Well my tire was flat Sunday so Monday I took to the HD shop. They found a small finishing nail in it. I was informed they will not repair tires so I had a new one installed (ouch!!!!!!! $280).

Is it really unsafe to use a tire that has been patched? I mean I have the wheels that require a tube anyway. Patch the hole, new tube, balance the wheel, what's the problem?

Ok what would you guys do?

 

It's safe for off-road but not high speed bikes.
Not worth the low cost of replacement tubes anyway...You're worth more than that bro.

Good discussion here:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/in...8114432AAm0Qhy

 

Put a new tube in it and ride on. I've ridden on tubed tires with nail holes in them for years. Check out a HD service manual. It will tell you to replace damaged tubes.

BTW, for all you guys that have dealers telling you they won't patch/plug tubeless tires, ask them to open up a service manual to the tire section....Right in my 2000 FLT manual it says, " Tubeless tires may be repaired in the tread area only and then the puncture must be 1/4" or smaller."

 

I didn't mean the tube. Nail went through tire and tube dead smack center of tire. I would think you could put a patch on the inside of the tire and put in a tube and be none the worse off. I just didn't want to mess with it at the time and the dealer has a policy of not doing it. I was told I could take it to the tire shop and have them do it but just didn't want the hassle right now. I saved the tire because when this one wears out I will patch the original and have it put on unless of course anyone can give me a good reason not to.

 

I can't understand why the dealer would not fix it. Yes I can!! $280.00 for a rear tire that costs them about $60.00.

The HD Service Manual clearly states that a tire with good tread on it can be patched, and it gives the accepted methods for repair.

You need to find a good independent shop or a dealer that has people that can read a service manual.

Bill

 

I've run into this same thing on car tires where the tire dealer would not plug small holes. The cynic in me wants to think that the tire dealer just wants to sell you a new set of tires rather than a $15 tube and plug job. I could understand if it was on the side of the tire but your dealer sounds like he a bit into the "CYA" mode. I'd probably try to plug it and put in a new tube....but I'm guessing once you had it in the shop and the wheel off, the dealer basically knew he had you "by the twins" and there was not much you could do.

I'm almost ready for new tires on my bike so I'll be feeling your pain soon.......

 

The exact same thing happened to me. Same responce from the dealer. I finally found a private HD shop to put on a new tube for me. Cost me about $85.00. I had to leave it overnight.

[IMG]local://upfiles/31662/69F4A2CF26924392AA4AE9975E072EB5.jpg[/IMG]

 

The stealer has their reasons but this is still a valid safety issue.

Over the years I've had tubes and tires come apart at speed.

Drag racing in 1980 I had a rear separate at 130 mph, my entire face is still scared from that one.

A year later I was running on the street with a, very expensive, patched rear that did the same.
That time it was on a 16' chopper with hard tail struts, the tire came apart and locked on the struts.
Not pretty.
Try that some time, get your old skool chopper doing 60 MPH and lock up the rear....woohoo.

On bicycles and motorcycles I've seen both tire and tube come apart after repairs.
When a tube gets a hole in it the entire area weakens, even outside of the repair, it will eventually fatigue.

Be safe guys...

 

OK the nail was a very small finishing nail less than 1/8 in dia. Will that actuall weaken the tire enough to be safety concern. It went straight in and on in the tread.

 

I'd tube it.