I'm going to plug my tire

[SqDancerLynn1]

Hey Cliff remember 6 monthe ago when I pluged my tire? The plug is still there......

 

[Planecrazy]

Got some tires in your bargain basement linky Steve?

"One of these days, Alice ... TO THE MOON!" hehe!!

I DID give my last set of used Pirelli's (in perfect shape with several thousand miles left on them at least) to Brad Maynard, who was in need of some "tire love," but otherwise I'm clean out! Besides, I generally defer to Joe Nardy and Brian Wringer for tire advice, and they haven't steered me wrong yet!

Regards,

 

[asetech]

If you decide to repair tire I wouldn't trust any plug. I would do a hot patch.

 

[tone]

Right here goes .... ive run properly plugged tyres for thousands of miles with no problems, note i said PROPERLY eg the plug is fitted by a professional from the inside of the tyre (glued mushroom type) & only ever in the reccomended area (the certral 3rd of the tread) this type of plug becomes an integral part of the tyre & is as safe as a tyre with no plug

The reason people not in the know about such things dislike the idea is because of the temporary plugs which are available that have speed & load ratings which if exeeded can cause problems

So imo if you cant get it done properly dont bother but if you can carry on you wont have a problem

 

[argonsagas]

Minor correction, Steve.

Note the FULL text of his post said he installed a plug, but it further states that he also installed a tube, so both things were done. I have done this, as well, with no problem.

I had a similar experience only mine was on the front. I took the tire off the rim, installed a plug then smoothed it out real good and just for safety and peace of mind, I also installed a tube.

The tire ran just fine until it was time for replacement. All this is contrary to what everybody told me to do. They all seemed to think it would be too risky to run a front tire with a plug.

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The tire ran just fine until it was time for replacement. All this is contrary to what everybody told me to do. They all seemed to think it would be too risky to run a front tire with a plug.

(Steps up on soap box)

...So the question becomes, "Because you were lucky and got away with it does that mean it was a good idea?"

I'm not trying to be snide - only to suggest that betting one's life against the chance that a compromised tire might rip apart and cause a potentially fatal accident seems rather foolish compared to spending under $200 for a brand new tire. There was a time when I wouldn't have thought twice about doing exactly the same thing you did, so I'm not judging you ... just saying that with time and age comes wisdom, and those of us who have acquired that wisdom are merely trying to share it with those who will one day acquire it themselves.

When I was young, single, and invincible I did a LOT of reckless things that put my personal safety in jeopardy. Now that I'm older, married, and have two young kids I'm more careful to weigh the risks in everything I do. I don't let fear stop me from living life and trying exciting things (being a motorcyclist certainly confirms this) but I DO attempt to minimize the risk as much as possible without compromising the things that make life worth living. That's why a new tire seems like the obvious choice to me - it truly IS cheap life insurance, especially if it's a front tire.

(steps off soap box)

Regards,

 

[focus frenzy]

I beg to differ ... you may not value your life that much (although I suspect you do) but that "expensive" tire is DIRT CHEAP compared to your life ... EVERY day of the week, Pal! Besides, you said you picked up the bike and road it home the day it happened. If you can afford a new bike you can certainly afford the cheap insurance a new tire represents.

Ten miles? It sucks, I agree, but you're smarter than that...

Regards,

*EDIT: Even if it wasn't the day you "picked up" the bike (maybe you just picked up the bike with new tires installed) it's STILL cheaper than your life...

there is a serious flaw in your logic Steve!!
if you are making new bike payments you do not necessarily have the money left over to be replacing tires on a daily basis compared to someone with a paid for used bike!

sadly my life is not worth much, and if I went poof today I would be forgotten tomorrow.

and finally, I did replace that brand new tire.

as has been pointed out, belt damage results from most punctures and while they can be safely repaired, you do loose any speed rating the tire had and they are only truly safe for commuter service.

some of the big box quality car tire retailers will replace performance tires instead of repairing them under the road hazard warranty due to the fact the speed rating is null and void on repaired tires.

 

[Road_Clam]

Hi everyone,

I was going to take a quick afternoon spin though my favorite local canyons. I had been working hard in the yard all day and was going to treat myself. But when I got the garage I found a hex head screw in my rear tire and it was flat. This tire still has plenty of life left in it, at least 3000 miles, but the front tire is almost finished. I was hoping to poke in a plug patch and ride it for another 1000 miles or so, then replace both the front and rear tires. I can afford them better next month.

Will you share your tips and suggestions on how to properly install a plug so that it will give me no grief? I talked to a mechanic friend of mine who uses plugs all the time. He said that if properly done, they will outlast the tire. But this will be for only a few weeks of daily commute. I'll replace the tires as soon as it fits in the budget. Thanks for your time.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

Here's a few of my personall comments with regard to a "plug" . You NEVER plug a M/C tire. Period. Why? The inner belt system has already most likely been damaged and disruppted by the screw/nail. A M/C tire inner woven carcass is designed to move and flex in more directions than a car tire. To correctly add a plug, you need to cleanly "ream" the hole wit a serrated tool. Then you insert the cemented rubber plug with a hooked tool.
Remember, you only have approx 4 square inches of rubber between you and possible death. If I did ever decide to plug a tire (which I never would), the one thing that would be CONSTANTLY on my mind as I was taking an exit ramp off the highway at 60 mph was that tire plug I just installed....... that IMO would be lessening the enjoyment of my ride...


Just wait a few weeks and buy a set of new tires when your budget allows!


Rich

 

[focus frenzy]

I had a similar experience only mine was on the front. I took the tire off the rim, installed a plug then smoothed it out real good and just for safety and peace of mind, I also installed a tube.
The tire ran just fine until it was time for replacement. All this is contrary to what everybody told me to do. They all seemed to think it would be too risky to run a front tire with a plug.

OOO that is risky, I work on trucks for a living for the biggest truck rental and leasing company in the world and WE don't patch steer tires.

we patch and cap drive tires but get a nail in a steer tire and it becomes a trailer tire.

then again a motorcycle steers by leaning and never see's the forces exerted on cage steer tires.

 

[bwringer]

Well, I sorta hafta agree with everybody on the fact that a plug should only be a temporary, emergency measure to get you to a place that is safe enough to change the tire, but ... yes, I have plugged a tire or two (or more ) and gotten away with it. The plugs I used were the Monkey Grip brand. This link shows them at Tractor Supply Corp., but they are available at Wal-Mart and virtually any auto parts store for about the same price. Absolutely no problem with them, and I'm not going to tell you how long my temporary repair was in place. The only thing I would recommend if you use them is to be sure to use plenty of glue when installing them. The glue acts as a lubricant, so it makes insertion much easier. By the time you get the tools put away, you can inflate the tire and ride off.

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I was about to post the exact same thing -- I've used the "gummy worm" string type plugs several times for far more miles than advised, with never a problem. So there.

I've also used the "mushroom" style patch installed from the inside, again with no trouble at all.

I do have one of the "Stop-n-Go" tire plugging guns, and it's a load of crap -- it's never worked in a motorcycle tire. I stopped carrying it long ago, and now simply carry the sticky strings, glue, and the installing tools, along with a tiny electric air compressor.

I also note that when I used the crappy Stop-n-Go plugs, I had the rear tire go flat on me several times at interstate speeds when those stupid plugs inevitably worked loose, and it really wasn't a huge issue -- the rear just sort of slowly goes mushy. Once I had to patch the tire in the parking lot at work, then three more times in 60 miles to get home.


These Nealy kits are considered some of the best available:
http://www.tirerepairkit.com/


YMMV, of course, but I don't think your rear tire will instantly shatter into a million pieces and cause your horrible grisly demise if you patch it correctly and replace it soon.

 

[Planecrazy]

Minor correction, Steve.

Note the FULL text of his post said he installed a plug, but it further states that he also installed a tube, so both things were done. I have done this, as well, with no problem.

No need for the correction, Ron (though I appreciate the attempt) ... I DID note both repairs were done, which is why I was careful to structure my response to reflect the possibility that the original puncture point (with its weakened belts) might "rip" apart. If the belts on the compromised tire failed in that fashion the forces would clearly have affected both the original patch/plug AND the tube, with potentially catastrophic results. Let's face it ... the likelihood is that such a failure would occur when the tire was under the most strain - at speed in a set of twisties when the forces trying to tear it apart are at their greatest.

Clearly the likelihood of this happening is remote, as so many of us (myself included) have used plugs and/or patches without incident (although I never did so on a bike tire). Just the same, I personally find the risk/reward to be not worth taking a chance when the replacement cost of even the most expensive replacement tire is so low in comparison to just the ambulance ride to the hospital (should one be lucky enough to survive the crash).

Right here goes .... ive run properly plugged tyres for thousands of miles with no problems, note i said PROPERLY eg the plug is fitted by a professional from the inside of the tyre (glued mushroom type) & only ever in the reccomended area (the certral 3rd of the tread) this type of plug becomes an integral part of the tyre & is as safe as a tyre with no plug

The reason people not in the know about such things dislike the idea is because of the temporary plugs which are available that have speed & load ratings which if exeeded can cause problems

So imo if you cant get it done properly dont bother but if you can carry on you wont have a problem

This is simply not possible. No matter how well done a repair (professional or otherwise) is done, the tire will NEVER be as safe as an undamaged tire, simply because the belt structure has been compromised. Riding such a tire at speed (especially speedy twisties) is asking for trouble that somebody will eventually experience. Note that I acknowledged above the low likelihood that it would happen, but ANY risk, IMO, isn't worth the cheap price of a brand new tire. I, personally, would plug a tire long enough to safely pilot the bike home and then bite the bullet and replace it...

Regards,

 

[Planecrazy]

sadly my life is not worth much, and if I went poof today I would be forgotten tomorrow.

No chance of that, Pal! We, here, at the GSR would notice the "rip" in the continuum immediately!!

Regards,

 

[BassCliff]

You guys are great!

You guys are great!

Wow, this is kind of like an oil thread.

Anyway, I plugged the tire and it's working fine. I'm not dead yet. I'm riding very gingerly on my daily commutes, checking the tire pressure every time before I ride. It hasn't lost any pressure at all. I understand about possible/probable damage to the tire's belts and will replace the tires as soon as I get a chance. I can still opt to drive my old truck too.

Thank you all for sharing your expertise and your concern.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[82Shafty]

I see both sides of the argument: certain styles of plugs will get you home if that's what you need them to do, but be forewarned that a plug should (in theory) only be used as an emergency on a motorcycle.

I'm a bit more with Steve on this one, as insurance costs are outrageous enough right along with hospitalization costs on top of everything else, and in retrospect, I think that all of us, if at that fork in a road, would gladly pay 125 dollars to keep safety as a number one priority.

It appears that some riders on here have not only successfully plugged cycle tires, but have ridden on them for a decent amount of time: good to know.

http://www.soundrider.com/archive/tips/tire_sense.htm

Dunlop Recommends

Some punctures in motorcycle tires may be repaired.

Dunlop recommends only permanent plug-patch repairs of small (maximum 1/4-inch diameter) tread area punctures from within the dismounted tire by a qualified tire repair shop or motorcycle dealer. Never perform an exterior repair and never use an inner tube as a substitute for a proper repair. Speed should not exceed 50 mph for the first 24 hours after repair and the repaired tire should never be used over 75 mph. Check inflation pressure after tire cools for at least three (3) hours following run-in, or sooner if air loss is suspected.

No form of temporary repair should be attempted because secondary damage caused by a penetrating object may not be detected and tire or tube deflation may occur at a later date.

Dunlop does not recommend the use of liquid sealants. These are a form of temporary repair, and they may adversely affect ply material and mask secondary damage caused by a penetrating object. Reliance upon sealants can result in sudden tire failure and accident.

http://www.dunlopmotorcycle.com/infocenter_tiretips.asp?id=13

Everyone please ride safe out there!

 

[duaneage]

I keep tubes on hand and I have a tire machine so that represents my options on flats. I also keep old tires on spare rims. They may be slim on tread but they hold air. In 30 minutes I can change a wheel right out.

Obviously if the tire is close to worn out replacement is the answer.

 

[MelodicMetalGod]

Wow, this is kind of like an oil thread.

Anyway, I plugged the tire and it's working fine. I'm not dead yet. I'm riding very gingerly on my daily commutes, checking the tire pressure every time before I ride. It hasn't lost any pressure at all. I understand about possible/probable damage to the tire's belts and will replace the tires as soon as I get a chance. I can still opt to drive my old truck too.

Thank you all for sharing your expertise and your concern.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

Well, sounds like you've made up your mind to run with the plugged tire for the short term. My two cents, like man others, is that while it can be done, it's just not a risk I'm willing to take if a new tire is available.

That said, keep us posted on how the patch/plug works over the next few weeks and, for goodness sake, let us know when you've gotten a proper replacement on there!

Best of luck!

 

[twr1776]

This is definately like an oil thread

This is definately like an oil thread

I was about to post the exact same thing -- I've used the "gummy worm" string type plugs several times for far more miles than advised, with never a problem. I now simply carry the sticky strings, glue, and the installing tools, along with a tiny electric air compressor.
These Nealy kits are considered some of the best available:
http://www.tirerepairkit.com/

I can attest to the string type plugs working. On the way to the SE Rally last year somewhere if BF North Carolina Al picked up an arrow shaped rock in his rear tire and it went flat. We were VERY fortunate that BWringer was with us and had his tire repair kit. After plugging the tire in a gas station parking lot we were able to keep going and unfortunately Wheelers did not have a decent sticky tire to replace it with. We kept checking and the patch did not lose any air and I think the plugged tire ran about 1000 miles but it got him home. I probably would not run a plug on the front for more than getting to somewhere for a replacement tire but on the back it seemed to hold up pretty well. I am definately going to start to carry a kit on long trips, without them we would have been SOL.

 

[alke46]

Was it this hotly debated item that caused the site to go down for so long? Sure hope not.

Oh by the way, if any of you knew me and my kind of luck, you would know that I was not "just lucky". Heck I can buy a hundred lottery tickets and probably not have more than two matching numbers on any given drawing.

Happy New Year and happy motoring throughout '09.

 

[Planecrazy]

Was it this hotly debated item that caused the site to go down for so long? Sure hope not.

Oh by the way, if any of you knew me and my kind of luck, you would know that I was not "just lucky". Heck I can buy a hundred lottery tickets and probably not have more than two matching numbers on any given drawing.

Happy New Year and happy motoring throughout '09.

See? There it is!!! You used up all your luck on the tire repairs instead of putting it where it really counts ... in lottery tickets!

Regards,

 

[bonanzadave]

Dunlop Recommends
never use an inner tube as a substitute for a proper repair.

This also came out of that Dunlop website...

"With a tube inserted, a tubeless tire may be fitted to a tube-type wheel."

I guess I have the opposite - A tube less tire (Dunlop 491), on a tubeless rim, with a tube in it. Ive never changed my own tires so a tire shop must have done that. When I picked up a screw last summer the shop just put a new tube in it.

 

[tkent02]

I don't agree with a lot on this thread.

If flats were that dangerous, a lot of us be dead any times over.

Don't see how an inner tube is any more dangerous in a tubeless tire/wheel than in one that is made for tubes, they were plenty safe before tubeless bike tires were invented.
The idea of more heat being generated with a tube may be true, but if the air pressure is anywhere near correct it will never be an issue.

Sure the manufacturers say replace, that's their business, and if everyone in the world ran old poorly repaired tires there may be a few problems. Does not mean if I run a plugged tire a few days it will explode.

If the tire was damaged and started to come apart you would notice long before it failed.
They get lumps that you can feel, if you keep running it chunks of tread may eventually come off. Not going to be rolling perfectly smoothly and then instantly blow, unless the rubber is very old, or heat damaged by running with low air pressure, or grossly overloaded/overinflated.

That said, tires are cheap, get a new one when you can.