My Tire Patch Kit

I just thought I would post up what I carry on my bike for flat tire repair, it's packed in my tail bag for every ride and I've used it several times recently. It worked like a charm. :laugh:
I found a cheap plastic bodied air compressor at Wally World for less than $20 which is small and light along with a simple glue less plug kit. I modded the power cord end so that it plugs right into either of my two BMW type power outlets. These plugs are super sticky rope type plugs that need NO cement, I've been very happy with the results using them so far. Here's what I have boxed up and stored in my tail bag.
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My last use/need was at the 375 mile mark of my Fort Donelson ride last Dec. where I found a gash in the base of tread that was approximately 3/8"  long which took two plugs to seal, but 3 weeks later it's still holding full pressure after getting me safely home.
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Simple, cheap and effective!
What are you guys using/carrying if any?

I've got a Slime pump and rope plugs/tools. I use some glue on mine, though, just to be sure. Helps to have a very sharp knife to trim off the excess. That's where my Gerber multi-tool came in handy.

Used it once in Oregon, worked fine and lasted. Fortunately, I caught the offending sharp object while doing a tire inspection following a brisk :laugh:   ride with some like minded crazies. Nice to fix a puncture in the motel parking lot while drinking a beer offered by a fellow rider.

I need to find some sort of container/bag to hold everything together. Those reamers are pointy little devils. No room under the seat, and often not in the tankbag. Time for a new tailbag.

I was going to go out shopping this weekend for one of those air compressors, thanks for the suggestion. For flats I'm using a mushroom plug style kit. I know I've seen a site where someone disassembled the compressor in order to ditch the plastic body and save space, just keeping the guts.

[image: View Post]maddog, on Jan 16 2009, 07:20 PM, said:

Helps to have a very sharp knife to trim off the excess. That's where my Gerber multi-tool came in handy.
That's funny, I couldn't find anything sharp enough to cut the excess plugs off the tire.  I plan to carry a set of side cutters from now on! :laugh:

Cortech Sport tail bags are awesome and cheap at newenough.
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I carry a compressor that I got from autozone or somthing for less than 20 bucks thats supposed to plug into a car outlet but got an adapter with clamps so that I can hook it up right to my battery($5)and a plug kit that uses no cement and a pair of dikes to cut off the excess. From experience ive noticed that the plugs that use cement just seem to come out.  Started carrying my kit when I got a flat on the way to the airport during the holidays.  Just filled the tire with air at a gas station and parked at the airport to worry about when I came back because I was running a little late.  I put the kit in a backpack for now because of no tank bag yet.

[image: View Post]vfrcapn, on Jan 16 2009, 07:21 PM, said:

I was going to go out shopping this weekend for one of those air compressors, thanks for the suggestion. For flats I'm using a mushroom plug style kit. I know I've seen a site where someone disassembled the compressor in order to ditch the plastic body and save space, just keeping the guts.
After reading your post I went ahead and popped open the case to see what kind of space I might save and I don't think it's a worthwhile venture on this unit, here's a pic.
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The compressor unit is only 5 1/2x 4 1/2x 2 1/2 as is and I pack everything in a 7x7x3 cardboard box that easily fits if the tail bag. The whole thing weights maybe 1.5 lbs. :laugh:

A word of warning regarding tire plugs:

Don't use canned 'fix-a-flat' to try and improve an old plug that is starting to leak.  It is a long story that I won't bore you all with, but ultimately there was no damage and no injury.  The 'fix-a-flat' slime simply lubricated the plug, shot it out and I had sudden loss of all pressure at 80 mph while surrounded by semi-trailers.  Fortunately it was on the rear tire or I probably wouldn't be a current VFRD member.

Dave

Kevin,

I carry pretty much the same kit except for the pump.  It's a foot pump as the last few bikes I've had I've never gotten around to installing a dc outlet like I had on my last vtec.  Anyway, the foot pump takes about as long as the small electric compressors do but with a lot more muscle effort.  LOL  It's reasonably compact but not near as small as yours (I'm still talking about air compressors here folks!).  http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif  

I'll looke for that model the next time I'm at wallyworld.  BTW, I've read some threads were they took the plastic covers off and reduced the overall size even less.  Edit:  you all ready check!

I took my wally world/cheap/small type mini compressor out of it's plastic case to save on space.  Also took the on/off switch and pressure gauge off and beefed up the wires a little and made the wires just long enough to reach the front and rear tires to save on space and I have easy to use battery alligator clips on the wires.  Entire set up the size of my fist that I have in a stuff sack the same size with plug/patch kit.

I was at an auto parts place and they had the Slime unit which seemed about as small and compact as I could get so I picked that up. Comes with cigarette lighter plug, direct battery connects or alligator clips for the battery, plus about a 4' extension cord for all of the connectors. $29 at Autozone. I just added a cigarette lighter outlet to my tank bag for my cell phone/ipod/video camera charger, works great for this.

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I popped it open also to see if I could save some space but it just didn't seem to be worth it so I kept it together as a unit.

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My plug kit is the Aerostich mushroom style. I removed the CO2 canisters to save space and the Slime electrical wires fit right in. I do use glue with these mushroom plugs btw. I had a flat about a year and a half ago about 100 miles from home at 11pm at night, 40 degrees F, and 3 of my CO2 canisters only got the tire up to ~20 psi. Enough to get me a few miles to the next gas station but not good, especially if there hadn't been a service station nearby, which is why I've wanted to add a compressor.

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The Slime unit just barely fits under the seat. Aerostich kit is in the rear tail.

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Tire repair kit. Done.

I have a "Stop and go" tubless tire repair kit in my bikes tail (Its bag just fits in the small space right on top of the tail/brake lights), plus I got myself six 16 gram CO2 cartriges that go with a small inflator from a bicycle shop. The 4th's gen limited under seat space does not let me carry anything as big as an electric pump, plus, I do not like to stress my bike's electrics with it anytime.
I back my tire repair system with a small Yamaha aerosol can tire repair in my tank bag. That's only for when conditions will not allow me to stop long enough to do a proper tire plug installation with the "Stop and go" kit. The Yamaha aerosol stuff already saved me once already on my previous bike, when I picked up a big roofing nail. It acutally kept the tire air tight for the next year after the pundture, till I had to replace it because of tread wear.
My dad and older brother have had very good experience with the "Stop and go" tire repair kit and it was my brother that gave me the kit as a gift last year.

Beck
95 VFR

Has anyone tried to use a Stop n Go Engine-Air Pump as detailed on this page on a VFR?
http://www.stopngo.c...rcycle/1015.asp
I have one lol never tried it since it looked like it would be a pain the butt to use compared to the way I have gone and detailed on this page.
http://www.webbikewo...icles/air-pump/

I have the "Stop & Go" tire plugging kit and the Slime pump.  Only had to use it once and it got me home just fine.  Replaced the tire however as I did not feel the plug was safe for "spirited" riding.  I carry it in my Ventura sport bag on every ride.

[image: View Post]johnmark101, on Jan 18 2009, 11:17 AM, said:

I have the "Stop & Go" tire plugging kit and the Slime pump.  Only had to use it once and it got me home just fine.  Replaced the tire however as I did not feel the plug was safe for "spirited" riding.  I carry it in my Ventura sport bag on every ride.
Same setup here - only I haven't had to use mine yet. *knocks on wood*

I did use the pump once to bump my tire pressure.

BR has the right stuff.  I carry the same Campbell Hausfeld pump.  Walmart $10 and a plug kit.  I like the gummy rope type plugs used w/ glue.  I have had to use it 4 times in 4 years.  Rear tire goes flat in the middle of nowhere and I am back on the road in half an hour.  I soldered in a coax connector so I can connect to the same fused coax harness I connect my heated jacket controller or battery charger.  I have been riding 17k miles per year up to 2k miles from home.   It is great being self sufficient.

I have a fair amount of experience with flats between myself and my riding compatriots since we are high mileage riders. I have found the worms more effective than the mushrooms, especially with steel belted tires. The steel belts tend to cut the mushrooms leading to failure. I have also learned thru experience to not depend on CO2 cartridges. If your repair doesn"t work and all your CO2 is gone, you are out of luck.I always carry a Slime pump and worms.

I have a cheapy pump too (looks very much like Bailey's), as well as a simalar plug kit.  Great minds think alike?  I took the plastic off and cut the cig plug.  Saved some space.  

Haven't had to use it yet, but it's tested fine each time I check.  (Maybe once a month or so?)  It should do it's job though.

I have never used cement on the type of plugs I'm using (worms/strings/rope plugs?)  Do you guys have better luck using it along with the(non-glue) plugs. :laugh:

I carry the following...

Cycle Pump Combo Kit
� Adventure Model Cycle Pump
� Cords, Plug Adaptors- Standard & BMW style
� EZ Air Gauge
� Pocket Tire Plugger Kit

I've had to use the pump only once. Slow, but effective.