Front Tire has a screw in it.....
Front Tire has a screw in it.....
As the title states; I went out today, went for a ride, met up with my family..blah...blah..blah...screw stuck in the middle of the tire. Went to Auto Zone and purchased a cigarette lighter tire pump. Filled and rode the bike the three or less miles home.
The tire has 2700 miles on it. I understand that I have a tube inside the rim ('09 Street Bob with spokes). So plug it? I will purchase a new tube. So I feel plugging it is safe since the tube is holding most of the pressure. Am I wrong on this? I would like all opinions.....even the smart *** ones.
The tire has 2700 miles on it. I understand that I have a tube inside the rim ('09 Street Bob with spokes). So plug it? I will purchase a new tube. So I feel plugging it is safe since the tube is holding most of the pressure. Am I wrong on this? I would like all opinions.....even the smart *** ones.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 188
Likes: 0
From: Ky
If its a small screw just pull it out and replace the tube, no plug. If its a large screw use a tire patch and replace the tube. If it looks to bad replace the tire, its the only thing between you and the road.
Sorry forgot the size of the screw in the tire. It is about 5/16 in size, and is inside the tread pattern.
Brandon, thanks for the response. I am looking at the process you stated; new tube (give at this point), determine if the hole is deemed manageable for a plug or just replace.
So would a 5/16 screw hole be deemed a manageable hole to plug?
Brandon, thanks for the response. I am looking at the process you stated; new tube (give at this point), determine if the hole is deemed manageable for a plug or just replace.
So would a 5/16 screw hole be deemed a manageable hole to plug?
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 398
Likes: 1
From: KCMO
Don't cut corners when talking bout tires. Only use patches. Plugs we're the way to go in a pinch, but there's a reason they patch and not plug anymore. Patches simply hold better. Definitely get a new tube as you said. Keep good rubber down!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,642
Likes: 1,985
From: Cleveland Zoo
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Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 517
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From: Northern Virginia
take the tire off the rim first and inspect - make sure none of the steel is poking in (especially since it was a screw and not a nail)
not to completely threadjack...but on a similar note - I just took delivery yesterday on a used (new to me) 09 street bob (1900 miles)...I bought it sight unseen and as it was coming off the truck I noticed the tires looked low. Turns out the front had about 6psi and the rear was about 16psi.... I pumped them both up (f/32, r/36) ...
my question is - could rolling around like that for probably a few months have damaged the tubes? I know the dealer (not a M/C dealer) wasn't driving it much, but no telling if they put 5 or 10+ miles on low pressure tires?
I wonder if it'd be safer to just have both tubes replaced in case they were so low they were shifting inside the tires and causing wear? Even though I like the look of spoked rims, I may switch to mags just so I have the option of plugs in the event of a flat out on the road.
not to completely threadjack...but on a similar note - I just took delivery yesterday on a used (new to me) 09 street bob (1900 miles)...I bought it sight unseen and as it was coming off the truck I noticed the tires looked low. Turns out the front had about 6psi and the rear was about 16psi.... I pumped them both up (f/32, r/36) ...
my question is - could rolling around like that for probably a few months have damaged the tubes? I know the dealer (not a M/C dealer) wasn't driving it much, but no telling if they put 5 or 10+ miles on low pressure tires?
I wonder if it'd be safer to just have both tubes replaced in case they were so low they were shifting inside the tires and causing wear? Even though I like the look of spoked rims, I may switch to mags just so I have the option of plugs in the event of a flat out on the road.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 11,483
Likes: 39
From: Passaic County, NJ
Personally, I'd replace both.
Our lives depend on only two tires being up to snuff. The tire is now breached and could become a real problem in the future.
This is just me. You can certainly take your life in your own hands.
Our lives depend on only two tires being up to snuff. The tire is now breached and could become a real problem in the future.
This is just me. You can certainly take your life in your own hands.