[Ashley2]

Originally Posted by BaCkSeAtDrIVeR

Raj, if the tyres are not in stock with AL, will they be available aftermarket for replacement?

There is a high shortage of supply for tyres.
Both TML and ALL are hugely affected with this and they are tend to pass the vahicles without inner tyres in rear axles till their RSO's and later they are fitting there.
But now this situation is improving, though not to full extent.
http://logisticsweek.com/road/2010/0...supply-crunch/

[vigneshram]

I have travelled by both Prakash and Veera AC coaches.though both are good,i have a fancy for the exterior design of the Veera.very good in deed.You have two buses from Prakash,so why not Veera AC this time.I suppose that even they are based in Bangy.

[raj_5004]

Too late. We have already given the advance to Prakash.

Moreover, we want all our buses to look the same with identical paint job too, hence we are opting for Prakash again.

[Transsenger]

AL has started supplying new model Cheetah & Viking chassis with "Bonnet gear" and new instrument cluster. Hope your chassis would be of same type.
(the below small image of new AL Cheetah chassis with bonnet gear - gear lever on top of the engine bonnet, similar to TML)

[BaCkSeAtDrIVeR]

Transsenger - I am not sure what exactly you mean, (the pic is not clear for me), but AL has gear on side type chassis at least since 1986/7.

And gear on bonnet is not really an innovation. We used to have a Fargo with gear shift lever on the bonnet. It was sold in 1977/8.

[Transsenger]

Originally Posted by BaCkSeAtDrIVeR

Transsenger - I am not sure what exactly you mean, (the pic is not clear for me), but AL has gear on side type chassis at least since 1986/7.

And gear on bonnet is not really an innovation. We used to have a Fargo with gear shift lever on the bonnet. It was sold in 1977/8.

Sorry for poor image. I did not say its an innovation. Its only a product modification. AL used to have this type of gear on its trucks as early as 1980s. From 2005 they made it as standard fitment on all truck model. Now they have introduced it in buses also.Notice the new type instrument cluster. (Please check this image. Source: Binai Sankar @ Picasa Web Albums - Binai Sankar - Kerala Octobe...)

[raj_5004]

We have already ordered our chassis today. Delivery would be on 22nd. Hope we get the new positioned gear lever & instrument console.

We waited for so long just to get 10" Radial tyres but that was not available. finally we had to settle for a chassis (they had just one left) with 10" Nylon tyres. we booked that. all the others had 9" tyres.

[julupani]

Are any chassis on offer by either TML or ALL offer 11.5R tyres???

[Transsenger]

Originally Posted by julupani

Are any chassis on offer by either TML or ALL offer 11.5R tyres???

AFAIK, the Panther & Titan from AL comes with 11.5R tyres. And in TML, may be Marcopolo 1623 etc.


@ Raj...check you can get the tyres changed to radial immediately after delivery from some tyre dealers like Global, New Bharat etc.

[raj_5004]

Bus delivered today with 10" Nylon tyres. Going to TVS maybe tomorrow to get rear air suspension fitted.

[silversteed]

Congrats, Raj. Hey, when are you going to have him (Viking, so it should a HE, right?) shod in Radials? Did you get the newer instrument console and bonnet and gear-lever?

Awaiting pics :-)

[raj_5004]

I am in mumbai & would be seeing the chassis in bangalore at Prakash. So i would update on the specs & pics then.

I dont think we are getting these tyres exchanged with Radials. I want these to be worn out first & then, instead of re-treading, we will buy new radials.

[BaCkSeAtDrIVeR]

raj, a better option will be replace the rear wheels with radials right away. Keep nylons in front. (spares would be a problem).

Use the new tyres on the front wheels of the other buses.

[raj_5004]

Is it so important to have radials? whats the disadvantage of having nylon tyres? and why radials on rear tyres & nylons on front?

We cant use these tyres on our older buses as these are 10" & our older buses have 9" tyres.

[BaCkSeAtDrIVeR]

Originally Posted by raj_5004

Is it so important to have radials?

Frankly, dunno. Somebody advised you here to go for radials, and you mentioned that you were insisting on radials Thought that you have done your homework.

To be brutally frank, the customer would not care.

whats the disadvantage of having nylon tyres?

Same as in cars. Why do we use radials on our cars? Because that is what comes factory fitted.

Why do we not use cross ply (that is the correct term, IIRC)? Because cars no longer come factory fitted with them.

Why do commercial vehicles continue to use cross ply rather than radials? Because the radial option costs more.

[quote]and why radials on rear tyres & nylons on front?

A pair each for front of each of your other buses, that is what I had in mind. Did not know this part:-

We cant use these tyres on our older buses as these are 10" & our older buses have 9" tyres.

But, after posting, I realised that the set would not have yet worn out on the other buses.

BTW, ever considered up-sizing the tyres on the other buses? No, I am not recommending, just asked if it is possible.

We used to upgrade tyres on our buses. I am not sure of the exact details, but here is how we used to do it. Tyres come with a "ply rating" - number of layers of cloth or "ply". IIRC, they used to come in 14, 16 and 18 PR (nor sure of the exact details, my memory fails me now). Buses came with least PR.

We always got the tyres with highest PR, since they lasted more - both the original tread, and number of retreads. Sometimes, up to 5 times. Tyres with higher PR were intended for trucks. Obviously, on radials, concept of PR does not apply.