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I usually like to do a dry run on new things I might have to deal with on a road trip. So it is with the tire plug repair kit. I put a hole in an old tire, reamed it out and then attempted to insert a plug in it using a T handle tool. It was possible but lord livin' harry talk about difficult. I'm not sure I could do it by the side of the road. Am I missing something here? Should the tire be partially inflated? Any secrets gratefully accepted.
Hopefully you lubed the hole with some rubber cement glue. What tire plug where you using, one of the gummy rope styles? If you do not lube them with rubber cement they can be difficult to insert.
Ream the hole very liberally. It seems counterintuitive but the hole needs to be big enough for the plug. Some swear by rubber cement as lube, I apply a generous amount of spit. A buddy of mine carries a tube of beeswax lip balm in his tire kit - not sure how well that'll work out but he swears by it.
Push the plug straight in and twist once before pulling the tool back out sharply.
Someone will tell me I'm wrong but that's worked for me for eons - even on thin sportbike tires.
As CoolBreeze3646 asked, what kind of plug were you using? Good call on giving it a dry run by the way, I have a mushroom type plug kit and was very glad I tried it out before I needed it out on the road. I suspect every plug type will have it's particular quarks, knowledge is best gained through hands-on experience and it's a sweet thing to be confident in such situations!
Hopefully you lubed the hole with some rubber cement glue. What tire plug where you using, one of the gummy rope styles? If you do not lube them with rubber cement they can be difficult to insert.
Was it a standard string plug with a T Handle tool?
If so....use the vehicle weight to help you if it is too difficult.
Basically hold tool in place between street and tire as you pull vehicle backwards slowly.
Much harder to do when the tire is on the motorcycle, especially on the rear tire.
I suspect most advocates have never actually tried it while on the side of the road.
Probably more common than you realize. I ride with a small circle of friends and most of us have plugged a tire or three on the side of the road. My last one was at a gas station, trying to get home before snow covered the road too much. Cold hands make it more fun.
Originally Posted by davekp
Much harder to do when the tire is on the motorcycle, especially on the rear tire.
I suspect most advocates have never actually tried it while on the side of the road.
Much harder to do when the tire is on the motorcycle, especially on the rear tire.
I suspect most advocates have never actually tried it while on the side of the road.
I disagree, not that bad to plug when on the bike... given you can get access to the rear tire. On my dyna plugging the tire was pretty dang easy because of how little rear fender is.
Trying to plug a flat tire/ tire with no air in it is difficult as the tire pulls in on itself too much and pinches the plug and your tool.
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Tire plug kit
