Tire plug kit
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 518
Likes: 593
From: Central Iowa
Yes, I found that the lube these plugs come coated with sometimes just wasn't enough. The head on the plug would fold over and distort in the applicator tube when the plunger started forcing the plug through that little tube. I think just about anything with a bit of "slip" would work. Spit on it if there's nothing else available.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 5,465
Likes: 6,328
From: pacific northwest
Yes, I found that the lube these plugs come coated with sometimes just wasn't enough. The head on the plug would fold over and distort in the applicator tube when the plunger started forcing the plug through that little tube. I think just about anything with a bit of "slip" would work. Spit on it if there's nothing else available.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 399
From: Vancouver, BC
yeah, I'm sorry about your butt hurt. No insult was intended.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,256
Likes: 522
From: USA
The quality of the reamer and plug insert tools are assets.
I have had better luck with "string" type over mushroom type plugs.
Vulcanizing cement is highly recommended as plug lubrication and to seal the final repair.
The "trick" to over-inflate the tire so the plug inserting is easier can be a good trick.
Whether a 12-volt battery or engine spark plug/ cylinder air pump is best, I have no comment; but CO2 cartridges would be my last choice for air.
Flats suck and roadside repairs are not so much fun either.
Mentioned was the "new" screw-in plug.
I have never used these, yet could be efficient; I am curious.
I have had better luck with "string" type over mushroom type plugs.
Vulcanizing cement is highly recommended as plug lubrication and to seal the final repair.
The "trick" to over-inflate the tire so the plug inserting is easier can be a good trick.
Whether a 12-volt battery or engine spark plug/ cylinder air pump is best, I have no comment; but CO2 cartridges would be my last choice for air.
Flats suck and roadside repairs are not so much fun either.
Mentioned was the "new" screw-in plug.
I have never used these, yet could be efficient; I am curious.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 7,145
From: Las Vegas
No matter what type of plug you choose, it's not a good time fixing a flat if the plug dried out and is no good when you need it. If you want a shelf life for them to be nearly as long as a Twinkie, vacuum seal them before you put them in your kit. Same goes for the little tubes of rubber cement.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 8,001
Likes: 6,901
From: NC
No matter what type of plug you choose, it's not a good time fixing a flat if the plug dried out and is no good when you need it. If you want a shelf life for them to be nearly as long as a Twinkie, vacuum seal them before you put them in your kit. Same goes for the little tubes of rubber cement.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 479
Likes: 318
From: FL winter, northern MI summer
I'm a magnet for stray nails/screws, even my lawnmower has a plug in one of the tires.
I thought I was going to get by with no plugs in my Fatboy this time, as its getting close to being worn out, but a couple weeks ago, I noticed I picked up a small nail, and plugged it.
Then, yesterday I noticed a silver spot on the same tire, it must have been there a long time because it was another small nail, but the head was completely worn off. I was dropping a pound or two of air pressure every couple weeks for quite a while, which wasn't enough to think I picked something up.
Both nails were about the same size, makes me wonder if I picked them up at the same time. The one nail the head was gone, the other about half gone.
When I plugged it yesterday I was thinking of this thread, and over inflated to try the above suggestion, but when I reamed it, all the air was gone before I could get the plug in, so that didn't work for me.
I don't know how many plugs I have used over my lifetime, I get the cheap tarred chord kits from Walmart or Harbor Frieght, and every plug has lasted the remaining life of the tire. I have never had one fail.
I thought I was going to get by with no plugs in my Fatboy this time, as its getting close to being worn out, but a couple weeks ago, I noticed I picked up a small nail, and plugged it.
Then, yesterday I noticed a silver spot on the same tire, it must have been there a long time because it was another small nail, but the head was completely worn off. I was dropping a pound or two of air pressure every couple weeks for quite a while, which wasn't enough to think I picked something up.
Both nails were about the same size, makes me wonder if I picked them up at the same time. The one nail the head was gone, the other about half gone.
When I plugged it yesterday I was thinking of this thread, and over inflated to try the above suggestion, but when I reamed it, all the air was gone before I could get the plug in, so that didn't work for me.
I don't know how many plugs I have used over my lifetime, I get the cheap tarred chord kits from Walmart or Harbor Frieght, and every plug has lasted the remaining life of the tire. I have never had one fail.
Last edited by Kenelz; Feb 6, 2025 at 07:56 PM.
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