Patch or replace tube?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,543
Likes: 6,419
From: Honah Lee
You'll need more then tire irons unless ridding it that brief period broke the bead.
I took three rims and removed the old tires off to sale the rims on eBay.
What a pain. I call ahead to get a price. Take the wheel off saves a little bit but call ahead and get the name of who gives that price to you.
Only real balance is a dynamic balance with stuck on weights. Those spoke weights are not much if it's dynamically out of balance.
I personally would never patch a tube or patch or plug a motorcycle tire .
And that's straight advice from most of the name brand tire companies.
I took three rims and removed the old tires off to sale the rims on eBay.
What a pain. I call ahead to get a price. Take the wheel off saves a little bit but call ahead and get the name of who gives that price to you.
Only real balance is a dynamic balance with stuck on weights. Those spoke weights are not much if it's dynamically out of balance.
I personally would never patch a tube or patch or plug a motorcycle tire .
And that's straight advice from most of the name brand tire companies.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Oct 21, 2023 at 09:17 PM.
Thread Starter
|
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 692
Likes: 459
From: Southern Indiana
Thanks for all the input. Sounds like patching a tube is a poor idea as well as trying to dismount the tire myself. I will pull the wheel and inspect the tire for damage and see if it is a puncture or valve stem and order a new tube, then take it to dealer or Indy to install the tube and rebalance.
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,115
Likes: 51,405
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Tubes are hard to find, everybody is out of them. I've patched many through the years on bikes through truck tires with zero issues. Depending on age and condition patch it, just use a good kit.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 2,718
Likes: 1,822
From: In a house
As already stated if a new tube is available get it and be done with it just because it's easier. That being said there's nothing wrong with a plug/patch as long as it's done properly.
As far as manufacturers saying not to plug/patch???? Probably has nothing to do with pure CYA from their legal beagles and the fact that they make $0 compared to buying a new tire huh???? Anyone with half an ounce of common sense can safely do it and sleep well at night. There are times when new is the right answer. Always new or never patch/plug is just the sheep mentality or someone who needs a common sense injection or both.
As far as manufacturers saying not to plug/patch???? Probably has nothing to do with pure CYA from their legal beagles and the fact that they make $0 compared to buying a new tire huh???? Anyone with half an ounce of common sense can safely do it and sleep well at night. There are times when new is the right answer. Always new or never patch/plug is just the sheep mentality or someone who needs a common sense injection or both.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 7,146
From: Las Vegas
As already stated if a new tube is available get it and be done with it just because it's easier. That being said there's nothing wrong with a plug/patch as long as it's done properly.
As far as manufacturers saying not to plug/patch???? Probably has nothing to do with pure CYA from their legal beagles and the fact that they make $0 compared to buying a new tire huh???? Anyone with half an ounce of common sense can safely do it and sleep well at night. There are times when new is the right answer. Always new or never patch/plug is just the sheep mentality or someone who needs a common sense injection or both.
As far as manufacturers saying not to plug/patch???? Probably has nothing to do with pure CYA from their legal beagles and the fact that they make $0 compared to buying a new tire huh???? Anyone with half an ounce of common sense can safely do it and sleep well at night. There are times when new is the right answer. Always new or never patch/plug is just the sheep mentality or someone who needs a common sense injection or both.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 1,488
Likes: 1,151
From: Long Island
Working on bicycles, I was finding the patches wouldn’t get a good bond.
I was suspecting the tubes were something other than rubber, maybe the cement.
Have tried multiple kits w poor results.
As a kid, those patch repairs were almost foolproof.
New tubes been having leaks at seams, poor quality valves.
I was suspecting the tubes were something other than rubber, maybe the cement.
Have tried multiple kits w poor results.
As a kid, those patch repairs were almost foolproof.
New tubes been having leaks at seams, poor quality valves.
Last edited by GBHH; Oct 22, 2023 at 08:21 AM.
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 514
Likes: 134
From: Clayton,N.J.
Finally had my first flat tire, at over 70 yrs. old, guess it had to happen sometime. I went to roll the bike out for a ride, on one of the few nice days left this season, and instantly realized something was wrong. A quick inspection revealed the rear tire was flat and tire gauge revealed 0 PSI air pressure. I rode a few days ago and topped off the air pressure before riding. Did not notice any low tire when I got home and parked in the garage. I consider myself a very fortunate person and once again that proved to be true. To find a flat tire at home, in the garage, is a way better scenario than any other I can imagine.
My question is; Do people still patch inner tubes? or should I just replace the tube? My first thought is to do it myself and patch the tube. I can remove and reinstall the rear tire. I would have to buy a patch kit or tube and a set of tire irons to remove the tire. I have not done that before but believe I could accomplish it.
My local dealer installed the tire and tube and balanced the wheel for $60.00 I expect they would want the same just to replace the tube. I'm beginning to think that it would be smarter to just take the wheel to the dealer or local Indy and let them do it vs. my buying the tire irons that I may never use again.
My question is; Do people still patch inner tubes? or should I just replace the tube? My first thought is to do it myself and patch the tube. I can remove and reinstall the rear tire. I would have to buy a patch kit or tube and a set of tire irons to remove the tire. I have not done that before but believe I could accomplish it.
My local dealer installed the tire and tube and balanced the wheel for $60.00 I expect they would want the same just to replace the tube. I'm beginning to think that it would be smarter to just take the wheel to the dealer or local Indy and let them do it vs. my buying the tire irons that I may never use again.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 10,186
Likes: 17,837
From: In a van down by the river
I'm a firm believer in peace of mind when it comes to certain things, especially when it's the cost of a tube vs cost of a tire, new tube, patch the tire, ride on.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9,207
Likes: 372
From: Central Illinois, Between I-80 and I-74
Dismounting the tire isn't a bad job especially on a tubed tire. Check the tire, rim and rim band for whatever damaged the tube. I wouldn't be afraid to patch but I'd replace the tube just because they aren't expensive relative to the amount of work. (If the tire is getting close I'd replace it too).
Last edited by piasspj; Oct 22, 2023 at 03:25 PM.