Tire plug
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,118
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From: Marion Ill
Tire plug
Has anyone ever plugged one of there tires? I recently found what looks like a nail right in the middle of the tread on my rear. Its still holding air fine now, but I dont want to keep on it with that in the tire. Can you just plug the tire like you do a car tire? or is that tire shot?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,525
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From: Wheeling, WV
Well, when you say right in the middle of the tread, is that right in the middle of the groove or the meat of the tread? Anyway, you could always have the nail removed, patch the inside of the tire and have a tube thrown in the tire. Matter of fact, I just got a screw right in the groove of my brand new rear Avon a couple days ago. The rear felt a little too cushiony, and sure enough the tire was low. I just tightened up the screw, filled it back up to proper specs for now, & been riding. Gotta remove the tire soon, and take it to have a tube thrown in it. Some people will plug'em, but most Indies/HD shops will not due to liability reasons.
Last edited by WVHogRider; Jun 17, 2009 at 11:19 AM.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 120
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From: Dover, New Jersey
You didn't mention if you had mag wheels or spoke. Spoke rims have tubes. Even if they are tubeless tires I wouldn't risk it. Bike tires go through a lot of flexing. It wouldn't take too much flexing for the belts in the tire to cut through the plug. Unlike a car, you don't have three other tires to keep you under control. I would replace the tire.
Well, when you say right in the middle of the tread, is that right in the middle of the groove or the meat of the tread? Anyway, you could always have the nail removed, patch the inside of the tire and have a tube thrown in the tire. Matter of fact, I just got a screw right in the groove of my brand new rear Avon a couple days ago. The rear felt a little too cushiony, and sure enough the tire was low. Gotta remove the tire now, and take it to have a tube thrown in it. Some people will plug'em, but most Indies/HD shops will not due to liability reasons.
Last edited by vet767; Jun 17, 2009 at 11:22 AM.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,525
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From: Wheeling, WV
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,387
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From: Saint George, Utah
I'm going to agree with WVHogRider. Patch the inside of the tire and throw a tube in there and you will be fine. Don't ever just plug it (unless its an emergency from point A to point B), you only have two tires keeping you attached to the road rightside up.
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Road Master
Joined: Jan 2008
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Has anyone ever plugged one of there tires? I recently found what looks like a nail right in the middle of the tread on my rear. Its still holding air fine now, but I dont want to keep on it with that in the tire. Can you just plug the tire like you do a car tire? or is that tire shot?
Yes and no.
Some folks will tell you that a properly patched tire can safely be ridden through the entire tread depth and they have plenty of examples to prove they are right.
Other folks will tell you that a tire that has been properly patched cannot be ridden safely and they have plenty of examples to prove that they are right.
You'll hear both sides of the argument here and they're both right. What should you, personally, do? You won't get a correct answer for that here. It's all about what level of risk you're willing to accept.
Personally, I plug the hole just long enough to get to a dealership for a new tire. BUT, have road hazard protection on my tires and they're replaced free of charge provided there is sufficient tread depth. (I have had three tires replaced 'free' to date under this program)
I carry, at all times, a Stop-N-Go tire plug kit and Slime mini tire inflator for just such an occassion. I have never ridden more than about 70 miles or so on a plug and I've never had an issue.
Properly patching a tire requires removing it from the rim and applying a hot patch to the inside.
Tube tires, though, are a different ball of wax.
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I have plugged quite a few motorcycle tires although there are varied opinions on this subject. I have never had a problem as a result of doing this. i have never taken the tire off to plug it either although that is the preferred method.
