x1 1/2 (635mm) are too big
28x 1.40 (622) are too small

what are my other options? they seem to be a super low profile rim, with a larger than normal valve stem hole.

any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[deorman]

Try a 27" tire = 630 ISO.

 

[sensor]

looks to be american made so im guessing the wheels are to.....if thats the case theyll be 28x1 1/2" but i havent seen anyone thats making repop clinchers for that size(you might drop a line to harper machine(they dont have a web site so youll have to get a catalog through snail mail(thats about the only place that may have some or might be able to give you a better lead)....
good luck

 

[icyuod2]

tried the 28x1 1/2 no go (635mm) there too big. (thats a 28x1 11/2 in the pic)
27" sounds like the ticket, and yes i do believe it is an american made bicycle.

thx guys!

 

[sensor]

not new 28x1 1/2" im talking prewar american tires.the schwalabes are metric tires(even if they state theyre 28 x 1 1/2" they arent the same size as ours)
youll need prewar american made clinchers or repops of them.

 

[icyuod2]

yeah the schwable states it's a 40-635mm (28x1 1/2-700x38b)

so where might one find the other 28x 1 1/2" tire? and when ordering, how do you ensure your getting the right one?

sure am glad you know what your taking about sensor, cause this is mighty confusing.

and what are my chances a 27" tire (630mm) will fit? the 635mm are just a touch too big.

 

[sensor]

id start with a want ad on classic bicycles or the cabe.
if i recall right there was a thread on this awhile back on the cabe(for some reason its not loading for me right now :x but ill try again later and ill get the address for harper and hopefully i can find the thread for you as well)

 

[sensor]

okay found the thread.....
http://thecabe.com/vbulletin/showthread ... -Clinchers
and harpers addy
1329 Dunbar Ave
Dunbar, WV 25064
304-768-1147

 

[icyuod2]

well it would seem to me, that the 27x 1 3/8" tires gonna be easier to find than an old clincher.

thx sensor for all your help, i do believe i now know my head from my butt.

 

[SSG]

Maybe you should measure the bead circumference with string. This is a very helpful chart. http://www.bikecult.com/works/wheelsizes.html The other option would be to lace up some 622mm rims.

 

[icyuod2]

the owner of my lbs is a great guy. he's got 27x1 3/8" tires instock.

he said bring em in and we'll do some test fitting.
gonna start there and see where it leads me.

thx again guys for all your help.

 

[icyuod2]

hey deorman

got some info for ya.
i went and tried the 27x 1 3/8 the guys had mentioned.
i did find perfect fitting vee rubber.
27x 1 1/4 is the magic number

 

[SSG]

That's pretty interesting. Also good news is that they make white tires in 27x 1 1/4 and they're pretty cheap too.

 

[icyuod2]

yeah i paid less than $30 for tires,tubes and new grips from my lbs.

ok there not a perfect fit, but they do fit well.
they are indeed a tiny bit on the large side. when i started to inflate the tire
the bead wanted to lift/bulge right by the stem. i just held that spot till the presure was enough to seat the tire properly.

not perfect, but to me its a match made in heaven.

 

[deorman]

Glad it worked out. 8) Another incremental increase in the RRB knowledge base. :idea:

 

[NLCTVWguy]

Good that it worked out. A friend of mine has a very similar bike in just a little better shape.

On his some of the stencils are still visible and it says Hawthorne DeLuxe in white and apparently orange script letters.

The bike probably had a "toolbox tank" at one time as well as a large horn and a light on the handlebar crossbar, with a battery pack hanging below the lower straightbar in the frame.

His had similar early steel rims. Earlier bikes used wood rims in the 28" size. His appears to be 1937-39 vintage so perhaps yours is too.

Good luck with it! It's one great ol' rat!

--Rob

 

[sensor]

glad you found a fit :mrgreen:
just out of curiosity...are the wheels 25" in circumference(w/o tires)? ive never seen 28" clinchers in person all the wood/clad wheels are so just looking to increase my knowledge....

 

[icyuod2]

i'll snap you some measurement pic's in the morn.

 

[icyuod2]

there approx 5/8" in height (how's that for low profile.

1 1/8" wide

as for the height, well i'm getting a little more than 25"

problem is thespokes and axle get in the way.(just a little right of center)

if i had to hazzard a guess, i'd say there closer to 25 1/8".

after i get the photoshoot/build off outta the way, i'll tear down a rim and get ya accurate measurements.

 

[DHrider]

oh no... i think i am going to have the same issue as well. perhaps i will try the 27's too