Plugging a Tire

[Bronson512]

As you all know I'm new to the trike thing. I know what the 2 wheelers say when asked about plugging a tire! It's a lot like the oil and oil filter questions that pop up on forums. It's an argument or discussion that will not be solved! So I guess I'm trying not to open a keg of nails but would like to have a few opinions. Even when I rode a 2 wheeler I carried a plug kit for emergencies and now I'm wondering what the consensus is about plugging the rears on a trike. With that question in mind lets set a few parameters. Lets say it it a hole that is considered plugable in a spot on the tire that is considered safe by most plug mfgs. As Bill O'Reilly would say "What say you"?

 

[peteg59]

Plug it on the side of the road to get you off the side of said road, but patch it from inside the tire after you get to your destination/home.
Some would replace a "compromised" tire...

 

[BillyGA]

You are correct, this is a subject that will never go away. I for one will not use a plug on any tire. Two reasons, one is I don't feel safe on a plug. two is I don't think it is safe to ride on a plugged tire. Its one thing to have a blow out in a car but it is another to have one on a bike. Thats my opinion and I'm sticking to it.


Bill

 

[Gold Rush]

Combination of the previous two.... Pug that sucker and get to a tire shop for a new one. Your butt is worth more than the price of a tire ! :xszpv::xszpv:

OH, and you are correct. We will never solve that question. :laugh: :laugh:

 

[rhino 2]

Would i plug a tire...This is the definitive answer...

​IT DEPENDS !........

 

[Gorilla]

Let me throw this in. Police cars never have a plugged or patched tire. We get a flat we put the spare on. Off to the garage and a new tire is installed. Does not matter what the mileage on the damaged tire is. At least that is the procedure in all the departments I've worked with.

 

[Bronson512]

I see which way this seems to be going and I'm not saying I don't agree. Does this next option make you think that maybe it would be OK? I realize this is not a roadside option. Watch it all the way to the end as it starts out like a typical plug job!

Thanks!

 

[FRR]

When I was on 2 wheels I would NEVER have ridden on a plugged tire. Now that I ride a Trike, I MIGHT plug a rear tire, depending on circumstances. But not a front.

 

[Gold Rush]

That is a lot better then just a plug Dennis. I think if I were going to the trouble of dismounting the tire then I would install a "T" Patch. I believe that would be stronger and less likely to come out. :xszpv: :xszpv:

 

[hogcowboy]

I wouldn't have any problem with this kind of tire repair plug. I've used this kind on a nearly new tire on a motorcycle and ran it until it was ready to be replaced at 14k miles later.

But a rope plug to me is very temporary. And the problem using a rope plug to me means you ruined all chances of using the other plug. I use these on lawn mowers and ATV's only but do carry them for emergencies.

But I'm probably being over concerned with using a rope plug then plugging it with the better plug. They also make little bullet like plugs but I've never used those.

But you are right. It's like asking about oil. So do what you want with the information you can gather.

 

[tfdeputydawg]

RideOn tire sealant/balancer

 

[alienwulf]

Plug a tire on a trike, first rear only. With only 21 lbs of pressure and what a car tire is rated to hold I would consider using a plug. But only to get home or to a shop for a replacement if no other option. My first choice would be to call a tow truck to pick it up, got that on my insurance policy free tow to a shop..ThumbUp

 

[Amputee55]

Use the PLUGG to get home only !

As you all know I'm new to the trike thing. I know what the 2 wheelers say when asked about plugging a tire! It's a lot like the oil and oil filter questions that pop up on forums. It's an argument or discussion that will not be solved! So I guess I'm trying not to open a keg of nails but would like to have a few opinions. Even when I rode a 2 wheeler I carried a plug kit for emergencies and now I'm wondering what the consensus is about plugging the rears on a trike. With that question in mind lets set a few parameters. Lets say it it a hole that is considered plugable in a spot on the tire that is considered safe by most plug mfgs. As Bill O'Reilly would say "What say you"?

I would only plug a back tire, just to get it to a service location. Or if you have lots of $$$ buy the towing option through AAA or MOTO, $139/yr and bring extra cash for the new tire $$$$

 

[J.T.M.]

I spent most of my life in the tire business. I had a retread shop and did all kinds of tire repairs on tires from bicycle to big truck and industrial tires. I am certified in all kinds of tire repair so I think I am qualified to insert my 2 cents here. First a plug from the outside should only be used as a temporary emergency repair. No high way tire should be repaired without dismounting and inspecting. All holes should be filled and a proper patch or repair unit installed inside. As for motorcycle tires 2 or 3 wheels they do not recommend repairing them but if done proper by some one that knows what he is doing it will be fine. The problem here is not many people bother to get the training like I had. Most tire shops just plug it and let it go. So in general I say plug it and drive slow to get to a shop that can put on a new tire.

 

[CrystalPistol]

Rather than relink pics, I'll just use your's ..... Thanks! ThumbUp

I wouldn't have any problem with this kind of tire repair plug. I've used this kind on a nearly new tire on a motorcycle and ran it until it was ready to be replaced at 14k miles later.

.
These I too have used many times, when I can dismount one side of the bead. I've only ever had one of these fail partially and start leaking ... and a second one did no better. That tire was a car tire, was near new, and on my third fix I resorted to the next step below from outside .... used one, and that cured the leak until I removed the tire for being near the wear bars.
I do like these once in place and these are THE ONLY tire repair I will consider leaving in place on a MOTORCYCLE tubeless tire like my '85 GL1200A.

But a rope plug to me is very temporary. And the problem using a rope plug to me means you ruined all chances of using the other plug. I use these on lawn mowers and ATV's only but do carry them for emergencies.

These too I have used many times over my 46 years of driving, I've used them on car and PU truck tires countless times. It was one of these that saved a tire done twice with above patch plug.

In 1989 in the Pittston Coal Strike in SW Va. I used these instead of new tires when I picked up a jack rock left by a some idiot UMWA "supporter" on our state highways. The official policy was replace tire but these were extraordinary circumstances and the Dept. was having a hard time keeping tires on hand at the shop. I often spent two weeks on strike duty that year, a week at home, and two more weeks strike duty that summer, I removed one tire when back home had 6 of these plugs in it and never leaked once plugged and saw several runs in triple digits.
After I was home, I replaced the tire at Dept exp. I likewise used these when needed as temp repair of police tires like on midnight shift, etc ..... at home in regular patrol work but first daylight or other opportunity, put that tire in as spare and ran unplugged tires on ground ..... and get a new tire when I could.

I likewise have probably a couple of tires out on one or two of my vehicles now with one of these in them. Only once when I was attempting to plug a hole did one of these not work .... and that time a second one right beside it did the deal but that tire was worn and replaced very soon afterwards.

Likewise, there have been a few times when I used thiese twisted plugs to get home, and later went to a station and groke the tire bean loose, pulled gooey out and rasped hole and used a patch plug with the vulcanizing cement in place and had NO issues doing so on a personal tire that was near new.

I avoid the black ones like the plague. Use only the gooier brown ones like I get sealed in a bag in boxes from NAPA. I keep a black tool bag with me, it has comp, plugs, tools just for these.

But I'm probably being over concerned with using a rope plug then plugging it with the better plug. They also make little bullet like plugs but I've never used those..

These ...... I bought the kit, it's in the trike's back comp now with a kit to do the second twisted rope type as well. Reason I carry both .... I've tried these once, two plugs blew out of the hole shortly after insertion and short use .... I only got home using the brown gooey twisted rope plug and then trashed that tire ..... that was on my '85 GL1200. That was when I moved the plug gum kit to trike ..... I do keep a twisted rope kit on both the 1200 bike and in the trike.

But you are right. It's like asking about oil. So do what you want with the information you can gather.

I don't ever intend to run a plugged tire on a motorcycle that uses tubeless tires. I will patch a tube on my old Triumph however. The only MC tubeless tire I've ever needed plugged to get home, I replaced.

On the trike .... yeah, I'ld run a plugged tire on the rear with absolute confidence that it's at least as reliable as the other one. On my steer tire .... I would use a twisted rope plug to get home, but would shortly go to a patch plug like at top of post here soon afterwards.
Just my experiences ........... you will have your own. :laugh:

 

[FRR]

I spent most of my life in the tire business. I had a retread shop and did all kinds of tire repairs on tires from bicycle to big truck and industrial tires. I am certified in all kinds of tire repair so I think I am qualified to insert my 2 cents here. First a plug from the outside should only be used as a temporary emergency repair. No high way tire should be repaired without dismounting and inspecting. All holes should be filled and a proper patch or repair unit installed inside. As for motorcycle tires 2 or 3 wheels they do not recommend repairing them but if done proper by some one that knows what he is doing it will be fine. The problem here is not many people bother to get the training like I had. Most tire shops just plug it and let it go. So in general I say plug it and drive slow to get to a shop that can put on a new tire.

Good advice. I had a rear blow out on a 2 wheeled Wing many years ago. Had it plugged until I could ride it 35 miles home. The plug blew out in 10 miles. I finally got it home and a new tire was installed the next morning. A lot of guys who have flats on front tires never live to talk about it. I don't mess with tires. They are too important, whether on 2 wheels or 3. At 60 MPH with a 2 wheeler you only have about 4 sq inches of rubber on the road at any one time. That is scary in itself. Even on a Trike, if the front tire blows, you don't know for sure where you will end up before you get it stopped.

 

[Amputee55]

I wouldn't have any problem with this kind of tire repair plug. I've used this kind on a nearly new tire on a motorcycle and ran it until it was ready to be replaced at 14k miles later.

But a rope plug to me is very temporary. And the problem using a rope plug to me means you ruined all chances of using the other plug. I use these on lawn mowers and ATV's only but do carry them for emergencies.

But I'm probably being over concerned with using a rope plug then plugging it with the better plug. They also make little bullet like plugs but I've never used those.

But you are right. It's like asking about oil. So do what you want with the information you can gather.

What are these called ? I've never seen this type of patch before. Is this mounted internal ?

 

[Bronson512]

http://www.techtirerepairs.com/products/permacures/220.html

This one specifically says good for motorcycle tires. Don't fuss at me me I know how most of you feel about the subject I just thought it was interesting that motorcycle tires were mentioned. Most tire repair product companies do not.

 

[keepinon]

Like many here, I've been riding a long time, since 1967. And, being raised on farms & ranches in far NW Texas, you learn how to patch a tire/tube correctly. If it hadn't been for tube patches, my old Sportster never would have left the farm. (Damn mesquites)

It was the mid-80's before I had a tubeless tire on a bike. Bought a new Yamaha XS-1100 and rode it to OKC where I was working. Next morning... a flat on the front, a roofing nail. Got a ride to the local parts house for a patch kit, fixed it right there in the motel p/lot. I ran that tire 'till the tread was gone with no other flats. I have patched several since with no problems. Seems the only time a tire goes flat, is when it's new.

About six weeks ago, riding the hill country of central Texas, I had a flat at speed on the front of my GW-1800 trike. The ease of handling, getting off the road to beneath an old oak tree, really surprised me. Nothing like the butt-puckering experience on a 2-wheeler. A call to AMA, had a roll-back wrecker in a couple of hours (hey, I was in the middle of nowhere) that carried me to town, dropped me at a motel, AMA picked up all charges. Now a new tire while on the road, from a Yamaha dealer no less, is a butt puckering experience. Can you say List price??? :AGGHH: $189.95 plus tax & installation. But I was glad to get it!

I do carry the brown plugs & 12v compressor, and would run them until the next place to get a proper patch applied. I'd probably not run the 80 mph speed limit.

 

[Gold Rush]

In west Texas a plug kit and compressor somewhere in the group are absolutely necessary. I have carried each for many many years. Have had opportunity to use a few times. :xszpv::xszpv:

 

[CrystalPistol]

People say they won't use a tire repair in certain applications .... but I'll bet when it means a long walk in desolate country or a two hour wait for a tow .... they'll reconsider their options.

As to those twisted brown gooey rope plugs, I've seen guys use them just push in and pull out .... I learned to push in, twist near 180 degrees, and then yank. Makes a knot inside that I've never seen come back out. If it does, the hole was too big or was a long cut and should not have been plugged with one of the described plugs in the first place.

What are these called ? I've never seen this type of patch before. Is this mounted internal ?

It's a "Patch - Plug" as far as I've ever heard it called. You break at least one bead loose so you can get inside the tire, find the hole, inspect it to be sure it's a puncture near round (nail / screw / briar?) and not a long cut (mower blade / coke bottle bottom glass / etc) ..... remove offending object if present, ream hole (I do anyway), prep the inside by roughing, remove wrapper, add some dab of glue usually, stick metal through hole from inside, grab metal on outside with pliars, then just pull on it pulling the patch plug into position, cut excess off outside tire.

It's a pretty decent repair method but like any repair, a manufacturer will at minimum drop any speed ratings a notch with any hole repair.

 

[hogcowboy]

I found out a few months ago that a quarter inch size hole is just too big to plug. But the $380 replacement/repair should have come with Vasoline at least. My Indian now has a Harley branded rear tire. Does that explain the ridiculous repair bill? You do what you have to do when it's the only place that carries the size tire you need. Dang, it still hurts just typing this out. Thank goodness for plastic credit when on the road. I'd sure like to know what I ran over cause I couldn't remember ANYTHING that I hit.

 

[DRT]

Since the rear tires are basically car tires I would what a lot said plug temporary and then have it patched from the inside when I got home. On the front tire I would do temp, but replace the tire as soon as possible.

 

[Texan]

I have run "Ride-On" tire sealant in all my tires but also carry a mushroom tire repair kit in my trike. Have never had a problem on the road.



8~\o

 

[PosseRider]

http://www.stopngo.com/pocket-tire-plugger-for-all-tubeless-tires/ also have to hose to pump up tire. Used it once & guy rode 300-400 miles on it. Tire was due for replacement anyway. Plug never moved once installed, can't come out (mushroom head) on it & air pressure keeps it in place inside.

 

[Bronson512]

http://www.stopngo.com/pocket-tire-plugger-for-all-tubeless-tires/ also have to hose to pump up tire. Used it once & guy rode 300-400 miles on it. Tire was due for replacement anyway. Plug never moved once installed, can't come out (mushroom head) on it & air pressure keeps it in place inside.

I used to carry a StopnGo plug kit with the mushroom heads. I was at a motorcycle race one day and after the race I was all packed an ready to head home. Noticed the bike sat low as I straddled the saddle. I found a nail in the tread portion of my rear tire. I took the kit and made the repair. 1st plug went inside the tire after the repair was made. I was using the 1500 on board compressor so my guess was I had lost too much air from the time I got the hole reamed and the plug tool inserted so I tried again. This time a little more air in the tire and a little better prepared when it came time to insert the plug tool. I did lose some air but the plug held and I pumped the tire up and headed out. Slow ride for first 5-10 miles then pressure check. All OK. I checked it 4 more times and all was OK. Home was about 250 mi. So I was feeling pretty good. Pulled into driveway and put side stand down. I didn't check the tire as it was now dark. The next morning I walked out to the bike and to my surprise the tire was flat and the plug was gone, I suppose it too went inward.

 

[clint44]

Since the rear tires are basically car tires, I would what a lot said plug temporary and then have it patched from the inside when I got home. On the front tire I would do temp, but replace the tire as soon as possible.

On a m/c specific tire, I replace them soon after plugging one. Car tires? I've been driving for over 46yrs, plugged quite a few flat tires, and never had one fail, not once. JMHO but I think a small hole is not going to affect the structural integrity to a major extent. YMMV

 

[Sunman]

For years I have carried a truck tire size can of Fix-a-Flat, a plug kit and an air compressor in my bikes. I have never used the plug kit but I have used the Fix-a-Flat to get home on and then replaced the tire. I have run plugs in car tires and trailer tires for miles/months with no problems as long as the puncture was in the tire tread and not the sidewall. I would use the Fix-a-Flat and plug in a M/C tire as long as the puncture was in the tread and ride it home or to a shop if necessary.

Sunman

 

[Bronson512]

Sunman, & Clint, I hope my comments were not took as condemning that product but just an experience I had with it. I will say that in using the string product I've never had one to come out (or go inward). In fact on my old trailer I put a string plug in the hole. It was a puncture caused by a piece of steel and was a little jagged. Air was still seeping so I planned to pull the plug and use 2 strings. Because I had cut it off as instructed there wasn't much to grab. I liked to never got that old one out.

I always wondered about the StopNGo plugs on steel belted radials. I was afraid the steel would cut the plain rubber plugs and felt more confident in the repairing steel radial with the string style. Just me thinking out loud!

 

[Mykneesbehurtin]

I always carry a plug kit when i travel along with a can of fix a flat ,as others have said i would remove the rear tire and have it repaired correctly upon returning home.