1926 Franklin Tire Fitment Guide

1926 Franklin fitment centers on two listed sizes: 31X5.25 and 525-21, both used on the Franklin 11A. Both are bias-ply sizes and both mount on 21-inch rims. For 525-21, the available products show rim-width ranges of 2.50 to 3.00 inches on the Firestone versions and 3.50 to 4.00 inches on the Excelsior version, which means wheel width matters even when rim diameter is the same.

That makes the first step simple but important: confirm that your car is a 1926 Franklin 11A, then verify which of the two sizes is already on the car or specified in your restoration records. After that, measure the wheel so the product's approved rim-width range matches the wheel you actually have. On a pre-war car, that check is more useful than assuming any 21-inch tire will interchange cleanly.

On a 1926 Franklin, 31X5.25 is an antique diameter-by-section size. The first number refers to the tire's approximate overall diameter in inches, while the second number refers to the nominal section width. It is a bias-ply style of sizing used in the pre-war era, and it reads very differently from later numeric, alphanumeric, and metric tire codes that modern drivers are more familiar with.

That older sizing language matters when you are matching the look and stance of a 1926 Franklin. A diameter-by-section size often aligns with the visual proportions expected on a 1920s automobile, which is why restorers pay close attention to it. If your car currently wears 31X5.25, use that as a strong clue when comparing replacement options, then verify the wheel dimensions before settling on a specific tire.

On a 1926 Franklin, 525-21 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 5.25 portion identifies the nominal section width, and the 21 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. Unlike a modern metric radial size, there is no metric section width, no stated aspect ratio, and no radial construction letter in the code. It is a straightforward period numeric fitment commonly seen on vehicles from the era.

That makes 525-21 easier to compare within the Franklin range because the wheel diameter is explicit. If your 1926 Franklin 11A uses this size, you can focus on choosing among the available sidewall appearances and wheel-width-compatible products instead of translating modern sizing conventions. It is also a useful reminder that pre-war tire selection starts with the actual code on the car, not with a modern-size conversion guess.

Both listed sizes for 1926 Franklin are bias-ply, and both fit the Franklin 11A on 21-inch rims, so this is not a bias-ply-versus-radial decision. The real question is which size matches your car's established fitment, wheel dimensions, and restoration direction. 31X5.25 follows an earlier diameter-by-section naming style, while 525-21 uses a numeric width-and-rim format that also remains period-appropriate for a car from 1926.

Start by checking the tire size currently on the car, any surviving factory or restoration paperwork, and the actual wheel width. If your goal is historical consistency, stay with the size that best matches the car's known setup. If you are choosing within 525-21, the available products then let you refine the appearance with blackwall or wide whitewall styling without moving away from a correct pre-war bias-ply construction.

For 1926 Franklin, the available 525-21 products include both blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall styles. Firestone offers blackwall and a 3.00-inch wide whitewall version in that size, while Excelsior offers a blackwall option. All of those listed 525-21 products are bias-ply. That gives Franklin owners a choice between a more restrained sidewall look and a brighter period presentation on the same basic size family.

Blackwall is the safest choice when you want an understated pre-war appearance, especially on a driver or a restoration where simplicity matters. A wide whitewall can change the visual character of the car significantly and may suit owners building for a more formal or dressier period look. Before deciding, think about how the tire will look against the body style, wheel finish, and judging standard you are trying to meet.

The listed brands for 1926 Franklin are Firestone and Excelsior, both in the 525-21 size. Firestone appears with blackwall and wide whitewall versions in its Classic Bias Ply line, while Excelsior appears with a blackwall option in the Comp H series. All of the listed products for this year-make application are bias-ply, which aligns with the construction style expected for a 1926 luxury automobile.

Brand choice on a pre-war Franklin usually comes down to the look you want, the wheel-width range your car needs, and how closely the tire's presentation fits the overall restoration. Firestone's available whitewall option gives one visual direction, while the blackwall offerings from both brands give another. Once you know your exact size and wheel width, compare the individual tire's stated dimensions and sidewall style instead of choosing by brand name alone.

For 1926 Franklin, the listed 525-21 products show specific rim-width requirements that vary by product. The Firestone 525-21 versions are approved for 2.50 to 3.00 inch rims, while the Excelsior 500/525-21 version is approved for 3.50 to 4.00 inch rims. All of them share a 21-inch rim diameter, but the acceptable wheel-width range is not the same across the available tires.

That difference is exactly why wheel measurement matters before ordering for a 1926 Franklin. Two tires can share the same nominal size and still be intended for different wheel widths, which affects mounted shape and fit. Measure the wheel at the bead seat if possible, then match that measurement to the tire you are considering. On a pre-war car, this step can prevent an otherwise correct-looking size from being a poor setup choice.

1926 Franklin applications use bias-ply tires from the pre-war era, and cars of this age were commonly run with tube-type wheel and tire setups. The listed 525-21 products do not carry a TL marking, and nothing in the available 1926 Franklin fitments points toward a modern tubeless-style application. On a 1920s car, tube use is generally tied not only to the tire but also to the original wheel design and how the rim was built.

Treat tube choice as part of the complete wheel-and-tire assembly, not as an afterthought. Inspect the wheel condition, valve-hole condition, and rim-band needs before mounting anything on a 1926 Franklin. If the car still uses original-style wheels, many restorers and tire installers will default to a tube-compatible setup for safety and sealing consistency. A shop experienced with pre-war wheels is the right place to confirm the final assembly approach.

The two listed 1926 Franklin sizes, 31X5.25 and 525-21, both use 21-inch rims, so they are compatible at the wheel-diameter level. That shared diameter is helpful because it means you are not switching between different wheel diameters within the Franklin 11A fitment range. The remaining question is wheel width, since the available 525-21 products themselves already show different approved rim-width ranges.

Original 1926 Franklin wheels can often stay in service when moving between listed 21-inch tire sizes, but only after the wheel width and condition are checked. A wheel that is right for one 525-21 product may not be ideal for another. If your goal is to keep the original wheels, verify their width first, then choose the tire that matches both the wheel and the appearance you want the car to carry.

A 1926 Franklin should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, furnaces, welders, and other ozone-producing equipment. Keep the tires clean, maintain inflation, and move the car periodically so the contact patch does not stay in one place for months at a time. Because 1926 Franklin fitments are bias-ply, they are more prone to temporary flat-spotting during long static storage than modern radials.

If the car will sit for an extended season, many collectors either roll it occasionally or support it in a way that reduces constant load on the tires without letting the suspension hang unnaturally. Tire covers and a clean concrete or sealed floor help as well. Good storage habits preserve not just tread life, but also sidewall appearance, which matters on a pre-war car where the tire is a major visual part of the restoration.

On a 1926 Franklin, tire age usually matters more than mileage because collector cars are often driven sparingly. A sensible rule is to evaluate tires closely once they are around five to seven years old and to treat about ten years as the point where replacement deserves serious consideration regardless of tread depth. The date code on the tire is the starting point, but storage conditions and visible condition matter just as much.

A bias-ply tire on a lightly used pre-war car can still age out before it wears out. Sidewall cracking, hardening, distortion, or repeated loss of air are stronger warning signs than tread wear alone. If a 1926 Franklin is used for tours, parades, or long-event driving, build tire age checks into the car's annual maintenance routine rather than waiting until the rubber looks obviously worn.

Tires on a 1926 Franklin should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, weather checking, cuts, bulges, uneven tread wear, and pressure loss, and do not ignore the spare if the car still carries one. On a pre-war wheel-and-tire assembly, valve-stem condition and any signs of tube-related air loss deserve attention as well.

That quick inspection is especially important on a collector car that may sit for weeks between drives. Problems often appear during storage rather than during active use. A five-minute walkaround can catch damage early and save a roadside problem on a tour. If the car starts to pull, vibrate, or feel different than usual, stop and inspect the tires immediately instead of assuming the issue is only suspension or steering related.

A 1926 Franklin 11A would originally have been a bias-ply application, which aligns with both listed sizes for the year-make range: 31X5.25 and 525-21. That construction type is consistent with normal industry practice in the mid-1920s, long before radial passenger-car tires became common. The correct sidewall treatment and exact size choice can vary with restoration goals, surviving records, and how the specific car was equipped when new.

For a serious authenticity-focused restoration, use the car's surviving evidence first: old photos, wheel tags, prior restoration notes, or any original handbook material that stayed with the vehicle. Then compare that against accepted Franklin club guidance. The safest path is to match the known size and period construction rather than chasing a modern substitute. For show-level work, marque specialists are often the final authority on market- and body-specific details.

Correct tire fitment absolutely matters when showing a 1926 Franklin, especially in judged pre-war classes. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts pay attention to size, construction type, overall profile, and sidewall presentation because those details affect the car's stance and period character. A tire that is visibly too modern in construction or sidewall appearance can change the look of the car even if it physically fits the wheel.

That does not mean every event uses the same standard, but it does mean tire choice should be part of the restoration plan rather than a last-minute decision. If the car is being prepared for concours or marque-club judging, verify the expected size and sidewall style with the event rules or club advisors. On a 1926 Franklin, the right tire supports the authenticity of the whole car instead of standing out as an anachronism.

For a 1926 Franklin in 525-21, Firestone and Excelsior differ in sidewall offerings, weight, and approved rim-width range. Firestone appears in blackwall and 3.00-inch whitewall versions, both rated at 1120 pounds at 36 psi and intended for 2.50 to 3.00 inch rims, with listed weights of 24 and 26 pounds. Excelsior appears as a blackwall 500/525-21 in the Comp H series, listed at 20 pounds and intended for 3.50 to 4.00 inch rims.

That means the choice is not just cosmetic. Firestone gives a whitewall option and a narrower approved wheel-width range, while Excelsior points toward a wider rim range in the listed product. On a 1926 Franklin, the right pick depends on the wheel you actually have and the presentation you want the car to carry. Compare wheel width first, then let sidewall style and visual character guide the final decision.

A properly selected and well-maintained tire can be safely used on a 1926 Franklin within the limits of the tire, the wheel, and the car itself. The listed 1926 Franklin products are bias-ply pre-war style tires, and no speed ratings are shown for the available 525-21 offerings. On a car of this age, overall highway confidence often depends as much on braking, steering, wheel condition, and suspension health as it does on the tire alone.

That makes realistic use important. A 1926 Franklin is best treated like a carefully preserved pre-war automobile, not a modern interstate cruiser. Keep speeds appropriate for the car's condition, avoid sustained high-speed running if the rest of the chassis has not been thoroughly sorted, and inspect the tires before every longer outing. When the tire, wheel, and mechanical systems are all in good order, the car is far more enjoyable and predictable on the road.

For 1926 Franklin tires, inflation pressure should follow the specific tire's load-and-pressure information together with the vehicle's original factory guidance whenever that guidance is available. The listed Firestone 525-21 products show a maximum load capacity of 1120 pounds at 36 psi. That figure is a tire rating, not automatically the ideal operating pressure for every Franklin application, and it should not be transferred casually to a different size.

Use the car's original handbook, marque-club literature, or other trusted Franklin references to establish the intended operating range, then confirm that your chosen tire supports that use. Inflation should also reflect how the car is driven and loaded, especially on a lightly used collector vehicle. The best practice is to start with vehicle guidance, verify the tire's rating, and keep all four tires evenly maintained once you settle on the correct pressure.

Before a longer drive in a 1926 Franklin, inspect all tires for cracking, cuts, bulges, abnormal wear, and stable air pressure, and include the spare in that check. Look closely at valve stems and the wheel itself, especially if the car still uses original-style components. Since a pre-war Franklin relies on bias-ply fitments, any change in shape, wobble, or air retention deserves attention before the trip starts rather than after it is underway.

Tire inspection should be part of a broader pre-drive routine that also covers wheel fasteners, brakes, steering play, fluid levels, and lighting. A 1926 Franklin rewards careful preparation because small issues can become larger ones on a tour or club event. If the car has been sitting, take a short local drive first to feel for vibration or pull, then recheck pressures and sidewalls before committing to a longer route.