[SillyFingaz]

This **** well SUCKS! I found a screw in my tire yesterday after a ride...don't know how long it's been there but thankfully I saw it in my garage and not Millions of miles away from nowhere which is where I was about 2 hours before I came home... I was waaay on the South shore in a very desolate area which would've cost me mega bux for a tow to the nearest dealership... Now I've got a question: I slowly worked the screw out as I've had this happen to me quite a few times only to freak out and get towed to a shop as I wouldn't take a chance riding with a big screw in the tire oly to find out that the secrew went in sideways and the tire were just fine. Well I decided to extract the screw myself...BAD IDEA! Air very slowly leaked out of the hole and now it's flat.

Question.. Ok we all agree, I need a new tire but want to get it plugged in the meantime. I don't want to pay for a dumb tow to get it plugged and all the regular tire places refuse to plug a motorcycle tire! Why?? I feel I can fill her up and get myself to a local tire shop that WILL plug her (gotta do more calls as there has got ot be one around) but...if not...is there any type of safe, clean sealant anyone can recommend if I do hafta take it to the shop which is about 45 minutes away? Any advice would surely be appreciated as I need to get this taken care of asap so I can enjoy my vacation otherwise it's going to be my main concern all friggen' week!

 

[kcl-labrat]

well that sucks balls...

why dont you just go pick up a tire plug, most tire shops dont even charge for them and all you need is the sealent and a heat gun?

 

[SillyFingaz]

Here's the killer: I haven't a freakin' clue as how to plug a tire myself even if I had the kit in my hands! I do NOT trust myself pluggin a tire...especially if even the pro's at the tire dealerships are afraid of doing it!

 

[kcl-labrat]

heres a link, theres tons of these on youtube. god bless youtube... :


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KCPwlyUUrk

hope this helps.....
sorry to hear about your ****ty day

 

[schimbo stryker]

Bummer sorry to hear.

 

[bschneider]

many people plug tires, but it is not a good idea. To properly repair a tire the hole needs to be cleaned and filled (with a plug or other filler material) and then it needs to be patched from the inside. The reason you will not find a respectable shop willing to plug the tire is that it is not safe for anything that sees highway speeds. The plug could snag on road material and pull out. The only time a plug should be used is for off road equipment (loaders, farm machinery, atv's) or for an emergency so you can get to a place that can perform a proper repair.

 

[SillyFingaz]

Ya know...that's what I'm figuring... I may as well call the shop and wit'll they get my tire in and looks like I'm gonna have to have it towed there to get the new tire on.... THIS SUX!

 

[wlfpak65]

Word!

 

[SillyFingaz]

OK...went to a big family barbecue yesterday and was finally re-introduced to many cousins I haven't seen in a while.

One owns a gigantic service station (nowhere near me, dammit) the other is a big rig truck mechanic and the other is a car mechanic.. All 3 have advised me to just buy a patch kit and read the directions and ride off into the sunset. They swear I don't have to replace the tire as, especially the owner of the station swears by, it will last the life of the tire especially that the tire is almost brand new (not even 1000 miles on it) He said it would definitely be a waste of money if I go out and purchase a new tire. He owns a multitude of bikes, cars and trucks and even though he has easy access to tires, he plugs them when punctured and has NEVER had a prob.. Some of the Big Rigs have been plugged 2 to 3 times and they're just fine.

Put me a little more at ease and I'm gonna go and get the kit tomorrow and get crackin'! In the meantime, though, I am gonna shop around for a 240 and when it is delivered, I'll have it mounted but keep the plugged tire just in case. I trust the advice I've received from not only experts in the field but my own blood who would not put my life i jeopardy over a lousy tire. YAY! I figure I'll be back o the road by tomorrow afternoon! (If it wasn't July 4th today, I'd do it today!)

 

[11Stryker]

" GET YOUR MOTOR RUNNIN---HEAD OUT ON THE HIGHWAY"

 

[SillyFingaz]

YAY! Plugged my own tire.... First attempt sucked as far as inserting the plug.... was sooo hot out that the material was practically melting and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't work it in far enough.... pulled it out and got another piece and this time I slathered it and the tool with a ton of the glue which acted as a lubricant and managed after some serious pushing, to get it in there 2/3 of the way and pulled out the tool. Shaved down the excess but left about 1/5" hanging out as I was informed to do by 3 mechanics. Filled up the tire, polished the bike and about 5 hours later, went out to check the pressure and it didn't budge so I'm safe! WHEW! Now I got the rest of my vacation to ride ( squished the tire repair kirt under the seat just in case) and am waiting for my 240 to arrive. As soon as I get the call, I'm running over there to get it mounted... I actually was gonna go all the way and get the 250 but it was gonna take some time to finally get here.

 

[wlfpak65]

GOOD TO HEAR U HAVE A QUICK FIX FOR THAT...... WHAT DID THOSE 240 TIRES RUN U?

 

[SillyFingaz]

Heehee...I'm going back and forth w/2 dealerships haggling on the price and labor...I'll let you know... They're both gonna order them anyway for stock on the 210's and 240's... So I didn't have to commit to anything!

 

[wlfpak65]

HAA... NICE...

 

[SillyFingaz]

After 2morrow, i'm gonna flatten out the little excess rubber from the plug by riding the bike on the highway for a while. Got the tire repair kit and needle nose under the seat just in case the plug gives way!

 

[kcl-labrat]

ada boy, good to hear it worked out 8)

 

[dutchs]

The reason that they will not plug a tire is due to liability, I am a mechanic as well. When you put a plug in a tire you already have damaged belts in the tire, you spread them out further with the plug. What can happen is the belts could shift when the tire gets hot and caust a wobble, blow out, or bubble, pretty much what you do not want to happen when on 2 wheels. The only proper repair is to remove the tire from the rim and install a patch. The chances of having a problem are slim, but there is a chance.

 

[richard3]

It costs 37 more dollars to have your bike added to your AAA, I did it just in case, tows are not cheap, good luck with the 240.

 

[SillyFingaz]

OK.... ordered a 240 and will have it mounted tomorrow...

 

[Stryker Lunatic]

ain't this a *****... wondered why the bike was a little sluggish. checked tire pressure and it's way low. **** nail in rear tire