Larger Wheels for bongo

[scudfield]

Just wondered if anyone can give me a simple answer to my question i have read the threads on different wheels tyres etc etc and it just confuses me lol . The mpg is bad on the bongos so i want to put bigger wheels on to help increase the mpg not bothered about speedo readings etc ,
So is there any readily available wheels / tyres about that i could use ???

Thanks in advance
Al

[francophile1947]

Not sure about the improved consumption Yes, the gearing will be higher, so your engine will have to work harder to get to speed and top gear may not be selected so early - just try pedalling your bike in a high gear at low speed - ruddy hard work
BTW, an under-reading speedo is not just inconvenient, it's actually illegal.
I have 17" wheels, but with a lower profile tyre, so that the overall circumference is the same(ish)

[mikeonb4c]

Just wondered if anyone can give me a simple answer to my question i have read the threads on different wheels tyres etc etc and it just confuses me lol . The mpg is bad on the bongos so i want to put bigger wheels on to help increase the mpg not bothered about speedo readings etc ,
So is there any readily available wheels / tyres about that i could use ???

Thanks in advance
Al

I think along similar lines and have thought about going for oversize tyres/wheels. Pioneering BF member Torchwood (long off the scene) achieved 40mpg in a Bongo. He did many things in order to achieve it but the biggest single improvement was when he fitted oversize Rav4 (I think) wheels to the rear axle of his 2WD (don't try it on a 4WD as you'll stuff the transmission). The Rav4 wheels needed modding to fit, but it worked and the Bongo looked rather cool being kicked up a bit at the back. There may be cornering/handling (and insurance) issues though. Also, as Franco (John) says, you might not see the difference in a situation where you are stopping and starting in town, or driving over hill and dale, because the box will just shift down that much more easily against the backload, losing you the advantage (2 tons has to be moved and needs energy to do it, never mind big or small wheels). Where you get the advantage I think is on long distance cruising on open roads and no more than gentle inclines, where the revs can be kept lower for a given speed and any (otherwise wasted) excess of diesel torque can be put to work.

[helen&tony]

Hi
Here you are, then, Mike....
http://www.petershepherdtyres.co.uk/usedtyres.html
Plenty of tread, and lots of MPG....
You may need a Bongo Stepladder to get in
Cheers
Helen

[scudfield]

Thanks for your help , will have too look into the difference in the Rav 4 wheels to std.

[mikeonb4c]

Thanks for your help , will have too look into the difference in the Rav 4 wheels to std.

Another option, used by Russian Bongo owners, is to fit oversize tyres. They did have some pics on their website way back when.