Tires or Tyres

[Deleted User]

I’ve had to cut the old tires off of the Scott I am restoring and I have had no luck doing searches for 26 x 3.00 tires for my bike. I’d like to have tires for a roadrace track and not the dirt block style that I have been finding.

Could anyone point the way to a manufacturer?

Also, as I am having a bit of trouble identifying the exact year of my machine. Can I send in my member application without the year and model which I am now suspect of?
Hopefully some of you will be able to help me identify it and I can submit that at a later date?

Thank you,

Scott

[Deleted User]

Hi Scott,

Would it be possible to post a picture of the bike? That might help all the experts here to identify. If you do not have webspace you can email me (info at flyingsquirrel dot nl)the picture(s) and I will put them online for you.

Erik

[Deleted User]

Thank you for your reply Erik.

https://www.scottownersclub.org/Images/1929sportssquirrel_lakeland_1998.JPG

My machine is identical to the one in the link to your galleries. It has the covers for the gears but is missing the mudguards and a few minor pieces.

Unfortunately I was in too much of a hurry to take the bike down yesterday (the wife has a new puppy and had to have the camera) so I was remiss as to taking photos of the machine complete. It is now down to the frame.

For years my father had told me it was a TT model. I think I need to burst his bubble unless you know something I am missing. Also my partner in the project thinks we have a 2 speed and that it is earlier then the 27 I thought it might be. I based my opinion mainly on the wheel base, 56″ and the engine number, Y8891

I spent nearly three hours on line last evening looking for tires and found none.

Any information is greatly appreciated.

Scott

[Deleted User]

Sorry, double reply.

[Deleted User]

@BHBlacky wrote:

Also my partner in the project thinks we have a 2 speed and that it is earlier then the 27 I thought it might be.

Being a two speeder or not should be easy recognisable by the right hand gearpedal.

The only tyres I can find are of the block type like:

Dunlop

or

Coker

But aren’t those old type (beades edge) tyres measured over the OD of the tyre instead of the rim? I cannot find it right now but I thought it was possible to fit more modern size tyres on these old rims. There must be a conversiontable somewhere on the net… But maybe I am wrong entirely. I am sure someone here will know!

[Deleted User]

Erik, how would I be able to tell by the gearshift?

As to the tires, let’s hope so. I will measure the rims themselves and wait for a reply as to the conversion tables, if any.

I’m a bit of an amateur with the camera but I’ll take some photos of the various components and see if the wife can put them up for me.

Scott

[Deleted User]

Well, a twospeeder has gear footpedal on the RH side to select high or low gear. The threespeeder either has a gate change on the tank or a foot change (bit that was mid thirties).

Two speed:

Three speed

There is one other type with a very long gearlever (three speed Squirrel???) but I do not have picture of this one.

[lewis onions]

Hello Scott,

I have been watching your postings with interest. John Underhill is the club registrar and he will be able to identify your bike for you properly (unfortunately he is not contactable over the net).

However, I now own the 2 Speed Sports Squirrel which is in the picture you linked in one of your messages. It is nearing (!!) completion of a rebuild. My bike’s frame number is 2856 and te engine number Y2178A both of which have been confirmed as 1929 items (although not necessarily a matching combination).

I think (and someone will correct me if I am wrong) that all of the Scott works records except those for 1928/9 are with the Vintage Motor Cycle Club’s libraray in Burton on Trent. Members are able to attend and view them and also might receive (without a personal visit) a validataion certificate with a lot more information – such as dispatch date, type of magneto and carb. and dealer’s details. You might like to approach them.

I think that your bike is earlier than mine. The Y pre-fix applied to standard and Super Squirrel 596 engines (the 1929 sports squirrels were all Supers – I think). The number you have is a 1926 sequence engine so best guess is that it is a standard 1926 596 engine.

Frames are more difficult to date as they did not leave the factory in sequence. However I am aware that 773 is a 1925 frame . Yours might well be 1926.

The Sports Squirrel was a late addition to the 1929 catalogue (it did not appear in the catalogue at all in Autumn 1928). It’s only real difference from a 2 Speed Super Squirrel was the “Sports ” tank which I think was available separately before 1928 in any event. Yours might have an early sports tank or a later addition.

Finally, Al Perry in New York has a 1930 2 Speed Sports and might be listening in. He helped me with measurements for repairs to my tank – but I know that he is the other end of your Country!

Finally, finally see my postings earlier regarding 20″ tyres. Avon still make the ribbed (raher than blocked) tyres you seem to need for racing. They should be readily available in the States – otherwise let me know and I can source some here for you.

Happy Scotting !

[lewis onions]

Hello Scott,

I have been watching your postings with interest. John Underhill is the club registrar and he will be able to identify your bike for you properly (unfortunately he is not contactable over the net).

However, I now own the 2 Speed Sports Squirrel which is in the picture you linked in one of your messages. It is nearing (!!) completion of a rebuild. My bike’s frame number is 2856 and te engine number Y2178A both of which have been confirmed as 1929 items (although not necessarily a matching combination).

I think (and someone will correct me if I am wrong) that all of the Scott works records except those for 1928/9 are with the Vintage Motor Cycle Club’s libraray in Burton on Trent. Members are able to attend and view them and also might receive (without a personal visit) a validataion certificate with a lot more information – such as dispatch date, type of magneto and carb. and dealer’s details. You might like to approach them.

I think that your bike is earlier than mine. The Y pre-fix applied to standard and Super Squirrel 596 engines (the 1929 sports squirrels were all Supers – I think). The number you have is a 1926 sequence engine so best guess is that it is a standard 1926 596 engine.

Frames are more difficult to date as they did not leave the factory in sequence. However I am aware that 773 is a 1925 frame . Yours might well be 1926.

The Sports Squirrel was a late addition to the 1929 catalogue (it did not appear in the catalogue at all in Autumn 1928). It’s only real difference from a 2 Speed Super Squirrel was the “Sports ” tank which I think was available separately before 1928 in any event. Yours might have an early sports tank or a later addition.

Finally, Al Perry in New York has a 1930 2 Speed Sports and might be listening in. He helped me with measurements for repairs to my tank – but I know that he is the other end of your Country!

Finally, finally see my postings earlier regarding 20″ tyres. Avon still make the ribbed (raher than blocked) tyres you seem to need for racing. They should be readily available in the States – otherwise let me know and I can source some here for you.

Happy Scotting !

[lewis onions]

Hello Scott,

I have been watching your postings with interest. John Underhill is the club registrar and he will be able to identify your bike for you properly (unfortunately he is not contactable over the net).

However, I now own the 2 Speed Sports Squirrel which is in the picture you linked in one of your messages. It is nearing (!!) completion of a rebuild. My bike’s frame number is 2856 and te engine number Y2178A both of which have been confirmed as 1929 items (although not necessarily a matching combination).

I think (and someone will correct me if I am wrong) that all of the Scott works records except those for 1928/9 are with the Vintage Motor Cycle Club’s libraray in Burton on Trent. Members are able to attend and view them and also might receive (without a personal visit) a validataion certificate with a lot more information – such as dispatch date, type of magneto and carb. and dealer’s details. You might like to approach them.

I think that your bike is earlier than mine. The Y pre-fix applied to standard and Super Squirrel 596 engines (the 1929 sports squirrels were all Supers – I think). The number you have is a 1926 sequence engine so best guess is that it is a standard 1926 596 engine.

Frames are more difficult to date as they did not leave the factory in sequence. However I am aware that 773 is a 1925 frame . Yours might well be 1926.

The Sports Squirrel was a late addition to the 1929 catalogue (it did not appear in the catalogue at all in Autumn 1928). It’s only real difference from a 2 Speed Super Squirrel was the “Sports ” tank which I think was available separately before 1928 in any event. Yours might have an early sports tank or a later addition.

Finally, Al Perry in New York has a 1930 2 Speed Sports and might be listening in. He helped me with measurements for repairs to my tank – but I know that he is the other end of your Country!

Finally, finally see my postings earlier regarding 20″ tyres. Avon still make the ribbed (raher than blocked) tyres you seem to need for racing. They should be readily available in the States – otherwise let me know and I can source some here for you.

Happy Scotting !

[Deleted User]

Lewis, you’re one up on me. I only posted the same response twice.

I responded to your identical response in my identification post.

Eric, I just returned from video’ing the pieces which I hope to put on a web page and create a link to.
Definetly the two speed.

Also, thanks to measureing and you fellas helping, I can now find the proper tire. Rings etc can wait till I am officialy a member as we haven’t taken the motor down yet. I’d rather have the frame rolling first. Bit by bit. Funds permitting.

Overall we are very pleased with the condition. Every nut and bolt came off with no problems. Pistons were lubeed when stored and are still. Compression felt very good but we will replace the rings once we get the top end off and check specs.

Thanks much.

Scott

[Deleted User]

If your tires were 26×3 beaded edge (Clincher/Wulst), you cannot put more modern straight side or well-base tires on without installing new and different rims, which would be a pity. If you have sufficient air pressure in beaded edge tires they behave very well. I have seen Bugattis win on the Silverstone circuit with beaded edge tires with a quite coarse chevron type thread.

A 26×3 clincher tire will fit on a 20″ beaded edge rim. No other tire (except perhaps 27 x 3.85) will fit. The Coker tire will be OK for touring use, and probably also on the track. The Dunlop thread is not bad either, I have used the same thread on 28×3 tires on Harleys from the early 20s with no problems. The only problem with beaded edge rims is corrosion. If the rim edge is corroded, it may be very sharp – like a knife – and cause damage to the tire and punctures. Too low pressure may also cause the tube to move about and cut the valve stem.

However, I wish you luck with your project!

Kind regards,

Carl

[Deleted User]

Carl, my rims are in excellent shape and I intend to keep them. The problem is finding tires.

The actual diameter measurement is 21″ but I am assuming it is a 20″ rim. The 26 x 3 tires are not only hard to find, it is impossible so far to find anything other then block tires which are unacceptable.

I have looked at the 20″ x 3.00 and 3.25 but find the same situation.

I did a search for Avon tires but that didn’t work for me also. If you have resources in the U.K. for these tires I’d be interested. Time better spent working on the mechanical end then here on the Internet.

The tires I removed were Firestone up front and Goodyear in the rear. I doubt I’d find any in those brands that were not dry rotted. I need real tires to pass tech inspection.

No other tire (except perhaps 27 x 3.85) will fit.

This intrigues me as to sizes.

If I am understanding things the old clincher tires went by the diameter of the tire itself and not the diameter of the rim??????????

Just confuses me more as I have a lot to learn but I’ll get there, with your help, thank you!

Scott

[Deleted User]

Another question if you don’t mind,

Lighting?

If at all possible I’d like to light the machine up and register it for a spin just to turn heads. Are the correct period lighting available?(I’ve submitted my application, would just like to know for the time being. It’s hard to be patient)

I’ve had mag run lighting before so I know the downside. I’m sure I can rig a battery over the mag to pass inspection if need be. I won’t be riding at night at any rate.

Scott

[Deleted User]

Hi Scott

Clincher tires are measured by total outside diameter. Nominally, a 26×3 tire has a 26″ outer diameter, and a 3″ cross section (and a 3″ distance from rim to surface of tire). Whether you like it or not, you will have to use one of the tires available. I will suggest to use one of the tires offered by Coker, the 26×3 Simplex Cycle Blackwall tire. The thread is a classic type motorcycle thread, and you should be able to use it for any purpose without problems. You will find the Simplex tire on Coker’s Motorcycle tire list.

Kind regards,

Carl

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