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Who plugs tires?

Just get a tire plugging kit and do it yourself.
The Bikemaster kits are great. I've been carrying one for about 5 years now. Used it twice.
Limit your top speed to 75-80 mph.

[youtube]5qKOlZPuvvs[/youtube]
 
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The outside-in plugs are considered a temporary repair. Sometime the repair last the life of the tire but sometimes not. Temporary repairs are good to get you to a point where you can replace the tire.

The inside-out plugs (require removing the tire) are considered a more permanent and reliable repair.
 
mototireguy said:
The outside-in plugs are considered a temporary repair. Sometime the repair last the life of the tire but sometimes not. Temporary repairs are good to get you to a point where you can replace the tire.

The inside-out plugs (require removing the tire) are considered a more permanent and reliable repair.
Click to expand...

This in spades. If the plug is inserted from the outside of the tire and the tire is never removed from the wheel, it is ALWAYS considered a temporary repair until a proper repair can be made.

A proper repair REQUIRES the removal of the tire from the wheel and the work is done on the inside of the tire. Usually a patch with a long nipple/plug in the middle is used. Then the tire is remounted and rebalanced.

And the speed rating automatically drops one notch.


@ MotoTireGuy: What are your thoughts on patches with and without the nipple? One part of me says the nipple/plug thing is good as it'll keep debris out of the hole. The other part of me says that if reaming of the hole to accommodate the plug is required, then I fear that internal tire cords can be damaged and further weaken the tire. In which case, using a regular patch and simply putting adhesive all the way through the hole in the tread is the way to go.

I'm thinking that if the nail or screw or whatever is small, use a patch only. If what made the puncture is larger or has sharp threads, ream and use a patch with plug. But minimize the amount of reaming.

What say you?
 
ST Guy said:
This in spades. If the plug is inserted from the outside of the tire and the tire is never removed from the wheel, it is ALWAYS considered a temporary repair until a proper repair can be made.

A proper repair REQUIRES the removal of the tire from the wheel and the work is done on the inside of the tire. Usually a patch with a long nipple/plug in the middle is used. Then the tire is remounted and rebalanced.

And the speed rating automatically drops one notch.


@ MotoTireGuy: What are your thoughts on patches with and without the nipple? One part of me says the nipple/plug thing is good as it'll keep debris out of the hole. The other part of me says that if reaming of the hole to accommodate the plug is required, then I fear that internal tire cords can be damaged and further weaken the tire. In which case, using a regular patch and simply putting adhesive all the way through the hole in the tread is the way to go.

I'm thinking that if the nail or screw or whatever is small, use a patch only. If what made the puncture is larger or has sharp threads, ream and use a patch with plug. But minimize the amount of reaming.

What say you?
Click to expand...

Yup.:cool

Patch with plug..
 
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ST Guy said:
@ MotoTireGuy: What are your thoughts on patches with and without the nipple? One part of me says the nipple/plug thing is good as it'll keep debris out of the hole. The other part of me says that if reaming of the hole to accommodate the plug is required, then I fear that internal tire cords can be damaged and further weaken the tire.
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No empirical data but...

I prefer the UniSeal 250 type plugs that fill the hole and patch the inside.

This type of plug offers two layers of sealing versus just a patch on the inside seal or just a sticky rope seal.

As mentioned any tire puncture and repair does some damage to the tire cords/belts. This is why tires lose their speed rating with any damage/repair.

250ul.png
 
Have had good luck with the string/rubber-cement style outside-in type plugs. As long as its in the tread section of the tire. (If on the sidewall, I don't attempt a repair.) While some consider these repairs temporary, they've all lasted the life of the tire for me. I've done all repairs myself - read directions (or not, if you're feeling manly) and get 'er done. :)
 
I patched my rear tire with a generic tire plug kit, and then rode the tire down to the tread (over the course of a year or so). Did it's job well I'd say.
 
okay, who patches tires? Tire has plenty of tread left, and it's my wife's ninja 250 that I use for commuting once and a while, it only goes 105 (if I plan way ahead.) I want a permanent fix without buying a new tire.
 
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I'd say based on this thread that Robbie, aka mototireguy does plugs that are permanent.

He is a nice guy and will adjust your chain for free too.
 
Dude... just plug it yourself... waaaay over thinking this.
 
limey said:
I'd say based on this thread that Robbie, aka mototireguy does plugs that are permanent.

He is a nice guy and will adjust your chain for free too.
Click to expand...
I would use him, if I was near the city for a permanent patch. He must be the most unassuming vendor to ever hit BARF. I love his casual answers to questions, like he just saw a Dunlop for the first time, right before he posts.
"But, wait, your handle is ........ " It cracks me up.
 
limey said:
I'd say based on this thread that Robbie, aka mototireguy does plugs that are permanent.
Click to expand...

I used to offer this service but I've discontinued plugging tires for my sanity.

I've had one plug repair fail, fortunately nothing bad happened, but I'm uncomfortable with the risk vs reward.
 
I believe Zoom Cycle in Santa Clara patches tires. At least they used to.
 
mototireguy said:
As mentioned any tire puncture and repair does some damage to the tire cords/belts.
Click to expand...


True. However, abusing the hole with a rasp that is often times much larger than what created the puncture has got to damage the cords even more. Seems to me that if it's a small diameter nail, or even a larger one that's relatively smooth, that I'd seriously consider not using a patch with a plug.

But, if what created the puncture is larger and espcially if it's threaded or otherwise of a nature to cause more damage internally, then I'd be less concerned about using the rasp and would therefore use a patch with a plug built in.
 
my big bro didn't tell me that his bike had a plug in it's rear tire...doing a buck plus a lot comin down the hill into fairfield, when i slowed down towards the bottom i noticed some squirm from the rear end. i thought to myself 'this feels familiar!' pulled off the freeway immediately and lo and behold a failed plug i did not know was there. a minute after pulling over the tire was completely flat.......i never borrowed his bike again:nchantr
 
Here's a thought.

A plug or pach COULD fail, but how often does that happen, and how much worse is it than getting in a flat on a virgin tire?
 
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