1985 Big Red 250es Build ===!!!!FINISHED!!!!===

[Stonewall]

I'm kinda with you are on that one Thorpe...Sorry, but I think your theory is a bit flawed Stonewall

The V running in the same direction as your drive wheels also helps with directional side slip as you are turning..meaning the side of the V in the tread is at a 90' angle to your turn allowing more surface contact area in the direction the tire would want to slip.

I hope I explained that right..

Therefore, running the tire in reverse like that will take away from corning traction causing your tread to side slip more!!

With all due respect, NO.

I understand your theory, but the lugs are still at the same angle to the foreward motion, just on the opposite side of the tire.

As explained in my previous post, this is a prooven theory that has been in use for many many years.

[dougspcs]

The difference is minimal if any at all..but I still will keep my steering tires pointed in the direction they are.

I respect your theory and opinion and the job you're doing on that BR is 1st rate!!

I'd be afraid to ride it if mine were that clean!!

[mullet]

Not picking sides in the tread direction argument, but I will say that I have noticed the tread point "backwards" on farm equipment before. I always thought it was because someone put the tire on backwards, but after reading stonewalls comments, perhaps it was intentional...

Awesome job on the re-store man! I wish I had the skills and ambition (and money) to do this to one of my BR's. Can't wait to see it finished.

[Stonewall]

Not picking sides in the tread direction argument, but I will say that I have noticed the tread point "backwards" on farm equipment before. I always thought it was because someone put the tire on backwards, but after reading stonewalls comments, perhaps it was intentional...

Awesome job on the re-store man! I wish I had the skills and ambition (and money) to do this to one of my BR's. Can't wait to see it finished.

I KNOW it's intentional. We OWN equipment with tires intentionally put on "backwards" for the very reason I explained before. I'm not trying to start a fight with the tread direction thing, just show that I'm not full of . It is a real thing, and it does make a difference here.

Thanks for all the great comments on the build!!!! It's great to see how y'all appreciate my work!

[Thorpe]

Does the backward tread still work the same, when there is little weight on the front? A heavy tractor, or trailer is obviously way different than a trike... (Don't get me wrong, you can mount your tire anyway you choose... And MN mud isn't too gumbo like)

[Stonewall]

Does the backward tread still work the same, when there is little weight on the front? A heavy tractor, or trailer is obviously way different than a trike... (Don't get me wrong, you can mount your tire anesthesia you choose... And MM mud isn't too funniest like)

Too an extent, yes. Of course it's not going to work as well as on a grain cart or tractor, but it does help. It also helps to prevent the front tire from locking up and pushing up a mound of mud in front of you.

The front tire carries more weight that you'd think, because when you're moving foreward, all of your momentum focuses on the single front wheel.

[Thorpe]

Not if your doing it right! Front end in the air!! Our mud up here is usually more soupy than sticky, so balling a tire up doesn't happen too often...

[Stonewall]

Lol, that's the way to do it!

Down here the mud is real sticky, so we have to do what we can to keep the front tire rolling.
The ATC 70/90/110/125/185 fork extensions were invented for this purpose.

As far as updates on the build for today, not much. I took some steel wool to the handlebar mounts and shined them up, and that's about it. Homework to do now

[atc007]

Damn it!!! I saw you posted and was hoping for my BR fix for the night!! Someone else build up one of these!! I love em. ohh yeah,,as a PA farmer,,he's right on the treads. Much less critical in the North though,,watery mud.

[Stonewall]

Yeah, progress is kinda slow during the week; college is more important. (only slightly)

[Hair Bear Bunch]

Off topic but just adding to the tyre debate...
Astheticly, yes run it facing forwards it looks better.
Logically, run it backwards. If the back tyres are set up for grip to propell you forwards, then a rearward facing front tyre will naturally give you better grip when the weight transfers to the front under braking.
Over here we have machines called Unimogs (apologies if you have them there!) which are best described as a large 4x4 pickup truck with 3 point tractor linkage. These mad things can weigh over 5 tons, manage over 60 mph and with a 32 speed trans can be used as a tractor for field work. When used for heavy draft work all wheels point forwards, but for better braking at other times we swap the front wheels over so they face backwards.

[mullet]

It looks like that front wheel centered up pretty nice! Did you have to add any spacers?

[Stonewall]

It looks like that front wheel centered up pretty nice! Did you have to add any spacers?

Nope, no spacers. Just a 2+5 offset. It's off center maybe 1/4-1/2"; I put them on my BR to see if it made any difference, and it handles just fine. You have to look real close to see that its off center anyway.

[caseyr0303]

I am new to this site as this is my first post. I have to say that thing looks amazing. Probably better than it did in 85. How did you make the rear dif look so great. Is that paint? If so what kind of paint and color?

[Stonewall]

I am new to this site as this is my first post. I have to say that thing looks amazing. Probably better than it did in 85. How did you make the rear dif look so great. Is that paint? If so what kind of paint and color?

Thanks, especially for making your first post about my project! I did paint the dif, after i wire brushed the whole thing and cleaned it with acetone. I used Plasti-Kote engine enamel, the color is "207 Aluminum". I used this pretty much everywhere you see silver, becuase when properly applied, it holds up pretty good.

BTW, Welcome to the site!