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Sun Mar 15, 2015 7:49 pm

I am looking for a pair of gates commando tires or similar style to the sand blasters. if you have a couple please let me know. thanks.

Mon Mar 16, 2015 10:52 am

http://www.mickeythompsontires.com/off-road.php

Sun Mar 22, 2015 5:30 pm

Found a pair of F70-14 Gates Commando, locally.

If anyone is interested, the owner wants $200. They appear to be in great shape from the pics.

They are studded.

Check out Craigslist in the Quad Cities ( Iowa/Illinois)- search studded snow tires.

I can go look at them if you want. I'd love them on my Manx- but want something more modern.

Wed Mar 25, 2015 9:33 pm

BL3Manx, You used Gates xt Sand Command tires back in the day. What did you think of them as a tire? How do they work on different terrains? Any quirks about the rounded tread crown on hard surfaces?

Thu Mar 26, 2015 1:01 pm

The round crown type off road tires are intended to be aired down so its contact patch is fairly wide and it has higher flotation. On a buggy that means you need to run less than 15 psi. On an unpaved surface, the tread provides good traction.

Its not really intended for regular use on the highway. If you run it aired down on the pavement it'll feel a bit squirrely. If you run it with higher pressure on pavement, the center of the tread will quickly wear.

Tue May 19, 2015 8:02 pm

I have 2 gates Sand Command tires and I am thinking about swapping to something a little smaller. They are not checked or worn but I thing they were cut at some point. Not sure how to upload a pic from my phone.

Sat Jun 27, 2015 10:44 pm

This buggy has been sitting in a shed since the early 70's the owner started a resto but other things got in the way, it has brand new Gates tyres on it that have never seen the light of day since they were fitted to the rims way back then. It even has the blue dye on the whitewall to protect them.

Tue Jun 30, 2015 10:39 pm

Best, I've seen! Is that yours now?

I believe I recall seeing in the magazine ads that the Meyers Manx maker in Australia also imported Gates Commando tires

Wed Jul 01, 2015 12:42 am

No BL3Manx I wish it was mine, the owner is not very well and he doesn't know what to do with it yet. The buggy I think might be a pre-tag body as there is no ID plate in the rear, this may have been a Made Under License body from the dealer in Queensland. It is the real deal but as it has the tubes in the sides and also the block in front of the firewall section.
Now as for the tires, the word is there is a sea container with all the left over stock that the guy couldn't sell when he closed the business, because Gates were not a known brand in Australia they didn't sell to well....plus off road racing etc. wasn't that big here in the late 60's early 70's from the conversations I've had. So if I can fine the mother load of NOS Commando tires were laughing.

Wed Jul 01, 2015 7:50 am

Here's that 1972 Australian ad for the Gates tires. They were still making and selling genuine Meyers Manxes there but B.F. Meyers & Co. in the U.S. had closed in Aug 71. Hope you find the container!

Mon Mar 14, 2016 4:38 pm

Swap meet score. Not the real deal, but it doesn't get much closer to the originals as these.

Sat Aug 27, 2016 2:02 pm

Above tires with rims...

Tue Sep 06, 2016 10:33 pm

Found a set for the rear of my old Manx off road car. Match the orig fronts perfectly!