Technical 16 inch wire wheel- Big n Littles?

Edit: discussion has moved to tire options, as I have sorted out the other issues.


Well, I needed some roller wheels and tires to use on my project, so I picked this one up at a swap meet with a motorcycle tire on it. Interesting part is that it is 32 spokes and 15 inches. 5 on 5.5 like always. Bad part is I only have one. So, if I were to want to find another one, I gotta know what it is!
Thanks for any help.

 

Does it look like the spokes were cut and re-welded onto a smaller wheel?

 

Looks factory to me- no seams no where. Looks exactly like my 16 inchers, just tinier.

 

Where did you measure to get the 15 inches? Is the tire size 15? Here for reference is a 16 inch '35 Ford. Yours does look a little smaller, maybe just the camera angle.

Charlie Stephens

 

I am not aware of any old 15 inch bike tires. HDs were 16 inch. That looks like a Harley tire. There must be some markings on it

 

Looks like a 16" to me. If you have any beauty rings, try one on.

 

From the early '30s General "Jumbo" days ... Motor Wheel, Clark, Goodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, etc. all sold versions during the "balloon tire" craze, from 13'' to 16'' rim diameter.
A close look at the inside of the rim should show the maker.

 

Kelsey-Hayes..My first guess..

 

Good eye Carl. I had to take a second look and I believe you are correct.

 

This is the normal bent spoke Kelsey every one uses but of course they could have made others.

Charlie Stephens

 

I still want to know where did you measure to get the 15 inches? or was it a tire size?

Charlie Stephens

 

So, big news. That was an old photo and I haven't taken a good look at it in a while. I was sold the wheel and tire as a 15 inch; at least that is what the seller told me. And I remember the tire being a lot lower than the one I paired it with, (possibly because motorcycle tires are small) but now that everyone is questioning it, I had to go out and take a look.

My mistake, it is a 16 inch


Well, doesn't that make me look stupid...

Btw, what 750 tires fit on this wheel- trying to run 450 in front as well. Sorry about that.

 

Thanks for getting back to us, that tire may be a tractor or farm equipment item. Bob

 

Hey Ben, no problem, at least we got to see Charlie's pic of an actual Kelsey-Hayes!
(and Charlie...in the hubcap!)

 

7.50-16 and 6.00-16 stones look great on wire wheels!

 

They do, but the tires sold by Coker and universal vintage that fit the bill are only suggested on 5.00 to 6.00 wide rims. These rims are more like 4 or 4.50 wide. What does everyone do?

 

If you have a thinner wheel, you just use thinner air.

 

Even if he is rippled!

 

I have run 7:50 and 6:00 x 16's on 4" rims. No problem! Actually the 6:00's were on V8 60's 1940 Ford Rims 3-1/2" wide.

 

If anyone has a mate to this 12 inch 40 spoke adjustable bent spoke Kelsey please let me know. I've had it so so long that is Nitrostan putt y on it. Bob

 

Another view.

 

WTF

 

Looks sweet if I were hot rodding a lawn mower.

But in all seriousness, are you sure they are Kelsey Hayes? KH has the bent spokes, while the modern renditions have those bulbous spoke mount things.

Btw ct, thanks for the tire help.

 

That 12 inch wheel has a 26-27 Ford wire wheel bolt pattern and was used on a Pre WWII Midget race car. Bob

 

The 7.50 and 6.00 stones are both on 4" rims! Been like that for ten years! Think it's gonna be a problem cause Coker recommends you buy rims from them? Not likely.