28x 1 3/8 white wall tyres???

[reeva65]

Hi, wanted to ask you all, is it still possible to buy 28x 1 3/8 tyres in Fawn or white wall??
I've had a look around and all i can come up with are full black ones..

Anyone know where i could find some?

Does anyone even still make them anymore?

[ldrcycles]

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but no. The 28 x 1-3/8" size has been out of use for a very long time now, and while tyres are still available the selection is about as limited as it gets.

If you really want white or gum wall tyres the options are either painting the black ones (which may or may not work) or switching to 28 x 1-1/2" which is still used on bikes made in India and China and so has a greater selection of tyres and rims available. Even those aren't exactly common though, so you could look at going to 27" which increases your choices by at least an order of magnitude.

[reeva65]

Thanks for your reply.. Do you think there is even a market for these tyres?
I mean there are loads of old bike out there that would look great with original styles of tyre.

[ldrcycles]

In terms of the sort of bikes that were fitted with 642mm rims (28x1-3/8", the other 28" size is 635mm) i'd say no, or to be more specific, the market is there but very small. There aren't all that many of those bikes left now, especially compared to 70s or 80s bikes, and there are nowhere near as many people interested in them. Part of that is the difficulty of sourcing period correct parts, and period correct parts are hard to find because not many people are interested in them and so on and so forth.

For more modern bikes with 27" or 700C wheels gumwall and whitewall tyres are readily available, and they definitely look a heck of a lot better, my 1981 Mercier has gumwalls.

Worth bearing in mind though that all black tyres are period correct too.

[feelthewheel]

I remember seeing a set of original 28 x 1 3/8's in red, shown to me by a private collector (on a bicycle they wouldn't sell me - poo). They were completely unrideable but would have looked amazing when new.

Surely there's enough of a worldwide vintage cycling fraternity/vintage bicycle specialist demand to produce a limited run of fawn or red colour in this size? Any chemical engineers in this forum who know the mechanics of colouring moulded rubber?

[ldrcycles]

Clydesdale Scot may have some insight- viewtopic.php?f=23&t=59137&hilit=shockstop" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Clydesdale Scot]

I'd be working my way through the car forums; getting the best recommendations for the paint used for the tyre sidewalls
http://www.ebay.com/bhp/white-wall-tire-paint" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/show ... rylon+tire" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

and trying it out on old tyres.
In doing it, you need to take lots of photos, and then write it up and post on here so others can see how obsessive you are.

[feelthewheel]

Did a bit of websearch and found this site:

http://www.junkyrustybikes.co/shop/26x1 ... rettyPhoto" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Have sent off a message asking if they were considering making coloured 28 x 1 3/8's, will let everyone know if a response is forthcoming ... cross fingers!

[Clydesdale Scot]

Looking at the Sheldon Brown tyre sizes page 28x 1 3/8 is not to be found.
considering the effort required to make a mould, and no potential way of recouping the upfront costs...
I think the answer will be 'no'

[Torana68]

28 x 1 3/8 isn't there cause it was never sold in the US ("never" perhaps they did but it would have been long long ago and it was a French size) the tyres are made in Asia, contact either the maker or Australian importer. Bike shops are probably a waste of time for such a request.

[feelthewheel]

This seems to be the page needed. Everyone got their Dutch on?

http://halfords.nl/catalogus/fiets/fiet ... age/1.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[feelthewheel]

And a bit more ...

http://en.hollandbikeshop.com/deli-tire/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://lovelybike.blogspot.com.au/2010/ ... ctory.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://classic-cycle.de/en/Tires-Tubes-and-Supplies/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If only the Fat Frank (in brown) listed on the German website came in a 28 x 1 3/8!! Now that would make for a merry Christmas!

[Torana68]

Schwalbe dont make a 28 x 1 3/8 (as fited to Oz bikes) you need to use the rim size 642 or French size 700A and ignore all the numbers and x's try my previous advice its correct and the only available option, there is no easy google fix
Clydesdale Scot are you a member of the HAMB? (just looking at one of your links there)

[Clydesdale Scot]

Clydesdale Scot are you a member of the HAMB? (just looking at one of your links there)

no, that would be certain divorce!
But I do appreciate their handcrafted approach.

[Torana68]

Clydesdale Scot are you a member of the HAMB? (just looking at one of your links there)

no, that would be certain divorce!
But I do appreciate their handcrafted approach.

ah well, there are a few about here and there, its not the place for a "restorer" though

[scratchman]

Clydesdale Scot are you a member of the HAMB? (just looking at one of your links there)

no, that would be certain divorce!
But I do appreciate their handcrafted approach.

ah well, there are a few about here and there, its not the place for a "restorer" though

ad me to that list, also ozrodders ( like you ), there are quite a few guys into old cars and pushbikes

[Torana68]

ad me to that list, also ozrodders ( like you ), there are quite a few guys into old cars and pushbikes[/quote]

Shhhhhh! lets keep that our little secret

[petra87]

could grab a pair of black tyres off ebay and give this a go http://www.badpennycustoms.com.au/zen/i ... cts_id=248" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[ldrcycles]

could grab a pair of black tyres off ebay and give this a go http://www.badpennycustoms.com.au/zen/i ... cts_id=248" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Only thing is they recommend the tyres be used for 6-12 months before painting as they leech chemicals when new, who gets tyres to last that long?