external tire plugging

Tire Gremlins are a constant battle for some more than others. I've gone 2 years with no flat, and then I go years with flat every 3 months.

One of the most unique items that came out was the stop and go external mushroom kit, either in a manual tool insert or Gun type insert. The tool works so well the gun is more gimmick iMO.

But on the net you'll hear how well they work ,even permanent. I've probably been through about a dosen of these plugs last few years. The only time, I've had one last the life of the tire, was in between a treadblock on side of the tire. If there's any road contact, dont expect this plug to last more than 500 mile, and maybe not even that long.

Prior to this method, I tried the worms, and had one about back out at the 50 mile mark.

My last flat was on a brand new proad 2, at 400 mile mark. I decided to leave the penetrant in and just slime it as a test, and the penetrant was in so deep and sideways, I'd destroy the tire in trying to get it out. Didnt work out well leaked all the time.

So, I came across the Slime tire worms, and these are larger and much stiffer and stickier than other worms I've used previously whiich I felt were flimsy. So I drill through the hole, and I dont know where that penetrant went, but it was a clean hole, so I tried one of the slime worms. I'm really impressed at how tight these fit. In with dealing with kronic leakage over the past few thousand miles, These worms have done the trick and holding strong , several hundred miles plus rain ride, not lost a drop. So I'm hopeful

Whats your experiences with external plugging?

I've only used the Slime brand worms and I've had to use a couple, and I've been very pleased. They're kind of hard to cut smoothly off at the tread surface but I've never had one that backed out that I could tell.

I would never run a plug permanently. A plug is something you use to get you somewhere to get your tire replaced. You are seriously jeopardizing your safety riding on plugs.

[image: View Post]spud786, on 11 December 2009 - 09:39 PM, said:

Tire Gremlins are a constant battle for some more than others. I've gone 2 years with no flat, and then I go years with flat every 3 months.

One of the most unique items that came out was the stop and go external mushroom kit, either in a manual tool insert or Gun type insert. The tool works so well the gun is more gimmick iMO.

But on the net you'll hear how well they work ,even permanent. I've probably been through about a dosen of these plugs last few years. The only time, I've had one last the life of the tire, was in between a treadblock on side of the tire. If there's any road contact, dont expect this plug to last more than 500 mile, and maybe not even that long.

Prior to this method, I tried the worms, and had one about back out at the 50 mile mark.

My last flat was on a brand new proad 2, at 400 mile mark. I decided to leave the penetrant in and just slime it as a test, and the penetrant was in so deep and sideways, I'd destroy the tire in trying to get it out. Didnt work out well leaked all the time.

So, I came across the Slime tire worms, and these are larger and much stiffer and stickier than other worms I've used previously whiich I felt were flimsy. So I drill through the hole, and I dont know where that penetrant went, but it was a clean hole, so I tried one of the slime worms. I'm really impressed at how tight these fit. In with dealing with kronic leakage over the past few thousand miles, These worms have done the trick and holding strong , several hundred miles plus rain ride, not lost a drop. So I'm hopeful

Whats your experiences with external plugging?

Sounds good... I have a stop and go with gun, and have used it but it did have a slow leak so I changed the tyre out.... But I bought some glue, and was thinking that if I tried the stop and go and used some glue as well it might work better, but I haven't had the need to try it.... I was wondering if you have tried it with glue?

Used the Stop 'n Go kit on a BT016 rear after it took a 1.5" finishing nail. Not sure how that thing managed to insert itself, it just did. Pulled out the offending road detritus, the air leaked out, reamed out the hole with the kit tool as the tire flattened itself, inserted the mushroom plug, pumped up the tire with the Slime compact compressor, and all was good.

The tire has not lost any air after the plug insertion. I plan to ride it another thousand miles or so until end of life for the tire. Mind you this will be commuting, or just putzing around with no railing involved, so I feel pretty confident with the repair. But, I'm sure there will be conflicting opinions. Oh yeah, ATTGATT!

[image: View Post]Gap Trash, on 11 December 2009 - 09:49 PM, said:

I would never run a plug permanently. A plug is something you use to get you somewhere to get your tire replaced. You are seriously jeopardizing your safety riding on plugs.


Personal anecdote of a repair that went really bad? I haven't known anyone personally (or even a 3-degree knowledge) that had a problem worse than leaking. I understand if you cut the cords (most penetrations just move them aside), you might have an issue.

I have had good luck with the worms, but not much need (knock on my fake wood desk)

[image: View Post]spud786, on 11 December 2009 - 08:39 PM, said:

Whats your experiences with external plugging?


I've had good luck with the gummi worms, sticky string, safety seal, or whatever you call them. I haven't tried the Slime version but I currently have some generic ones that are thicker than usual. Almost too thick to pull through the plugging tool. I'll plug a tire and run it down to cords without a second thought. Clean the hole as much as possible and use lots of rubber cement for a good seal. I've used them on car tires for several thousand miles.

http://www.off-road.com/toyota/tech/safetyseal/2.jpg

[image: View Post]Gap Trash, on 11 December 2009 - 07:49 PM, said:

I would never run a plug permanently. A plug is something you use to get you somewhere to get your tire replaced. You are seriously jeopardizing your safety riding on plugs.

Can you please post some reason why you believe this? I've run plugs in tires literally for years with no problems. Please direct me to a study or any data that would make me do otherwise. I'm not sure taking the tire companies word for it is enough.
Leo Smith

Guys,
I have the stopN Go in my bike tool bag and the gun at home. The times I have used the bike kit with the plugs
it was as a way to get home. Tire was low on air but luckily I was on my ST1300 and one bag is for tools...and air pump....so we were good to go. everyg as station has the worms and some the plug w/ an adhesive on them.....
The one we plugged we rode back home almost 100 miles and checked once held air.....I even used one on my 07 pick up...caught a nail...it leaked down every month.....aggravating replaced the tires....Whether or not the plugs are good or not is academic.....if I'm 100 miles from home I can get back then decide whether to repair from the inside with a inside to the outside plug/patch directly to the inside of the tire......I never had any success with the others so....any one else..
Rod

Mushroom type plugs work the best in my opinion. Thumper8 used them on a long trip a few years back so I bought some and have never had to used them.

I seem to have the amazing ability to pickup a nail within 500 miles of my tires being new ALMOST every damn tire.

I stopped replacing them and just patched them myself with the string style patch shown a couple of posts above and I've never had an issue even with leaking air. Granted I don't ride hard but I have yet to have an issue with a self patch.

All my friends know me as the guy who hits deer all the time and gets flats all the time.

I routinely carry a 12v. pump, slime worms and tire plug tool kit. I've used literally dozens of worms and have never had a serious problem. Only recently have I had a worm come out. it just results in another flat tire, not a catastrophic blowout or anything.

I'll continue to use them, and will always use a plugged tire until its tread is gone.

Safe riding, and hopefully no flats for anyone!

I carry a pump and sticky ropes. Never a problem, even with thousands of miles and hard (for me) riding after application - fronts and rears. The only disappointment I've had is with Slime - little finishing nail but Slime didn't fill it.

As for safety - if a plug should fail, how could it be worse than the original leak/puncture? There's absolutely no reason to think that a plug of any type would cause catastrophic failure of a tire.
Usually, don't we feel/see low pressure before an actual OHSKIT! moment?
I personally have found flats/leaks at stops, not during the ride.

[image: View Post]GP Paul, on 12 December 2009 - 02:04 PM, said:

I carry a pump and sticky ropes. Never a problem, even with thousands of miles and hard (for me) riding after application -

As for safety - if a plug should fail, how could it be worse than the original leak/puncture? There's absolutely no reason to think that a plug of any type would cause catastrophic failure of a tire.
Usually, don't we feel/see low pressure before an actual OHSKIT! moment?

:+1:
No issues with any plugs and since I only avg. a few thousands miles from a tire it's never been an issue! ;)

Don't think I would want to trust a front plug as much, fronts going down can be real bad IMO! :blink:

+

[image: View Post]nogoodpig, on 11 December 2009 - 10:32 PM, said:

[image: View Post]Gap Trash, on 11 December 2009 - 07:49 PM, said:

I would never run a plug permanently. A plug is something you use to get you somewhere to get your tire replaced. You are seriously jeopardizing your safety riding on plugs.

Can you please post some reason why you believe this? I've run plugs in tires literally for years with no problems. Please direct me to a study or any data that would make me do otherwise. I'm not sure taking the tire companies word for it is enough.
Leo Smith
+1

No problem w/ mushrooms when used w/ glue.

I have the Stop n Go kit too. Plugged 3 tires now and ran to bare treads. Not a bad way to go...

MD

[image: View Post]Tightwad, on 11 December 2009 - 10:33 PM, said:

Personal anecdote of a repair that went really bad? I haven't known anyone personally (or even a 3-degree knowledge) that had a problem worse than leaking. I understand if you cut the cords (most penetrations just move them aside), you might have an issue.

I have had good luck with the worms, but not much need (knock on my fake wood desk)

It's for the same reason you shouldn't run a chain with more than one master link. Imagine you're the customer watching me explain why to my boss.

While an internally plug tire doesn't need immediate replacement, there are rules that govern what you can do with that tire once it is plugged. An external plug is an emergency repair that should be considered temporary.

[image: View Post]rhubarb, on 12 December 2009 - 07:59 PM, said:

[image: View Post]Tightwad, on 11 December 2009 - 10:33 PM, said:

Personal anecdote of a repair that went really bad? I haven't known anyone personally (or even a 3-degree knowledge) that had a problem worse than leaking. I understand if you cut the cords (most penetrations just move them aside), you might have an issue.

I have had good luck with the worms, but not much need (knock on my fake wood desk)

It's for the same reason you shouldn't run a chain with more than one master link. Imagine you're the customer watching me explain why to my boss.

While an internally plug tire doesn't need immediate replacement, there are rules that govern what you can do with that tire once it is plugged. An external plug is an emergency repair that should be considered temporary.


What rules govern what you can do with the tire?

I'd even run a chain with two masters as long as I was the one that installed them.

[image: View Post]dutchinterceptor, on 12 December 2009 - 07:21 PM, said:

What rules govern what you can do with the tire?

This is an example from the Dunlop website FAQ...

"Some punctures in motorcycle tires can be repaired if no other damage is present. Dunlop recommends only individual permanent plug-patch repairs of small tread area punctures from within the demounted tire by a qualified tire repair shop or motorcycle dealer. Never perform an exterior repair and never use an innertube as a substitute for a proper repair. Your bike should not exceed 50 mph for the first 24 hours after the repair and the repaired tire should never be used over 80 mph. Dunlop speed ratings are voided by repairs.

No form of temporary repair should be attempted because secondary damage caused by the penetrating object may not be detected and tire or tube deflation may occur at a later date.

Dunlop does not recommend the use of liquid sealants. These are a form of temporary repair that may adversely affect ply material and mask secondary damage caused by the penetrating object. Reliance upon sealants can result in sudden tire failure and accident."

[image: View Post]Monk, on 11 December 2009 - 11:06 PM, said:

[image: View Post]spud786, on 11 December 2009 - 09:39 PM, said:

Tire Gremlins are a constant battle for some more than others. I've gone 2 years with no flat, and then I go years with flat every 3 months.

One of the most unique items that came out was the stop and go external mushroom kit, either in a manual tool insert or Gun type insert. The tool works so well the gun is more gimmick iMO.

But on the net you'll hear how well they work ,even permanent. I've probably been through about a dosen of these plugs last few years. The only time, I've had one last the life of the tire, was in between a treadblock on side of the tire. If there's any road contact, dont expect this plug to last more than 500 mile, and maybe not even that long.

Prior to this method, I tried the worms, and had one about back out at the 50 mile mark.

My last flat was on a brand new proad 2, at 400 mile mark. I decided to leave the penetrant in and just slime it as a test, and the penetrant was in so deep and sideways, I'd destroy the tire in trying to get it out. Didnt work out well leaked all the time.

So, I came across the Slime tire worms, and these are larger and much stiffer and stickier than other worms I've used previously whiich I felt were flimsy. So I drill through the hole, and I dont know where that penetrant went, but it was a clean hole, so I tried one of the slime worms. I'm really impressed at how tight these fit. In with dealing with kronic leakage over the past few thousand miles, These worms have done the trick and holding strong , several hundred miles plus rain ride, not lost a drop. So I'm hopeful

Whats your experiences with external plugging?

Sounds good... I have a stop and go with gun, and have used it but it did have a slow leak so I changed the tyre out.... But I bought some glue, and was thinking that if I tried the stop and go and used some glue as well it might work better, but I haven't had the need to try it.... I was wondering if you have tried it with glue?


Yeh, every one was Hot glued , till the last couple, made no difference, any road contact they are going to fail and start leaking. after install I grab the tail and stetch and glue and Fire light quickly blowing.

Now my slime worms, have been through 2 rain rides and several hundred mile, holding up great thus far. Rain riding it hard on a plug

This particualr tire also has about 14 ounces of slime in it, stay below 110mph max

The first or second time I had a mushrrom fail I tried with 8 ounces of slime, at 90 mph felt great , no slime balance issue, but that plug started leaking, and that slime made it past that plug.

My luck tends to run like yours, Spud.

I have a Stop and Go kit but don't really trust it. I've used worms with glue with no problems. Glad to know Slime makes them and that you've had good luck. :fing02:

Just for a reference point I am currenntly riding a wormed rear. I picked up a nail with about 5k on the rear and I am approaching 8k on the tire now. It has not given me any problems until the last 100 miles or so, It has developed a very slow leak.. It is still rideable though by just adding a little air. At this point though the tire is kicked so I will be replacing it.

I picked up a nail in a nearly new rear Pilot road about a month ago. It seemed a shame to toss a new tire, so I put a worm plug in it. So far no leaks, but due to the weather I haven't ridden on it much. This is on the bike I only use for one-up local riding, so I just might take a chance with the plug at least until next summer. I'll report any failure.

Jon

[image: View Post]GP Paul, on 12 December 2009 - 02:04 PM, said:

I carry a pump and sticky ropes. Never a problem, even with thousands of miles and hard (for me) riding after application - fronts and rears. The only disappointment I've had is with Slime - little finishing nail but Slime didn't fill it.

As for safety - if a plug should fail, how could it be worse than the original leak/puncture? There's absolutely no reason to think that a plug of any type would cause catastrophic failure of a tire.
Usually, don't we feel/see low pressure before an actual OHSKIT! moment?
I personally have found flats/leaks at stops, not during the ride.


My one experience with the Stop N Go kit did not go well at all. My riding buddy picked up a nail at the TX-VFRD confab in Kerrville several years ago. We noticed it the morning we headed home, went the local convenience store and proceeded to pull the nail out and install the plug. We reamed out the puncture as directed, installed the plug as directed, aired the tire as directed and trimmed the tail, again, as directed. Dropped the bike off the stand and the plug popped out, well actually, it popped IN, inside the tire and, strangely enough, all the air came wooshing out.

Hmmmm. we must have gone wrong somewhere, so we did it again, but left a longer tail this time. Seemed to work. Aired the tire to about 46psi in the hope that the additional pressure would stabilize the plug. So far, so good. We saddled up and headed for San Antonio to the Cycle Gear (the only shop open on Sunday) to get a new tire for the 300 mile hop home. We kept the speeds down to between 50 and 60 just in case. About 5 miles down the road, plug number 2 popped out/in and, once again, all the air came wooshing out. The problem here is once you've reamed the hole, when the plug abandons ship, the air comes out QUICKLY. You go from full to flat in about 5 seconds. If you're in the wrong place at the wrong time this could provide much more excitement than you bargained on - so yes, the result can be worse, much worse, than the original puncture.

We got off the side of the road (Interstate 10) and installed a sticky worm with lots of glue, aired it up (sort of) with the last of the CO2 cartridges I had, made it to SA, grabbed a new tire and went home. Inside the tire we found the two plugs looking just as they should, rattling around inside. In the post mortem we concluded that the problem was the angle that the nail entered the tire. It went in at a very oblique angle to the tread (somewhere between 45 and 60 degrees). When we installed the plug. the mushroom head was pulled up tight against the inside wall of the tire, but because of angle it exerted substantial tension/;stress on the stem of the plug. As the tire flexed and heated, the combination was enough to dislodge the plug.

When we got home we took an old tire and did an experiment. Sure enough, if the nail doesn't go straight in the plug will try to pull itself out. I don't know what the magic angle is, but at 45 degrees it will happen. Now I guess we could have used glue on the plug, but the kit didn't come with any and Stop N Go claims the plugs work fine dry. Not for me and never again. I'll keep the my old lo tech worm friends, thank you.

I put a worm plug in my XX over 5K miles ago and never showed signs of leaks. I would love to see a study of failed plugs. As long as you clean the hole well use per guildlines with some extra glue. You shouldn't have a problem. I too hace used plugs for years in my cars with zero problems.

If you want 100% clear head buy a new 200dollar tire:)

for me the type of riding and where I ride I always carry a slime mini air compressor and two plug kits. Trust me it came in handy a couple of times for me and others

I just plugged my tire on Friday. I plan on riding it until I replace the tire. I had a brand new PP last time and it got a nail after less than 500 miles. I rode it for 4000 miles. Now I have probably 5K on the current tire, I think it will probably run to 8000 or more. I use the standard "string" type with rubber cement and haven't hard any problems. I run a little less hard for a while, maybe 150 miles and keep an eye on the plug. After that, it's smooth sailing!
I have to agree with BR about a front tire. I don't think that I would be comfy leaving that tire plugged. It's too narrow, I don't know that the seal would be sufficient. But, what do I know?

I put an external plug into a tire about 2 tires ago I also rode on said tire for about 1500+ something miles but never took to the highway if I didn't absolutely have to. The only reason I did it was because I got a screw in the tire after less than 100 miles on it and couldn't afford another $180. Couldn't quit having nightmares about it though and the first time I could afford it I got another on order! Definate last resort and wouldn't run it any longer than you had to. BTW it was a rear tire, not that it makes it much safer but I wouldn't have even tried with the front tire!

Well, the tire I started this thread, now has another hole, its on the same side in identical rotational radious about 1 ft differnce, 2 plugs feel pretty good though.

This was a hard punture , cause it was more of a small cut in dierection of rotation, no penetrant was found. So I'm on my second slime worm.

Still Want to keep replacing tires?

[image: View Post]GP Paul, on 12 December 2009 - 02:04 PM, said:

I carry a pump and sticky ropes. Never a problem, even with thousands of miles and hard (for me) riding after application - fronts and rears. The only disappointment I've had is with Slime - little finishing nail but Slime didn't fill it.

As for safety - if a plug should fail, how could it be worse than the original leak/puncture? There's absolutely no reason to think that a plug of any type would cause catastrophic failure of a tire.
Usually, don't we feel/see low pressure before an actual OHSKIT! moment?
I personally have found flats/leaks at stops, not during the ride.

Yeh slime seems to slow a leak but doesnt stop it for long. I
m really dissapointed with the limited effect of slime, In combo it can be of vaue, to show you there's still a leak from the green wetness.

To update,

I think I mentioned I picked up a second hole, since the beginning of this thread. So I had 2 slime worms installed after that. But the Orignal slime plug started failing around 1000 mile. I'm not sure if that was because there was a penetrant hiding in the tread eating away, (the hole was enlarging), I know the penetrant was there and disappeared when I used slime only for a few thousand mile, then switching to Mushoom externals and eventually the slime worm , butI could no longer find the penetrant when I had to ream a hole to install a plug.

I still believe the slime worms are the best external repair, they defintely hold up double the life of the mushroom externals, which lucky to get 500 mile, if the plug touches the road surface.

Anyway, I'd been running the road 2 rears exclusively for over a year, great life , but I'm much happier performance wise on my old girl friend, PPwer front Bt21 rear, pure snake! although I give up some life, it does cost less though, and I now have a tire changer so mounting labor is not an issue.

[image: View Post]Tightwad, on 12 December 2009 - 12:33 AM, said:

[image: View Post]Gap Trash, on 11 December 2009 - 09:49 PM, said:

I would never run a plug permanently. A plug is something you use to get you somewhere to get your tire replaced. You are seriously jeopardizing your safety riding on plugs.


Personal anecdote of a repair that went really bad? I haven't known anyone personally (or even a 3-degree knowledge) that had a problem worse than leaking. I understand if you cut the cords (most penetrations just move them aside), you might have an issue.

I have had good luck with the worms, but not much need (knock on my fake wood desk)


I have used plugs without difficulty, and even had a tire with 3 in it, that I have ridden for a few thousand miles. Now I knew it was plugged and thus rode accordingly, only commuted and no high speeds.

I agree with Bailey on not plugging the front tire. But I have yet to find anyone with a negative experience with a plugged tire.

[image: View Post]Purvis, on 02 January 2010 - 07:50 PM, said:

I agree with Bailey on not plugging the front tire. But I have yet to find anyone with a negative experience with a plugged tire.

Well, I will share my failed tire plug experience with you.

This summer I had issues with a worm style plug on the front tire.

Initially (before plugging) I lost all tire pressure in the front very suddenly in some curves. I was about to enter an S-curve when I found out I had a problem - but had little choice but to take the curve. In the curve, the bike tried to lie down and really turn sharply - it was all over the road, more out of control than in. With no tire pressure in the front, the bike was out of control and wanted to lie down, and using the throttle was the best way to regain a little control. It was some of the most frightening riding I have ever done, and I still do not know how I managed to recover the bike - but I did not give up. I had little interest in becoming one with a mountain.

After coming out of the S curve, I regained control by givingi t some throttle traveling straight down the road and made an additional error - I tried to gently head off the road into a small pulloff by a lake... as soon as I turned even gently, I lost control again - and had to use the throttle to stand the bike back up. This left me heading for a lake with a great deal of momentum. I hadn't saved the bike from crashing on the curves to take it for a swim, and had to stop pretty hard using the front brake. There is very good reason that people advise you not to touch the front brake if you have a problem with the front tire, but despite it all I managed to keep the bike up. (In retrospect i should have let the bike coast to a stop at the side of the road and not attempted even a gentle turn into the pull off).

By the time I had stopped the bike, the front tire was completely flat - it looked like a pancake, folded over with no air in it whatsoever. I am surprised that the rim did not shred the tire. The tire had a significant burned appearance as well. Had there been an option, I would not have even considered trying to patch that tire.

I attempted to plug the tire with a gummy worm style plug, which failed - once inflated you could hear the tire hissing. So I pulled the plug, and tried again. It was obvious that I still had a slow leak at the site of the patch, but was in the middle of nowhere, so I limped it into the nearest town (close to 70 km away), stopping to check and refill the tire frequently, and tried to find a better solution. Unfortunately, the nearest "good" solution was home, quite some distance away.

I decided to attempt the ride with the slow leak in the front tire - I overfilled the tire, and rode four-ways flashing 40-50 km/hour (significantly below road speed, but i had little trust in the front), stopping very frequently check the tire, and top it up (overfilling it each time) from a portable pump. It got to the point that I could "feel" when i had gotten down below 25psi. I spent a lot of that ride waving cars past me, but was not willing to trust the tire moving any faster. In the end, i stopped at 2am when i finally reached a safe place to spend the night. At that point my tire was around 10PSI, and was not holding more air than that for more than a few minutes - the slow leak was gaining a lot of speed. A rented U-haul completed the last 200km of my trip home.

Total distance traveled on the plugged front was around 325 km - and that was on a leaking patch. Because the patch was a slow leak, I was able to handle the lower tire pressures - they came gradually and i was already moving very slowly and accounting for it (very little lean angle, no front brakes, weight well back on the bike...). Even at 10 psi I could handle the bike, although it felt very ugly and heavy (the front tire was down there a few times, especially at the end of the trip) - and it was nowhere nearly as frightening as the sudden drop to 0 psi when I originally lost tire pressure.

I learned a few things about plugging the tire that might have made some difference to how well the plug held. Looking at the tire after I removed it from the bike, the size of the hole and the problem with the way it was plugged, it was surprising that I was able to limp the bike as far as I did.

In the hopes that my experience with tire plugging will help someone else, I would like to offer up what I learned about plugging in the form of a tutorial that I had originally posted on another forum.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Emergency Tire Repair
There are two schools of thought on tire repair. One advises that you should never ever attempt to repair a tire, and you should never attempt to drive on a repair. (If you belong to this school of thought, why are you reading this tutorial?). The other acknowledges that a flat will not always happen when convenient, and it can be prudent to attempt a repair. Needless to say, those who sell tires will usually suggest the former, whereas realists will acknowledge the latter. If you chose to patch a tire to repair a leak, you do so at your own risk.

If the damage is relatively minor and you get a good patch, some people will tell you that the patch will be good for the life of a tire.

Tip: You should never patch the sidewall of a tire – the sidewalls are subject to stresses very different than the flat of the tire, and riding on a sidewall patch can result in a sudden blowout.

Recently I had a flat front tire that necessitated emergency repair. Unfortunately the repair facilitated on the road had a slow leak which proved to be a nightmare to ride with. In the hopes that I can save one person from making similar mistakes and the subsequent hassle of riding on a questionable patch, I used my old tire to put together this tutorial.

Obviously you will be patching the tire on the bike, but I am using the old tire that is ready to be disposed of to illustrate the technique.

You will need:
Gummy String style tire plug
Tire plug applicator
Multi-tool (or tire plug rasp)
Air to inflate (air compressor, CO2 canister (these are sold at any bike tire for one-time inflation use).

(It's a good idea to travel with these tools, as you can never predict when a puncture will happen. You might be able to find a passing motorist with an air compressor, but that motorist is very unlikely to be carrying a patch tool or gummy string. Besides, if you are well equipped, you will be able to help out another stranded motorcyclist on the road and make a new friend).

Ok, you have a flat… now what?

Locate the source of the leak
Inspect your tire and try to locate the source of the leak. If you are unsure, use water (or spit) on the tire to see if the tire pressure is causing it to bubble.


Enlarge Hole
You may need to enlarge the hole slightly so that you can insert the patch tool. Your tire patch kit may have a small burred reamer to enlarge the hole (this is obviously the best candidate). Alternatively, the small screwdriver attachment on a multi-tool will work well for this (don't use a knife). Be cautious not to tear a huge gaping hole in your tire – you only want to enlarge the hole so that you can just insert the tire tool into the tire. You do not want to inflict additional damage to the tire. (Test fit the tire tool into the hole and err on the side of caution. You can always enlarge the hole, but if your hole is too large, you may be unable to successfully patch it).

[image: Attached Image]

Carefully enlarging hole in tire


Check Tire Tool
Your tire tool has a slit at the bottom to allow it to release the gummy string inside the tire. If you are using a cheap tire tool, you might want to bend the metal slightly so that it will release the worm inside your tire.

The photo below shows a multi-tool being used to bend the eye of the insertion tool slightly. When pressed into the tire, the tips of the tool will still come together.

[image: Attached Image]

Fixing cheap tire tool so that it can let go of gummy string inside of tire


Insert Gummy String
Insert the gummy string into the applicator so that it is centered.

[image: Attached Image]

Gummy string centered in applicator


Insert String into Tire
Insert the tool holding the gummy string into the tire. It will slide in easily until you reach the gummy string which will add a bit of resistance.

[image: Attached Image]
Starting to insert string into tire

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You may need to rotate the tool slightly to work the tool into the tire.
The gummy string will add resistance

You will want to insert the tool until the handle reaches the tire, and you only have the two tails of the patch hanging out. If you do not have at least half the string inside the tire, you may not have enough to patch the tire.

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Insert the string as far as possible into the tire

Here you can see the tool holding the gummy string inside the tire. Note that the prongs are slightly separated so that the tool will release the string when it is removed.

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[/i]Tool holding gummy string inside tire[/i]


Removal of Tool
Remove the applicator tool from the tire by rotating while pulling straight out. A twisting motion will help the string ball up inside the tire. The hoop of the gummy string should be left inside the tire.

Warning: If the hoop of the gummy string comes out of the tire, you will not have a successful patch. If this happens, pull the string all the way out of the tire and try again (check to ensure that your tool will release the string – if you are using a cheap tool, revisit the third step of this tutorial).

Once you have removed the tool, you will have two short ends of the string hanging outside the tire. Give a gentle tug on these to make sure that the patch feels secure.


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Short tails hanging out of tire


Inflate Tire and Trim Strings
Inflate your tire. Trim the ends of the string close to the tire using a knife and a gentle sawing motion. (If you have a successful plug, you can put a bit of tension on these strings to cut them). Some people also recommend using a lighter to melt the ends into the tire.

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Trimming the string


A Successful Patch
A successful patch leaves enough of the gummy string inside the tire to ball up and plug the hole from the inside. When you fill the tire with air, the air pressure will force the patch against the wall of the tire.

Here’s a look at the patch from the inside of the tire. Note how nicely the patch balls up to provide an effective plug.

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Successful patch from inside of tire

An easy way to check your patch is to use some water (or spit) to ensure that the patch is not bubbling or allowing an air leak.

If your patch is allowing air to escape the likely candidates are:
- You are patching a hole that is too large (or you enlarged the hole too much in step 2)
- You do not have enough of the patch inside the tire
- You may have a second leak in the tire

After the Patch
After patching the tire, common sense suggests that it is a good idea to stop regularly to check that your tire is still holding correct air pressure.


Lessons Learned from a Bad Patch...
On my recent tire outage experience, my patch had a slow leak. I opted to ride on the questionable patch at a greatly reduced speed and stopping frequently to check and reinflate the tire. This is not recommended, especially with a front, and made for a very stressful riding experience.

When my tire was patched the gummy string came back out of the hole with the tool. At the time I was not aware that this was not supposed to happen. This did not leave enough of the string inside to form an adequate plug. (I believe that this was related to the fact that I had a very cheap tire tool that did not release the string – I had to pry it open to get it to work for this tutorial). The photo below shows that there is inadequate plug material inside the tire. You can also see tire damage to the side of the original failed plug.

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Inadequate plug material inside tire – hoop of string did not remain in tire

Additionally, I believe that the hole in my tire was too large to be patched. You can see the hole on the photo below.

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Hole from inside showing too much damage to patch

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Hole from outside showing too much damage to patch

I would not hesitate to ride on a patched tire again, even having had a failed patch. It was a slow leak, not a sudden decompression, and felt manageable even in this state.

Good write up Olive. I would add rubber cement to those steps. I coat the string in glue and put a big glob of it over the hole in the tire before inserting the string. I've also used two strings when one won't quite seal the hole. Once when I couldn't get the string to seal completely I pulled and twisted it a little with a pair of pliers to finally get it to seal.

I've now gone to internal lead wire combo patching. Just can get any type of external to last more than 500 to 1200 mile

[image: View Post]vfrjim2002, on 13 December 2009 - 05:59 PM, said:

In the post mortem we concluded that the problem was the angle that the nail entered the tire. It went in at a very oblique angle to the tread (somewhere between 45 and 60 degrees). When we installed the plug. the mushroom head was pulled up tight against the inside wall of the tire, but because of angle it exerted substantial tension/;stress on the stem of the plug. As the tire flexed and heated, the combination was enough to dislodge the plug.

When we got home we took an old tire and did an experiment. Sure enough, if the nail doesn't go straight in the plug will try to pull itself out. I don't know what the magic angle is, but at 45 degrees it will happen. Now I guess we could have used glue on the plug, but the kit didn't come with any and Stop N Go claims the plugs work fine dry. Not for me and never again. I'll keep the my old lo tech worm friends, thank you.

Good information about the angle of the projectile. It makes sense that a mushroom plug wouldn't work at such a sharp angle as there's not much internal tire surface for the plug head to seat against. My last repair fixed a nail with a direct 90 degree insertion, and the mushroom plug worked perfectly. So, worm & glue is prolly the preferred repair for angled punctures. Thx for the experiment, Jim. :beer:

I have a plug in my current tire and have no problem trusting it to hold air. I wouldn't take it on a trip but I don't worry about it as long as I'm within 100 miles of home. I have had it up to about 120mph with the plug in with no problem. I also had a plug in the tire on my Triumph and only replaced because I was taking a 3000 plus mile trip. I also did about 130mph with the plug in that tire.

I just use the regular sticky plugs without extra anything. They work very well for me.

[image: View Post]LoVel, on 08 February 2010 - 01:13 PM, said:

I have a plug in my current tire and have no problem trusting it to hold air. I wouldn't take it on a trip but I don't worry about it as long as I'm within 100 miles of home. I have had it up to about 120mph with the plug in with no problem. I also had a plug in the tire on my Triumph and only replaced because I was taking a 3000 plus mile trip. I also did about 130mph with the plug in that tire.

I just use the regular sticky plugs without extra anything. They work very well for me.

Same here.

I guess it comes down to the type of hole you have. Some are easier/possible to patch than others. I've had 4 patches in my rear tire at one time - 2 worms and 2 inside patch jobs. The tire finally gave up only b/c it wore through the core, waaaaaay past its ware indicators. As long as the hole isn't too large or irregular, you can patch it with a worm. Spit at it to make sure that the patch works and forget about it. The worm will hold air for the remaining life of the tire.

The other school of thought is mental mostly IMHO. If you just don't trust the plug, then it really doesn't matter if it works or not. It doesn't work for you. Period.
Give your tire to me and buy yourself some piece of mind. :goofy:

In the February edition of Motorcycle Consumer News they give a good review to the Dynaplug tire repair kit. I picked one up over the weekend. I have been using the Stop N Go kit, but this Dynaplug kit looks smaller and less difficult to use, and gets a good review, so I decided to try it. My Stop N Go plugs are pretty old - I should probably throw them out and replace them anyway.

Whatever I carry, I always carry the sticky string as well, because you never know what sort of hole you'll get and maybe that's what will work the best. And it's not like the sticky strings cost much or take up much space.

The best tire plug hands down is Safety Seal. I have used only this brand for 20 years not one failure.

[image: View Post]Rice, on 08 February 2010 - 01:31 PM, said:

The other school of thought is mental mostly IMHO. If you just don't trust the plug, then it really doesn't matter if it works or not. It doesn't work for you. Period.
Give your tire to me and buy yourself some piece of mind. :goofy:

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :+1: :+1:

If he doesnt want it send it to me, I'll pay shipping :beer:

[image: View Post]elizilla, on 08 February 2010 - 05:48 PM, said:

In the February edition of Motorcycle Consumer News they give a good review to the Dynaplug tire repair kit.

No reaming and no glue sounds promising. Looks like it has potential! :fing02:

Picked up a BMW tire plug repair kit last fall havent had a chance to use it yet. they come with weird looking plugs like a oval donut rubber thingey they claim its similar fix to those mushroom head plugs just easier to install, has any one had any experience with them?

i havent had much luck with those standard slimy sting plugs as permanent fix. eveytime iv used one as an emergeny fix they end up loosing air less than a week later.if you use one of those plugs i found shops wont patch and plug tire proper way from inside they claim once you use one of those they can no longer fix tire.
i ran a conti rd attack with three of those inside patch plugs in same tire never had a problem only thing is they charge 30-40$ for each fix tire off bike

[image: View Post]Rice, on 08 February 2010 - 02:31 PM, said:

[image: View Post]LoVel, on 08 February 2010 - 01:13 PM, said:

I have a plug in my current tire and have no problem trusting it to hold air. I wouldn't take it on a trip but I don't worry about it as long as I'm within 100 miles of home. I have had it up to about 120mph with the plug in with no problem. I also had a plug in the tire on my Triumph and only replaced because I was taking a 3000 plus mile trip. I also did about 130mph with the plug in that tire.

I just use the regular sticky plugs without extra anything. They work very well for me.

Same here.

I guess it comes down to the type of hole you have. Some are easier/possible to patch than others. I've had 4 patches in my rear tire at one time - 2 worms and 2 inside patch jobs. The tire finally gave up only b/c it wore through the core, waaaaaay past its ware indicators. As long as the hole isn't too large or irregular, you can patch it with a worm. Spit at it to make sure that the patch works and forget about it. The worm will hold air for the remaining life of the tire.

The other school of thought is mental mostly IMHO. If you just don't trust the plug, then it really doesn't matter if it works or not. It doesn't work for you. Period.
Give your tire to me and buy yourself some piece of mind. http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/goofy.gif

Road contact , rain and abuse all factor in too with external plugs, on how long they last. could be life time, or maybe not.

The only time I've had lifetime success with a single plug, the hole was in between a tread block
.

I've got one set of lead wire combo patches 1and 5/ 8ths patch with 3/16 stem, this particular size out to work for screws or nails. I need to get a smaller set too.

The difference is the lead wire internal mushroom type offer the flexablily to travel the hole, even if not straight, sealing the tread also. I also need to get actual radial patches for when a 2 peice repair is needed.

I'll cut the head off a combo patch and use the stem portion to travel the tread hole channel, buff that flush and then go over it with a radial patch. the combo patches are only good up to 25 degree angles.

I would like to say that I would not even try to plug that tire in the picture above that Olive posted. That is not a hole. That is a slash/gash.

Also if you can't fix it with the stringy sticky wormy thingy you should really consider going ahead and replacing it. I wouldn't ask someone to patch a tire I couldn't get to stop leaking.