flappers

[artyfartymarty]

i've been looking closely at whitewalls for a while and have come to the conclusion that i'd like to have wide band whitewalls.

I currently have the narrow band sumitomo's and the only reason is that at the time i did not know that you could still get the wide band whitewalls, now that i do, i also know i am not likely to wanna spend that much. I've tried whitewall paint only to scrape it off c's it started to peel in a matter of days and am considering the Atlas whitewall inserts. aka Flappers.

I've heard a lot of negative stuff said about the inserts like they cut into the tyres, they come loose, they flap around at speed and can come off and destroy paintwork...balh blah blah surely someone has something positive to say about them c's they're moving stock....who has them???, who had them???, are they as bad as they're made out to be, how long do they last??? any comments/advice would be great.

[Devilrod]

Nothing good from me.... I prefer the real things, outlast any flapper and won't cut into your tyres. Cars and budgets never go hand in hand, so once you're over that bit you can happily spend like crazy and really enjoy your ride exactly how you want it. It just may take longer....

[FBeing]

I've got them
I have had no problems whatsoever
No flapping, no noise etc.
Been on my car for a few years, fair bit of highway driving too.

Having said that I am getting proper whitewalls and will be upgrading to 14 inch wheels soon.

I know AUST(mod) had some come off when he was motoring along at a decent speed.
Also if you kiss a gutter even slightly they will tear or rip.
They need to be installed properly too.
I also read somewhere that some insurance companies don't like them - dunno how true that is.

It is the cheaper option compared to getting new white walls tyres that's for sure.

[FBeing]

Cars and budgets never go hand in hand, so once you're over that bit you can happily spend like crazy and really enjoy your ride exactly how you want it. It just may take longer....

So true DR

[minifb]

i had no problems with mine until they got old. Then i got a new set,

[ben]

All good. First set lasted about 2yrs daily driving. Front LH will not last long if you start rubbing kerbs parking etc.

[jake08]

I used them for about a year and found them value for money (300 for blackwalls 150 for flappers and tubes)- not that I have the chips to buy a set of real wide whites to compare-
If you have the narrow band white walls you may be able to grind them into wider bands- there was a youtube video howto posted on this forum i think a while back. I don't know if all ww tyres are constructed the same but apparently you just gotta grind the black offa the white!
Personally I have seen this effect with some Raised white lettering tyres, while some raised white lettering wears off. I don't know that this is the safest Idea but if it was to appeal to you I'd do my home work. I think Antique tyres actually offer a service that shave your sidewalls and paints them too?

[EKjimmy]

I've heard that grinding sidewalls is illegal now (maybe has been for a while) as it would weaken the sidewall. Although you could possibly get away with it with narrow bands if a really neat job was done on them? I figure most cops these days would hardly even bother us, and when they do, many don't know the difference (at least the ones i've dealt with don't know )

[artyfartymarty]

great to get those comments guys. thanks for all the info and feedback. i've looked into it and the flappers don't look so cheap once you add postage, the workshop fitting, tubes and ballancing to the purchase price, could flog off my narrow bands to one of you local blokes, add the money i'd spend on the flappers + a bit extra from my pocket and i'd have the real thing. Flappers idea shelved.

i 'm with you DR. i know i need the real thing, just trying to cut corners to get more things ticked off the list with the same amount of fun tickets, but you're right, i just gotta bite the bullet and accept that what i want costs money and only the real thing is going to be the right thing.

i'm going to prioritise my to do list and it may just take a bit longer to get to some of the items at the bottom. i think i'll live with the narrow band white walls i have for a bit longer and get some of the other more important things sorted, like getting some of the rust bubbles removed and make some needed panel repairs.

thanks for your contributions

[thropzed]

My set of rims tyres and flappers owe me $350 all fitted balanced and tubed. I have had a few probs with the flappers at 85mph but they are easy to fit simple to realign plus looks like the Ducks Guts111
Cheers Theo Z...................

[artyfartymarty]

Very nice Theo.
pictures like that make it so tempting to go down the flappers route.

[(AUST)Mod]

I have run them, had them explode and fly off nearly hitting other cars and torn them off on kerbs, but I still think they are worth it.

I will be running them on my HR wagon when it is done.

I suggest importing them from Mooneyes USA as they are much cheaper than the locally available ones. May as well take advantage of the strong Aussie too!

[thropzed]

Arty, Heres another pic from a different angle and with no guard

Cheers Theo Z..........................

[Brodie]

I suggest importing them from Mooneyes USA as they are much cheaper than the locally available ones. May as well take advantage of the strong Aussie too!

x2 if you choose to go that route..
http://www.mooneyesusa.com/white-walls-p-1870.html
$15 each.. so even with shipping etc you'd still save yourself 70-80 bucks compared to buying locally.


As Jake said, Antique Tyres will engrave whitewalls.. i think its around 30 or 40 bucks a tyre.

[vintageholden]

i have a new set for sale here in w.a
pm sent to artyfarty..


http://www.oldworldlamps.net/Portawalls.htm