puncture repair
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Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 219
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From:
puncture repair
I have had a puncture on the back wheel of my bob. ive managed to get the wheel off, which wasnt easy as the lift that i have wont go under the bike when it has a flat tire. I have to take the wheel in to be repaired. A couple of questions... Will the rotor and belt drive sprocket have to be removed from the wheel before the tyre can be taken off? I was bought home by a tow truck, if i had not been able to get home that way, would one of those aerosol tyre repairs have worked on a tubed tyre, and if so, would it have ruined the tube.? By the way, the screw that i have in my tyre looks like one of my own.. probably picked it up off my own drive[:@] theres a lesson in all of this??
Tourer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 319
Likes: 0
From: Cape Coral, FL
RE: puncture repair
Problem with the fix a flat stuff is you will never get that tire balanced right again if it is a tubeless, when you do a patch you should have it re-balanced. In my opinion you should have the pully and rotor on when you balance so the entire rotating mass is being balanced, but depending on what kind of equipment the have, may have to take off pully and rotor so they don't damage them fixing the tire.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,934
Likes: 43
From: Bloomfield, NM
RE: puncture repair
Brake rotor and sprocket will not be taken off. I wouldn't trust aerosol to fix the tire and ride on it for any distance or at very high speed. You might be able to get home, but that's all.
If it were me, I would have the tire patched from the inside, and just have a new tube put in. They are only about 19.00, and the tube that's in the tire might be damaged when the tire is removed anyway. If the tire has over about 8,000 miles on it, I would replace the tire also. The rears are only good for about 11,000 anyway.
Regards,
Bill
If it were me, I would have the tire patched from the inside, and just have a new tube put in. They are only about 19.00, and the tube that's in the tire might be damaged when the tire is removed anyway. If the tire has over about 8,000 miles on it, I would replace the tire also. The rears are only good for about 11,000 anyway.
Regards,
Bill
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,460
Likes: 2
From: SouthEast Michigan
RE: puncture repair
I am curious about the canned fix-a-flat products for tubed tires also. Has anyone ever used this stuff on a flat tire with a tube in it? I would like to carry a can of this stuff with me if it works.
Tourer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 458
Likes: 5
From:
RE: puncture repair
Tubed tires that need repair MUST be done with the proper repair kit. I've patched several tubes on the side of the road when I had to. It's simple... just pull the wheel off, remove the tube, patch it and reassemble everything. I can usually find a big rock to hold up the bike high enough to work. If I go on a long run, I carry a very small bottle jack in the saddlebags. Remember, once you get home, replace the tube (ALWAYS REPLACE IT!). You don't want it failing on you when you're doing 80+ mph on a turn! Those two little tires are the only thing keeping you from sliding along the asphalt on your a$$. Take them very seriously!!
For tubeless tires, you can get repair kits designed for them that contain CO2 cannisters to reinflate the tire. I carry a kit with me all the time. Those tires can be temp repaired without removing the wheel/tire from the bike.
Invest in the appropriate kit and keep it with you in your tool bag.
Also, DO NOT use Fix-a-Flat on ANY tires that you plan on repairing or reusing. This stuff will destroy the rubber inside the tire. Most shops will not even repair a tire that has that crap in it.
For tubeless tires, you can get repair kits designed for them that contain CO2 cannisters to reinflate the tire. I carry a kit with me all the time. Those tires can be temp repaired without removing the wheel/tire from the bike.
Invest in the appropriate kit and keep it with you in your tool bag.
Also, DO NOT use Fix-a-Flat on ANY tires that you plan on repairing or reusing. This stuff will destroy the rubber inside the tire. Most shops will not even repair a tire that has that crap in it.
Advanced
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
From: Lowestoft, UK
RE: puncture repair
Having suffered high speed blow-outs before, I'm extra wary when it comes to tyre care. For peace of mind I've put 'Slime' ( see www.slime.com) in mine. Fortunately, I've not put it to the test yet, but if the testimonials are to be believed, it could save you from a nasty headache - or worse.
One tip: when checking pressures or inflating tyres after adding the stuff, do so with the valve positioned between 10 and 2 o'clock. If the valve is lower down, there's a chance that the luminescent liquid, which settles to the lowest point, will be ejected under pressure as you lift the valve seat.
One tip: when checking pressures or inflating tyres after adding the stuff, do so with the valve positioned between 10 and 2 o'clock. If the valve is lower down, there's a chance that the luminescent liquid, which settles to the lowest point, will be ejected under pressure as you lift the valve seat.
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Tourer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 458
Likes: 5
From:
RE: puncture repair
All the bike made in the past few years (or longer) have tubeless tires, unless someone requested something else when they bought them.
I am a little leary about trying the Slime. It just doesn't seem right to have a fluid moving around inside the tires. Seems to me that it would affect the balance, especially in cold weather. I'll take my chance with a blowout... it's happened before and it'll happen again eventually.
I am a little leary about trying the Slime. It just doesn't seem right to have a fluid moving around inside the tires. Seems to me that it would affect the balance, especially in cold weather. I'll take my chance with a blowout... it's happened before and it'll happen again eventually.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,950
Likes: 2
From: Colorado Springs, CO
RE: puncture repair
ORIGINAL: Spectrexx
All the bike made in the past few years (or longer) have tubeless tires, unless someone requested something else when they bought them.
All the bike made in the past few years (or longer) have tubeless tires, unless someone requested something else when they bought them.
The tire sidewall will say tubeless on it. But that just means it's capable of running without a tube if you have the correct wheel.
If you have spoked wheels, you can have them sealed so you can go tubeless. But it has to be a fairly new wheel. Corrosion occurs at the spoke nipples. If there's very much corrosion, the seal won't work.
Tourer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 458
Likes: 5
From:
RE: puncture repair
That's actually what I meant. MOST Harleys are sold with cast wheels unless a different type is requested. I thought I said that in my last post.... I guess I didn't specify "wheels". 
I haven't used spoked wheels in several years. I just got tired of cleaning them and having to mess with removing, patching, and reinstalling the tubes when they leak. Also, I do a LOT of riding all year long and don't have time to sit around cleaning the bike every week. Once a month if I'm lucky..... I'll throw some soap in it when it's raining. LOL! Cast wheels are much easier to maintain, IMHO.
I haven't used spoked wheels in several years. I just got tired of cleaning them and having to mess with removing, patching, and reinstalling the tubes when they leak. Also, I do a LOT of riding all year long and don't have time to sit around cleaning the bike every week. Once a month if I'm lucky..... I'll throw some soap in it when it's raining. LOL! Cast wheels are much easier to maintain, IMHO.