Plugging tires
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 168
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From: The Frozen North - Hastings Michigan
Plugging tires
Picked up a nail in the back tire while on vacation this last week. Put a tire plug in it to get by till I could get the tire replaced. Darn plug leaked, and tire went flat again the next day.
Put a different type of plug in, and tried again. This one held air better, but still leaked a little, It would loose about 10 lbs over night.
It was a little unnervingseeing how nothing was open over the long Holaday weekend, and of course I had to poke a hole in the tire on late saturday afternoon.
My question is ... Has anyone found a good tire plug kit that a person can dependon?Somthingthat would work at least long enough to make it home on,or toa dealer or Indy for a replacment tire. I'm notthe gambling type, I wouldn't leave a tire with a plug in it on my biketill the tire wore out,but when on the road, it'snice not to be stranded with a flat.
I'm also looking for a compact air pump. Those co2 canisters just don't cut it when you have a leaky plug.
So guys, what's out there?
G wizz
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
RE: Plugging tires
i've always had good luck with the standard tire plug kit. but then again, i've never had to plug a bike tire (knock on wood). i have had flats before, but they were on my other bike with laced wheels. now that can be a real pita in the middle of bfe!!
for a compressor, you can get a pretty small one from wally world that runs about 10 bucks. take it out of the plastic casing and its really small. not the fastest in the world, but hey, if you've got a flat, where would you be going anyway?
for a compressor, you can get a pretty small one from wally world that runs about 10 bucks. take it out of the plastic casing and its really small. not the fastest in the world, but hey, if you've got a flat, where would you be going anyway?
Cruiser
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
From: Pinehurst NC
RE: Plugging tires
see if u can find a "black jack" tire repair kit....I sell them at the john deere store where i work...work great...heavy stainless steel handle...great kit...if u cant find one, lemm know...i can ups u a kit...bout $40 for the kit...but will last a lifetime...carry one in every vehicle i have...
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
From: Northern Virginia
RE: Plugging tires
As socalmoe and anubisss mentioned, you have to use one of the plug types which uses cement - and then use plenty of that - in order to get a repair that doesn't leak. Some of the plug kit types (like the popular Stop 'N Go) keep the plug in place by friction and air pressure. They will leak slowly as a normal course.
The difference is that the cement-type plugs can be a little sketchier to use - a lot of guys don't ream the hole out large enough and then have trouble getting the plug inserted. The friction-type plugs tend to be a little easier to use, especially by guys who are doing it on the side of the road for the first time.
Carrying an air compressor takes a lot of worry out of the equation. One stays permanently ensconced in my saddlebag.
The difference is that the cement-type plugs can be a little sketchier to use - a lot of guys don't ream the hole out large enough and then have trouble getting the plug inserted. The friction-type plugs tend to be a little easier to use, especially by guys who are doing it on the side of the road for the first time.
Carrying an air compressor takes a lot of worry out of the equation. One stays permanently ensconced in my saddlebag.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,847
Likes: 0
From: Missouri
RE: Plugging tires
I have a StopNGo tire plug kit. I have only used it on a old tire in my garage but I'm really impressed with how it works. The plug is a mushroom shape and the head of the mushroom is on the inside of the tire. It looks to me like it would be the best type of plug for a temp fix. I'm just not sure about using it long term but if I was going to us one it would be one of these. http://www.stopngo.com/
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,675
Likes: 95
From: Billings,Mt.
RE: Plugging tires
ORIGINAL: G wizz
Has anyone found a good tire plug kit that a person can dependon?
Has anyone found a good tire plug kit that a person can dependon?