Plug a tire

hookedon2wheels · 05-20-2007, 11:00 PM

So I got a bit of a nail in the center of my back tire, straight in. I plugged it with the standard car tire repair kit to keep it from leaking and going flat. Has anybody rode on a tire repaired this way? I know people will tell me "only if you want to kill yourself", I have about 2 months before I can get new skins on the blade. My ride to work is max 45mph and straight, no curves etc.

K9inAZ · 05-20-2007, 11:06 PM

I'm not a big believer in running plugged motorcycle tires. I would never run a plugged front, but if I had to I would run a plugged rear.

Given the parameters you mentioned, I don't see a problem running the tire for a few months. Just keep and eye on the tire pressure and plug, you should be fine.

929inNY · 05-20-2007, 11:47 PM

Although I could never stop thinking about it, I ran a plug in the rear tire for the life of a metzler. My rear tire was done, front was alright and i was broke. I replaced the rear for a trip from NYC to DC area, and a two days later leaving my buddies house in DC for NYC i picked up a nail. Plugged it and progressively i worried less and less, but it was a great relief to finally get a new tire on there.

1sterion · 05-20-2007, 11:48 PM

I plugged the center of a rear and had no problems at all. Once the plug blends in with the tire you will forget it's even there.

*JeepinJeff* · 05-21-2007, 7:52 AM

I'd replace the tire, that's just me.

bjay51d · 05-21-2007, 8:31 AM

I plugged a new rear once and put about 5000 miles on a it....i was younger and didnt much
a family to think about.I dont know If I would do it now.

Rebelspawn · 05-21-2007, 12:08 PM

Just remember the speed rating is gone once it is punctured.
I would never run a fixed front, a rear possibly if only around town and it was close to new. Tires don't cost that much but when a tire blows you only have one remaining, so that can be quite a risk to save a hundred + bucks.

Seeing as the conditions you described, 45mph ..etc I would run it. If were to be long time before replcing it i would patch it, not run the plug. You might have to do it yourself as a lot of bike shops will not fix bike tires because of the liability...I would run it though if I had no choice.

Also every few days, take some dishsoap and water solution and quirt it on your plug to make sure it is not leaking.

Goodluck and be safe.
Reb

PS. I would run a repaired front if it were something I had to do on the side of the road and that would be to only get to the nearest town and slow as hell

bikerboy1974 · 05-21-2007, 12:20 PM

I ran a plugged rear on my '06 600RR, no problems. Keep an eye on it for a bit. After a while I became used to it, just had to have it rebalanced to make it stable. I'm not the type to be paranoid though, so it might be different in your case. The tire didn't take me down, a "whitetailed devil" did. I'd say you'd be alright, IMHO.

06CBR1KMFNRR · 05-21-2007, 12:55 PM

First, there are bike tire plugs that are better than standard car tire plugs. The downside is you have to remove the tire to install them, but the design appears to be much safer.

This next bit is completely crazy, but it's the truth. I picked up a small nail in my rear BT-14 when I had 400 miles on the bike. I put slime in the tire as a temporary solution and stupid complacency let that solution run for 5800 more miles. They were winter miles primarily, so no intense turning, but plenty of reckless straight line stuff and even 7 or 8 runs at the drag strip. I ran the tire down to where you could see the belts showing.

I should have my head examined, but the moral of the story is a bottle of slime got me 5800 miles and I never lost a pound of pressure.

Sprint1050DA · 05-21-2007, 1:10 PM

My last rear picked up a nail on the way home from having it put on. Had it patched at the shop and ran it the next 4500 ish miles until it wore out. But, as said above, I did always think about that being a patched tire. Probably replaced it a bit earlier than I normally would have but my front was shot and I wanted to try a new style of tire.

weirdooh · 05-21-2007, 2:41 PM

replace it if you can. I had a tire I ran it's entire life with one of those mushroom plugs.

*Kick_Ass* · 05-24-2007, 1:49 PM

sticking a plug into a high performance motorcycle tire doesn't seem to make it into the cross check. considering you riding conditions (if your being honest with yourself and the rest of us) you shouldn't be too bad off. if you can, change the tire and save yourself the peace of mind.

skarz · 05-29-2007, 12:33 AM

i just changed my tires cause i was runnin a plugged front tire ... i know i know you guys are sayin idiot but just for a 2000 k or so. but i must say im way more comfy on the new skins

*Quick 26* · 05-29-2007, 9:59 AM

i ran a plug in my tire on my repsol for almost the entire life of the tire, i would say i put close to 7k miles on the plug, and did not cut it any slack

hwrdcur · 05-29-2007, 12:53 PM

I ran a plug for a week, when I got my new tires I decided to do a burnout until it pops or gets close to popping. I was really shocked to see the plug hold up so long, I got to threads and it did not leak, we stopped before popping the tire, checked the plug and it was fine. I probably still would not run a plugged tire for more than I had to.

Tornado bait · 05-29-2007, 1:46 PM

This is a post of mine from another forum full of pussies. I had already offered more than once to take the punctured tire off their hands for the cost of shipping.

Quote:

Just to stir the pot some more.

Tires are not like balloons. They don’t POP when they get a hole in them. I know from first hand experience that 15 year old tire technology will hold up with no less than three (3) plugs under severe contitions. And with those three (3) plugs can be worn so thin that there is nothing left for the middle to do but finally let go on the last set of chords. I also know from personal experience that you can spin a nail-punctured tire so fast that it will throw the nail out and embed it in the under side of your fender. Now that tire can be plugged and ridden for the rest of it’s tread wear. I also know from preparing old tires for the landfill that steel belts are tough as nails. Most landfills won’t take tires unless they are cut/sawed down the middle like a bagel or cut in sections like a pie. One nail hole is not going to destroy the integrity of today’s tires. I’m not saying that it is impossible for a plugged tire to blow, but it is very improbable. Now if you alarmists need the security of brand new tires to make you feel all cozy then feel free to blow your money. But don’t go all Henny Penny and scare everyone else into wasting their money too. And I’ll say it again……anyone that has good tires with a little ole nail in it let me know what your shipping costs are.

LITEITUP · 05-30-2007, 5:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quick 26

i ran a plug in my tire on my repsol for almost the entire life of the tire, i would say i put close to 7k miles on the plug, and did not cut it any slack

I concur.
I got a nail in my rear Metzeler on my F3 back in the day. Plugged it with a standard car plug, no problems. Took it easy at first, checking air everyday, no problems. Got another nail in the same tire, plugged it, no problems. I was pretty confident in the plugs as they looked to be part of the tire now and the tire never leaked. Just so happens my new tire got a nail soon after purchase. Plugged it, no problems. Luckily haven't had anymore nails but now we're talkin about it, I better be careful on the way home.

dattaway · 05-30-2007, 7:20 PM

A few seconds at 130mph and its a guaranteed moment of "rapid deflation." This can be felt for several seconds of your back end getting soft and wanting to drift from side to side. If not stopped, the tire will quickly overheat, seperate from the bead, delaminate, and ultimately fly apart.

hookedon2wheels · 05-30-2007, 11:38 PM

Thanks for all the replies. Since I have plugged the tire I have only been up to top speed about 8 different times, j/k. I have kept it under 65 and plan to keep doing so until the new ones are mounted and balanced. Air pressure has stayed exactly where it was once I repaired the tire and added pressure.

SamoanzRR · 05-30-2007, 11:46 PM

I did run a plugged tire for 6000mi never did TOO much speeding but I do admit to "messing around a bit" but totally forgot about the plug after 1K mi.
I would trust it giving the 45mph you claim since I hit a good 150 with mine....

skarz · 05-30-2007, 11:48 PM

no tires dont pop but they do fly apart i ran 2 plugs in my front tire for 3000 or so k but nervously

*Quick 26* · 05-31-2007, 7:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dattaway

A few seconds at 130mph and its a guaranteed moment of "rapid deflation." This can be felt for several seconds of your back end getting soft and wanting to drift from side to side. If not stopped, the tire will quickly overheat, seperate from the bead, delaminate, and ultimately fly apart.

i had that "rapid moment of deflation" on my truck sat pulling a 32' trailer, i destroyed that tire and now have bodywork to do on my truck

Tornado bait · 05-31-2007, 9:48 AM

I'll make the same offer for all the pussies on this board too. Anyone afraid of a lil nail in their tire let me know what you want for shipping.

cyclones66046 · 05-31-2007, 10:23 AM

After reading all of the posts, I have came to the conclusion that running a patch/plug is not going to cause any problems. I have heard stories and I would think some would show up here. But seems to me that we all have ran patch/plugs with not much of an issue.

06CBR1KMFNRR · 05-31-2007, 11:27 AM

I would still recommend slime

*Quick 26* · 05-31-2007, 12:06 PM

that makes a mess with a hole

Tornado bait · 05-31-2007, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 06CBR1KMFNRR

I would still recommend slime

Can cause balance issues. It works fine for ATV and bicycle tires, though.

IMATOPGUN · 06-05-2007, 9:33 PM

I don't agree with using the plugs.......but. I would definatly ride a bike that had a patched tire. For those who don't know what a patch is, the tire is removed and a patch is used on the inside of the tire. frome the outside of the tire you would never know the patch was there or the removed nail for that matter. Nothing is visible from the outside.

CBR929RE · 06-05-2007, 9:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 06CBR1KMFNRR

First, there are bike tire plugs that are better than standard car tire plugs. The downside is you have to remove the tire to install them, but the design appears to be much safer.

This next bit is completely crazy, but it's the truth. I picked up a small nail in my rear BT-14 when I had 400 miles on the bike. I put slime in the tire as a temporary solution and stupid complacency let that solution run for 5800 more miles. They were winter miles primarily, so no intense turning, but plenty of reckless straight line stuff and even 7 or 8 runs at the drag strip. I ran the tire down to where you could see the belts showing.

I should have my head examined, but the moral of the story is a bottle of slime got me 5800 miles and I never lost a pound of pressure.

yes take the tire to a motorcycle shop for a plug. I've been through 2 rears with plugs in them, probably 10-15k miles total. I think my current one might have a plug in it but its been over a year since I put it on so I forget. and both plugs where put in from the outside with no issues. the stuff they use "mushrooms" on both sides so there's no need to take the tire off the wheel. I didn't have any balance issues that I could feel but then again both nails where in the center so only the balance machine was gonna feel it anyway.

that slime might work but as was mentioned it creates the balance issue and it also creates a mess that you gotta clean up before you mount the new tire.

Quote:

Originally Posted by IMATOPGUN

I don't agree with