Avon (Cooper tire) to be bought by Goodyear

[TouringComet]

Goodyear is buying Cooper Tire and Rubber, owner of Avon Tyres.

 

[LoneStar]

I hope some cost accountant at Goodyear doesn't start looking into the economics of producing batches of 3.00-20 Speedmaster tyres...

 

[Peter Holmes]

That could be very bad news, if the 300-20 doesn't turn in a profit, but also don't forget the 3.50-19 and the more modern 19inch rear tyres Avon produce, as far as I can see there little else available for a 19inch rear rim.

 

[Bill Thomas]

Eric on the Forum, Showed us a photo of His front tyre,
" Heidenau " Ribbed 19" I think ?,
Looked good to me, I think a Vincent steers nice with a Ribbed Front,
Not sure if they can be bought in UK.

 

[Nulli Secundus]

Could be bad news on the race compound Avon tyres as well, especially the classic/vintage sizes.

 

[Sakura]

Accountants know the cost of everything and the value of nothing!

 

[bmetcalf]

This has some ideas: https://www.vincentownersclub.co.uk/threads/buying-tyres-for-rapide.13129/#post-121457

 

[ClassicBiker]

Oh my, this could explain things. I have Avon AM26s on my Shadow, my 1966 Triumph Trophy 650, and my 1972 Triumph Daytona 500. I like the way the bikes feel and handle with these. Late last year I started to recommission another '70s Triumph Daytona 500 I have had for quite some time. I went to buy AM26s in 3.25x19 for the front and 4.00x18 for the rear, none were to be had anywhere. I even went looking for the close metric equivalents, but couldn't find any in stock. I finally settled for a set of Michelin Pilot Activs, to keep moving forward. With a few more Triumphs in need of new rubber this could be a bit of a problem.

 

[Simon Dinsdale]

AM26 3.25x19" currently available in UK (sorry I know you are in USA ClassicBiker):

Avon AM26 Roadrider - Tyres

With its ‘arc’ style tread pattern, Avon’s Roadrider looks more up to date than many of the tyre designs offered here, and indeed its construction and materials are very modern. However, Avon designed this tyre as a performance upgrade for classic and vintage motorcycles. This means that this...

www.vintagetyres.com

Speedmaster ribber 3.00x20" also currently available in UK:

Avon Speedmaster Ribbed - Tyres

Avon’s Speedmaster is the company’s classic ribbed front crossply tyre. Usually fitted as a pair with the company’s block tread Safety Mileage rear tyres, the Speedmaster is the default choice for post-war British bikes from the classic period. It has been in continuous production from those...

www.vintagetyres.com

Thats now, as for the future - who knows.

Simon

 

[Graham Smith]

And if you ever go to a pub quiz (I don't), and the question comes up - who is the biggest manufacturer of tyres in the world?

Don't Google it - that's cheating.

 

[vibrac]

The way the market for 20" tires and other low volume tires works (I was told) is that a distributor with a lot of clout orders a batch from the manufacturer and then sells them at a hansom profit which is why there are ripples of panic when people find that tire is not advertised on Avons/coopers web site however if you look at the distributors site and there they are.
So my guess is we need to keep an eye on are the tire moulds, thats where the key to further production is, there are plenty of low volume tyre manufacturers around their quality is another thing.
What did I say earlier in the week? Avon still sponsors the Landsdowne race series......

 

[Simon Dinsdale]

And if you ever go to a pub quiz (I don't), and the question comes up - who is the biggest manufacturer of tyres in the world?

Don't Google it - that's cheating.

I heard this question on a TV quiz last year and they claimed the answer was Lego. The question asked tyres, not specifically vehicle tyres.
No I didn't Google it, but I will do now just to check.

 

[Graham Smith]

the answer was Lego.

Correct.

 

[Colin]

Do you now get a new tyre in 50 pieces and put it together yourself?

 

[Nulli Secundus]

Do you now get a new tyre in 50 pieces and put it together yourself?

Don't think so, but if you run it down to the carcass it may well end up in 50 pieces.

 

[Michael Vane-Hunt]

Don't think so, but if you run it down to the carcass it may well end up in 50 pieces.

So may you!

 

[davidd]

Avon racing in the US already says no racing tires in the US.

David