Air pumps/compressors
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Club Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 460
Likes: 18
From: Rhode Island/Pensacola Florida
Air pumps/compressors
Ten of us will be riding to Sturgis from Rhode Island this summer and I will be leading the trip. I was wondering about emergency roadside flat repair. I don't won't to start the "ride with a plugged tire or never ride with a plugged tire" discussion, but in an emergency situation riding with a plugged tire will work. I was wondering about the mini air compressors with a 12V adapter. Will the compressor work with the cigarette lighter on an Electra Glide Classic? Has anyone ever had to plug a tire while out on the road?
The cost is cheap enough with the Slime Compressors going for about $15 @ Wal-Mart and the plug kit about $7. Just thought it would be a worth while investment since we will be riding about 6,000 miles total with many of those miles in the middle of no where. All of us have the Roadside Insurance plan but that could take hours, so why not fix it and go.
The cost is cheap enough with the Slime Compressors going for about $15 @ Wal-Mart and the plug kit about $7. Just thought it would be a worth while investment since we will be riding about 6,000 miles total with many of those miles in the middle of no where. All of us have the Roadside Insurance plan but that could take hours, so why not fix it and go.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 922
Likes: 1
From: Riverside, TX
I think if I was going that far I would do it....it's hell being in the middle of no where and stranded. I would think it would be ok as a temp fix.
ps....pack toilet paper too!!! never know when you may need it.
ps....pack toilet paper too!!! never know when you may need it.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,200
Likes: 3,089
From: NW AR
If you spent $30K on your bike, why would you only spend $15 on the air compressor? Man, that's just foolish. You need a Genuine HD air compressor for $150 or you're some kind of cheap-azz pu$$y.
Sorry, couldn't help myself. Just had to beat someone to it. Yeah, a tire plug kit and a small cheap air compressor are great. It should run off your cigarette lighter plug, no problem. I run mine off a line to my battery with a fuse in series as my bike didn't come with a lighter or accessory plug. I use it to air up the air mattress. Just turn it on and come back in 20-30 minutes when it's done. And I've run a plug in a tire for a couple thousand miles. Maybe I just like to live on the ragged edge.
Sorry, couldn't help myself. Just had to beat someone to it. Yeah, a tire plug kit and a small cheap air compressor are great. It should run off your cigarette lighter plug, no problem. I run mine off a line to my battery with a fuse in series as my bike didn't come with a lighter or accessory plug. I use it to air up the air mattress. Just turn it on and come back in 20-30 minutes when it's done. And I've run a plug in a tire for a couple thousand miles. Maybe I just like to live on the ragged edge.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 466
Likes: 0
From: Ontario, Canada
I carry a small Slime air compressor (hooks to battery) and a Victor patch kit in the saddlebag during the riding season. We don't venture more than 150-200 mi. or so from home but if I need it I got it...you never know when it will be necessary to fix-a-flat to get you home again.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,241
Likes: 7
From: Daytona, Fla.
They work just fine......if you have a 4 cyl. motor. They'll work on a twin, but you're runnin' on one cylinder & they take forever. The little 12V pumps are a better solution.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 6,086
Likes: 1,128
From:
i did this to a cheap store bought compressor and have used it for a flat and also just to air up tires..Note these compressors are slow and will get hot. It will take several minutes to air-up a dead tire.(about 5 min. ?)..carry fuses because you may blow an acc. fuse if compressor gets overly hot...the good thing about a compressor is that you have unlimited air..can air-up several times if needed.
http://www.webbikeworld.com/Motorcyc...cles/air-pump/
http://www.webbikeworld.com/Motorcyc...cles/air-pump/
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,033
Likes: 29
I robbed the guts outta one of those cheapo 12v compressors that you find in the auto section for about 10 bucks. I carry that along with a plug kit in a zip up bank bag. I have never used it on my bike, but have amazed more than one stranded rider on the ride who had a nail in a tubeless tire.
You might also consider investing in an emergency belt for your trip. I carry one and figure that since I spent 100 bucks on it, my belt will never break.....LOL.
You might also consider investing in an emergency belt for your trip. I carry one and figure that since I spent 100 bucks on it, my belt will never break.....LOL.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,530
Likes: 607
From: Raleigh NC
I never understood, WHY anyone would think that handling a hot plug was such a great idea?
Anyway... I have one of those SLIME compressors, I just plug into the cig lighter/power port, and pump up. I carry one of those auto-zone tire plug kits as well.
I'd rather not NEED it, but, I got it.... just in case
Anyway... I have one of those SLIME compressors, I just plug into the cig lighter/power port, and pump up. I carry one of those auto-zone tire plug kits as well.
I'd rather not NEED it, but, I got it.... just in case
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 833
Likes: 0
I just had this problem on the way back from Daytona Bike Week
I ran over something on the rode it punched a hole in my rear tire, it went flat @ 80 mph, it wobbled but the slower I got the worse it got. I finally make to to the side of the rode and then have to walk the bike up a hill, down a hill into a parking lot in Valdosta GA. The local bike shop owner came out and tried to get my tire back on the rim ( I plugged the tire anticipating I could get it back on the rim, left side bead broke loose from rim) but it was impossible, he worked on it for two hours, he was a great guy didn't charge me a dime, they call him Ratt, I really apperciated him. I ended up calling Tifton Harley 60 miles up the road and had to get it towed in, that cost $190.00, then got to the shop and left the bike (it was after hours, lucky they waited on me)I satyed the night in a motel 6 ($54.00)and they put a new tire on the next morning for $286.00. Then to top it off I let one of those pretty little Harley girls sell me a pair of $125.00 riding glasses. I had no roadside asst. but I will before I take off again. You might need a rachet strap to help with puting tire back on the rim, I hear that works, I did not have one. Also if you have to be towed something I thought of after the fact was I should have rented a Uhaul, it would have been a lot cheaper. Just my experience with that.
Ten of us will be riding to Sturgis from Rhode Island this summer and I will be leading the trip. I was wondering about emergency roadside flat repair. I don't won't to start the "ride with a plugged tire or never ride with a plugged tire" discussion, but in an emergency situation riding with a plugged tire will work. I was wondering about the mini air compressors with a 12V adapter. Will the compressor work with the cigarette lighter on an Electra Glide Classic? Has anyone ever had to plug a tire while out on the road?
The cost is cheap enough with the Slime Compressors going for about $15 @ Wal-Mart and the plug kit about $7. Just thought it would be a worth while investment since we will be riding about 6,000 miles total with many of those miles in the middle of no where. All of us have the Roadside Insurance plan but that could take hours, so why not fix it and go.
The cost is cheap enough with the Slime Compressors going for about $15 @ Wal-Mart and the plug kit about $7. Just thought it would be a worth while investment since we will be riding about 6,000 miles total with many of those miles in the middle of no where. All of us have the Roadside Insurance plan but that could take hours, so why not fix it and go.
Last edited by Darth Vader; Mar 18, 2009 at 02:25 AM.