A beautiful accessory that greatly enhances the look of a classic vehicle for little money and evokes the era of these cars. The inserts can also be fitted to alloy wheels, but check that the bead seat has no sharp edge. Some alloy wheels have an edge in this area that could pinch the insert and cause it to fall off. You must also observe a maximum speed of 120 km/h.
The inserts naturally have a limited service life. A permanent solution is the more expensive original-style whitewall tires in another section.
Available sizes
- Wide white insert: 5 cm, for 8–16" rims.
- Wide black-and-white insert: 2 + 3 cm, for 13–16" rims.
- Narrow white insert: 3 cm, for 16–19" rims.
- Extra-wide white insert: 8.5 cm, for 14–15" rims.
USA white-rubber preservative spray
We recommend it: it protects against yellowing, cleans, and even removes some existing yellowing. So far, it is the only preservative of this kind known to us. Do not use other common chemicals, including products for plastics and rubber! If necessary, use only cleaning benzine or water with dishwashing detergent.
Choosing the insert type
Choose type A, B, or D according to your taste. Types A and D are usually sold for older cars such as the Spartak, while type B is used for more modern cars such as the Š 100. Type C is usually sold for motorcycles, but A or B can be chosen for large tires, including scooter tires (“It simply has to fit”).
The inserts can also be used on tubeless tires, although we have no personal experience with this. In any case, such tires can be fitted with conventional inner tubes. The inserts perform their function reliably for relatively little money. The fact is that they yellow after several years in the sun; the instructions describe measures that delay aging.
Installation and maintenance
- During installation, do not use tire-mounting lubricant between the insert, tire, and rim. The lubricant used by tire shops to make tire fitting easier would cause the insert to slip out.
- We recommend using inner tubes even with tubeless tires. Tubeless tires inflate too quickly, which complicates installation of the insert; it must be installed slowly.
- Remove the wheel from the vehicle.
- Deflate the tire.
- Break the tire bead away from the rim so that the tire is loose.
- Clean the tire sidewall with cleaning benzine. This prevents dirt and yellowing along the edge of the white insert.
- Check that the rim is not damaged and has no sharp edges that could tear the insert.
- Wash your hands, lay the dry wheel on the ground, and gradually fit the insert around the entire circumference until it is seated. Do not stretch the inserts with any tools!
- Repeat the seating process several times around the wheel, now using only the palm of your hand to press the insert so that it sits perfectly and evenly beneath the rim edge around the entire circumference.
- Inflate the tire very slowly and watch the process carefully. Overinflate it, then release the excess pressure.
- After installation and later in service, clean dirty inserts with our USA product; we do not recommend any other product. In an emergency, use only ordinary detergents. Do not treat the tires with rubber dressings or similar products, otherwise the black color will bleed into the white insert!
- During use, regularly apply a small amount of lubricant, such as silicone oil, where the outer edge of the insert touches the tire to reduce friction.
