Franklin 135 Series Tires

The Franklin 135 Series has two listed tire sizes for 1929: 31X6.20 and 650-19. The 650-19 size is a numeric bias-ply fitment for 19-inch rims, while 31X6.20 is an antique diameter-by-section size in which the code gives outside diameter and section width rather than wheel diameter.

That means a buyer should not assume the two sizes are interchangeable just because they appear under the same year. Start by identifying the wheel diameter on the car, then compare the current tires, wheel dimensions, and restoration goal so the selected size matches the actual Franklin 135 Series configuration.

On a Franklin 135 Series, 31X6.20 is an antique diameter-by-section size. The 31 refers to the tire's overall outside diameter in inches, and 6.20 refers to its nominal section width, so the wheel diameter is not stated in the size code the way it would be in a modern or later numeric format.

That old sizing convention is easy to misread if you are expecting the final number to indicate rim size. For a Franklin 135 Series wearing 31X6.20, confirm the wheel itself and compare against original restoration records before choosing a replacement, since the size code alone does not tell you which rim diameter the tire is meant to fit.

A 1929 Franklin 135 Series can show both 31X6.20 and 650-19 because two different size conventions appear under the same model year. That kind of split usually reflects a configuration difference that must be sorted out at the car level rather than by year alone.

The practical next step is to inspect the wheels already on the car and compare them with any surviving factory literature, restoration notes, or marque-club guidance tied to that exact Franklin 135 Series. Year alone is not enough here; the wheel and tire format need to agree before you settle on a replacement.

The listed Franklin 135 Series tire options are bias-ply products, and both the antique-style 31X6.20 fitment and the numeric 650-19 fitment should be treated as tube-type applications. That is consistent with late-1920s collector tire practice and with the construction type shown for the available 650-19 products.

When replacing tires on a Franklin 135 Series, plan the job as a complete wheel-service exercise rather than a simple tire swap. Tube condition, flap needs, rim condition, and wheel cleanliness all matter on an older car, especially when the goal is dependable touring, preservation, or judged restoration use.

To confirm the correct tire size for a 1929 Franklin 135 Series, begin with the actual wheel diameter and the size markings on the tires currently fitted to the car. The two listed options use different conventions, with 650-19 clearly indicating a 19-inch rim and 31X6.20 using an antique format that does not state rim diameter in the code.

After that, compare the wheel and tire information with any original handbook, restoration file, or Franklin specialist reference tied to your specific car. That approach is far more reliable than choosing by year alone, especially when a single Franklin 135 Series year can show more than one size pattern.

Franklin 135 Series tire offerings in 650-19 include both blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall styles. The available product lines cover blackwall options from Firestone, Lester, and Excelsior, along with wide whitewall versions from Firestone and Lester.

For a Franklin 135 Series restoration, sidewall choice should follow the character of the car and the period presentation you want to achieve. Blackwalls tend to suit a more understated pre-war look, while wide whitewalls create a brighter visual statement, so photos, club references, and the car's restoration history are useful guides.

Franklin 135 Series tires in the listed 650-19 size are available from Firestone, Lester, and Excelsior. Those brands appear across several period-style bias-ply product lines, including Firestone Classic Bias Ply, Firestone Balloon, Lester Classic Bias Ply, and Excelsior Comp H.

Brand selection on a Franklin 135 Series often comes down to restoration priorities as much as basic size. Some owners focus on tread style and sidewall appearance, while others want a certain series presentation, so once the size is confirmed, it makes sense to compare visual authenticity, rim-width suitability, and intended driving use.

The Franklin 135 Series listings include several distinct series in 650-19: Firestone Classic Bias Ply, Firestone Balloon, Lester Classic Bias Ply, and Excelsior Comp H. All are bias-ply offerings, but the series names indicate different period-style constructions and presentations rather than one generic tread or sidewall treatment.

That matters on a Franklin 135 Series because a restorer may be matching a particular era look as much as a raw size. Balloon-style tires can suit late-1920s visual character, while classic bias-ply lines may better fit the appearance or judging goal of a specific car, so the right choice depends on the exact restoration direction.

A Franklin 135 Series should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires kept away from direct sunlight, electric motors, ozone sources, and petroleum contamination. Clean floors, stable temperatures, and proper inflation help reduce flat spotting and sidewall stress on collector bias-ply tires.

If the Franklin 135 Series sits for long periods, move it occasionally or support it in a way that reduces prolonged loading in one contact patch. Pre-war cars benefit from gentle storage habits because their wheel, tube, and tire systems are older in design and are typically used far less often than modern daily-driven cars.

Tires on a Franklin 135 Series should be inspected before each drive and given a more thorough review several times during the season, even if the car sees limited mileage. Look for air loss, sidewall cracking, uneven wear, tread separation signs, bead issues, and any changes in how the car sits or steers.

That routine matters because collector cars often age their tires by time and storage conditions rather than by tread wear alone. A Franklin 135 Series also deserves wheel and tube checks as part of the inspection pattern, since problems inside the assembly can affect reliability long before the tread itself appears worn out.

A Franklin 135 Series should have its tires replaced when age, cracking, hardening, bulges, repeated air loss, vibration, or structural changes appear, even if tread depth still looks usable. Collector-car tires often reach the end of safe service life through age and internal deterioration rather than visible tread wear.

That rule is especially important on a pre-war Franklin 135 Series, where the driving experience depends heavily on sound tire and tube condition. Any tire of advanced age deserves careful professional evaluation, and period tires kept for display value should not automatically be treated as roadworthy simply because they still look presentable.

Franklin 135 Series listings for 1929 show both 31X6.20 and 650-19, which means more than one period-correct size path can be associated with the model year. The available replacement products in 650-19 include several bias-ply series rather than one single original-equipment pattern.

For an exact restoration, the best reference is the individual Franklin 135 Series car rather than the year name alone. Original sales literature, surviving wheel and tire markings, and marque-club guidance can help determine which size format and visual treatment belong on a particular car prepared for preservation or judging.

Correct tire fitment can absolutely affect both judging results and perceived authenticity on a Franklin 135 Series. Size, sidewall style, overall stance, and period-appropriate construction all shape how accurately the car presents, especially on a pre-war automobile where tire appearance is a major part of the finished profile.

For that reason, restorers usually treat tires as a visible authenticity item rather than a simple maintenance part. A Franklin 135 Series prepared for serious show use should have its tire choice reviewed against photos, club standards, and model-specific references so the wheel-and-tire package supports the car's historical presentation.

Franklin 135 Series offerings in 650-19 include both blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall styles, so either visual direction exists within the available pre-war style range. The correct choice for a restoration depends on the exact car, its presentation date, and whether the build is aiming for formal show appearance or a plainer touring look.

Because tires strongly influence the stance and character of a Franklin 135 Series, sidewall choice should be made alongside wheel finish, body trim, and overall restoration theme. Period photos and Franklin club resources are often the best way to decide whether blackwall restraint or whitewall presence suits the specific car.

A properly fitted modern-production bias-ply collector tire can be suitable for public-road use on a Franklin 135 Series when the tire size, wheel condition, tube setup, and overall vehicle condition are all correct. Safety depends on the complete assembly and the mechanical state of the car, not on tread appearance alone.

A pre-war Franklin 135 Series should still be driven with period-aware expectations. Steering, braking, suspension behavior, and road-holding differ markedly from modern cars, so the car deserves conservative speeds, careful route choice, and a full mechanical review before regular touring is considered.

Before driving a Franklin 135 Series, check tire inflation, visible sidewall condition, tread condition, valve stems, wheel security, and any sign of tube-related air loss. It is also wise to inspect for uneven ride height, rubbing, or contact marks that might indicate a mismatch between tire size and wheel setup.

A short pre-drive walkaround can prevent most tire-related surprises on a collector car. With a Franklin 135 Series, also pay attention to the broader chassis and brake condition, because safe road use depends on the entire vehicle working properly together rather than on the tires alone.

A Franklin 135 Series should be driven at moderate, conservative speeds that respect pre-war chassis design and the behavior of bias-ply tires. Even when fitted with fresh collector tires, the car's steering response, braking distances, and ride characteristics remain very different from those of a modern automobile.

The sensible approach is to let the car, road surface, traffic conditions, and mechanical confidence set the pace. Owners who use a Franklin 135 Series for touring generally get the best results by avoiding sustained high-speed running, leaving extra stopping room, and treating comfort and control as more important than speed.