flat tires
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 100
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From:
flat tires
I know most people just call a tow service (aaa etc) if you have a flat on the road, but is there anyone who is prepared to fix a flat themselves? If so how do you handle getting a big bike up to get the tube out? just curious.....
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 11,317
Likes: 11
From: Tucson, Az
RE: flat tires
I don't. My bike (1200 C) came with a tubeless rear and a tubed front. When I bent the front rim of my laced wheel I replaced it with a cast wheel and made both the front and rear tubeless. Now I carry my stop-'n-go plug gun and CO2 cartridges and have alot more peace of mind.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 694
Likes: 0
From: Northern, NJ
RE: flat tires
ORIGINAL: petemac
Don't think trying to get a tube out on the road is realistic. My take is if it can't be fixed with some sort of "flat fix" kit, it's time to call for a tow.
Don't think trying to get a tube out on the road is realistic. My take is if it can't be fixed with some sort of "flat fix" kit, it's time to call for a tow.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 4,022
Likes: 3
From: Hudson Valley- NY
RE: flat tires
Replacing a tube on the road without some sort of stand or lift to get the tire off the ground is nearly impossible. About the only way to do that is to lay the bike over on something so you can get to the axle nuts and then pull the axle and wheel. Then you need a set of tire spoons to release the bead, pull the tube out, and on and on. You run the risk of scratching expensive chrome, paint,etc.
Tubeless in my mind is a preferred way to go because unless they're torn, a small hole can be plugged pretty quickly and the tire reinflated to get you back on your way until you can get the tire replaced if necessary.
Many metric bikes still have some sort of center stand, but I don't know of anyone who has one for a Harley.
Tubeless in my mind is a preferred way to go because unless they're torn, a small hole can be plugged pretty quickly and the tire reinflated to get you back on your way until you can get the tire replaced if necessary.
Many metric bikes still have some sort of center stand, but I don't know of anyone who has one for a Harley.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,934
Likes: 2
From: Reading, PA
RE: flat tires
ORIGINAL: Nostalgic07
I agree, That's why I am thinking about aftermarket wheels,... like the look of spokes, but don't enjoy cleaning them or worried about getting flats on the road!!
ORIGINAL: petemac
Don't think trying to get a tube out on the road is realistic. My take is if it can't be fixed with some sort of "flat fix" kit, it's time to call for a tow.
Don't think trying to get a tube out on the road is realistic. My take is if it can't be fixed with some sort of "flat fix" kit, it's time to call for a tow.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 9,335
Likes: 13
From: MA
RE: flat tires
I hear ya. I love the look of my laced spoke wheels, but I also worry about getting stranded in the middle of nowhere with a flat and no cell phone coverage.
ORIGINAL: Nostalgic07
I agree, That's why I am thinking about aftermarket wheels,... like the look of spokes, but don't enjoy cleaning them or worried about getting flats on the road!!
ORIGINAL: petemac
Don't think trying to get a tube out on the road is realistic. My take is if it can't be fixed with some sort of "flat fix" kit, it's time to call for a tow.
Don't think trying to get a tube out on the road is realistic. My take is if it can't be fixed with some sort of "flat fix" kit, it's time to call for a tow.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,558
Likes: 280
From: Russellville, Arkansas
RE: flat tires
I've been sucessful only ONE time in a tire repair on the side of the road. I think it was in 1986......and my 1979 FL decided it wanted to go flat on me.
I got lucky enough that it broke the bead on the right side...close to where it was leaking at. I was just barely able to pull that part of the tube out and repair the hole. I had a small kit with patches in my saddle bags. I fixed the hole....but was unable to put air in the tire. So, I waited......
I don't know how long I waited.....but evenutually a convoy of National Guard guys came along. They stopped pretty close to me....and I ended up getting air from one of the Duce's.
Since that day....I don't ride with spokes out of town.
I got lucky enough that it broke the bead on the right side...close to where it was leaking at. I was just barely able to pull that part of the tube out and repair the hole. I had a small kit with patches in my saddle bags. I fixed the hole....but was unable to put air in the tire. So, I waited......
I don't know how long I waited.....but evenutually a convoy of National Guard guys came along. They stopped pretty close to me....and I ended up getting air from one of the Duce's.
Since that day....I don't ride with spokes out of town.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 25,962
Likes: 9,761
From: Montana & Arkansas
RE: flat tires
I'm tubeless, so carry the plug kit and CO2 inflator with a hand-full more cartridges than are needed for a fill.
If you are tubeless and don't know how to plug, see if a shop might let you stop in when they are getting ready to do a tire replacement and maybe they'll let you run a nail in an old unit and then repair it yourself.
If you are tubeless and don't know how to plug, see if a shop might let you stop in when they are getting ready to do a tire replacement and maybe they'll let you run a nail in an old unit and then repair it yourself.
