Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

I suffer from severe "deferred maintenance" when it comes to my roadster. The Hankook R-S3 tires I have been running were almost down the cords yet I still continued to drive on them...in wet conditions.

After driving a 240z with Toyo RA-1s I was sold, but they don't make a 205/45/16 size. I did not want to run the R888(R) or similar semi-slick on the street and ended up getting the Toyo R1R.



Here are the old Hankooks next to the fresh Toyo's. The Hankooks served me well with about 9,200 miles of driving.



I've only had the R1Rs for two weeks, but my quick blasts up in the canyons left me smiling.


There are few track days scheduled in 2021 I'm excited to see how they feel.

Don't worry about your deferred maintenance. When you say down to the cord, the two used ones look like you aren't down to the wear bars yet.
The problem I have on my non-Datsun is the rubber getting hard with age. At seven years old with my 225/50-18s in the rain, I started spinning the tires leaving stops even though they have 50% tread left. Guess I have to drive more or buy more.

I do love the feel of new tires.

Very cool, Alvin. I may add these to my tire shortlist. I've been looking at Continental ExtremeContact Sport in a 205/50/15 and also considering the Pirelli Cinturato line of classic tires from Lucas Classic Tires. With my stock 2000 I kind of like the period style tire compared to the more modern, square lipped summer tires. 

In any case, the Toyos look great. New tire day is always fun.

How "hard" is it to turn the steering wheel when slow?

eye wrote: Tue Jan 12, 2021 3:52 pm How "hard" is it to turn the steering wheel when slow?

Great question. Short answer: not hard at all.

Not something I've thought about in my roadster, but since I have Sora next to it in the garage I thought why not see for myself.

Sora has a stock steering wheel and 185/70/14 tires/stock wheels.

The 205/45/16 tires with my 350mm Momo steering wheel requires 10% more effort than Sora while sitting still.
Not the best comparison I know.

I will say this: I've never considered or found the need for power steering in this car. The S30/240z cars with larger wheel/tires (like 225/50/16) absolutely benefit from power steering at low speed.

Thanks for the reply. Running the same tires and haven't had "Pearl" out yet. It just seems a little hard to turn sitting in garage. Can always go to a larger steering wheel if needed.
Thanks again

The S30/240z cars with larger wheel/tires (like 225/50/16) absolutely benefit from power steering at low speed.

240Z's don't have power steering. Only vacuum assist brakes. But they do have rack & pinion steering which provides a different feel than the steering box. I run 205's on my Z, and as long as tire pressure is above 33lbs the steering is fine. Below that it is a bit heavy at slow or no speed. My steering wheel on that car is a MOMO Race, so smaller diameter than stock.

todd lorber wrote: Wed Jan 13, 2021 2:07 pm [quoteThe S30/240z cars with larger wheel/tires (like 225/50/16) absolutely benefit from power steering at low speed.]

240Z's don't have power steering. Only vacuum assist brakes. But they do have rack & pinion steering which provides a different feel than the steering box. I run 205's on my Z, and as long as tire pressure is above 33lbs the steering is fine. Below that it is a bit heavy at slow or no speed. My steering wheel on that car is a MOMO Race, so smaller diameter than stock.
[/quote]

Yes. You can add electric power steering to the S30 with aftermarket kits. With 225s and larger it really helps.
But I'm scrawny anyway

Your car looks amazing, it seems like it is well-maintained.

What alignment specs are you running?

eye wrote: Thu Mar 11, 2021 7:15 am What alignment specs are you running?

Joe, I need to dig it up, but iirc it's -1.75 camber, 0 toe, +1.5 caster

Thanks

Happy with the R1R tires. Wore the nubs off with a few quick mountain runs

Been putting some miles on mine too. Stick like glue. 205' fronts and 225 rears. Still waiting on my alignment. All he good shops are swamped.

Alvin do you ever scrape tire on fender lip over compression bumps or hard cornering. Not a lot of clearance in pics . Thanks