A while back I elected to change the mains to Aero Classic 21X8.00X6 - gotta say they look great.  However, this has made the nose lower because of the "Golf Cart" tire supplied by Zenith. 

I want to add a little height, uses a larger diameter tire, and level the plane. 

I figure that this will take two modifications: first re-do the gear fork (old style) and figure out what size tire will make it all come out. 

I'm lucky as the airport that I am based is really friendly with a whole lot of tires of various sizes laying around. Probably will use them as trails to get it right.  As they are actual aircraft tires they will be a little bit heaver. 

So the final question: what have the rest of you done and what is a "good" light tire and size for the application??

Still grinning!

Phil Smith

CH-70wonderful

Buhl, ID

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Don't bother, a smaller nose tire will shorten the landing roll out , that could be nice. It will not lengthen the take off distance because the nose wheel can be raised when powering up for take off. Only reason for larger nose wheel tire would be to get more prop clearance. Also keep in mind when the fork is lengthened that the forces on firewall etc will change

just my 2 cents worth

harmen

Harmen,

Tnx for your input - I still want to at least change the tire to a more robust design - anybody have some ideas??

Phil

To level things out again could you use the Aero Classic 21X8.00X6 also on your nose?  This might mean having to make a new nose fork, but if you want to do that anyhow, just make it large enough to fit the tire.  I do not think that it would add any more stress to the fire wall as the larger tire would have less rolling resistance in rough ground.  Just a thought.

Come on Folks;

Can't believe that none of you have modified the old nose fork and tire to make it more suitable with the larger main tires. I've seen some articles about this  before but wanted to throw out my request to make sure I've considered all the tried and true options before I start cutting aluminum.

Again, looking for narrative, pictures and info on mods and or the tire size used.

Still grinning.

Phil

With the tires shown and an extension to the fork, your angle of attack will remain the same as stock. Lowering the nose will induce more drag to the wing on take off roll until the wing is ready to fly. 

I'll post pictures of the fork mod, very easy, I actually cut it out off the old square style fork.

Walt 

 

With the simple extensions, your stance will be the same as stock, even with the larger tire changes. I swing a 72 in 3 blade prop, so the extra clearance was appreciated. 

Walt


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