Plugged one...

Well I got a tiny piece of metal that was about the diameter of a straight pin but only about 1/2" long in the middle of the tread on my rear. Can't believe it was able to cause a leak, but it did and when I pulled it out, it leaked like hell. Anyway, read all the pros and cons on plugging and decided to go for it. Bought a kit a Harbor Freight and used it, but wasn't happy with the insertion tool. Most I've seen looked like a very large needle eye to thread the sticky rope in, but this one had a sizeable "gap" in the "eye" (I guess so you don't have to actually thread the rope thru the "eye"). It sucked trying to get the plug in smoothly, gouged up the hole pretty good. Hopefully it will last. Anyone else use the $5 plug kit from Harbor Freight?

[image: View Post]2thdr, on 12 October 2010 - 10:53 AM, said:

Well I got a tiny piece of metal that was about the diameter of a straight pin but only about 1/2" long in the middle of the tread on my rear. Can't believe it was able to cause a leak, but it did and when I pulled it out, it leaked like hell. Anyway, read all the pros and cons on plugging and decided to go for it. Bought a kit a Harbor Freight and used it, but wasn't happy with the insertion tool. Most I've seen looked like a very large needle eye to thread the sticky rope in, but this one had a sizeable "gap" in the "eye" (I guess so you don't have to actually thread the rope thru the "eye"). It sucked trying to get the plug in smoothly, gouged up the hole pretty good. Hopefully it will last. Anyone else use the $5 plug kit from Harbor Freight?


yup!
haing a hard time getting it there means its not going to come out!!!
i have run tires with FIVE yes ,5 plugs in them and put 3000 miles on them. :fing02:
thats what happens when you go to school in DC :comp13:

I haven't used the Harbor Freight kit, but I just used a Slime brand kit with a 'worm' on my rear tire. My puncture was right in the middle of the tire down in the tread (had a phillips head screw in it). My first time plugging one but it's holding 42 pounds of air with no issues. I've put about 500 miles on it since I repaired it. I'm just keeping an eye on it to make sure I don't see any changes. I think you'll be fine. Of course, others will tell us we're crazy for riding a plug. Mine's a Shinko Raven too! Yikes! :woohoo: That will get'em going here.

Chuck

A front tire would scare me more than a rear, but BLS says research is showing plugs are safe to ride on. I was just concerned the tool I was using was defective. I'll take a pic of it when I get home.

You mean the ones with the little golden dart?

[image: View Post]spud786, on 12 October 2010 - 07:07 PM, said:

You mean the ones with the little golden dart?


No, I have that kit too, but it said for temporary only and only "20 mph" or some such horse sh$t. I went with the gooey ropes that you put in with the T-handle tool.

[image: View Post]2thdr, on 19 October 2010 - 12:38 AM, said:

[image: View Post]spud786, on 12 October 2010 - 07:07 PM, said:

You mean the ones with the little golden dart?


No, I have that kit too, but it said for temporary only and only "20 mph" or some such horse sh$t. I went with the gooey ropes that you put in with the T-handle tool.


I bought some ropes w/T-handles.......And all the instuctions say to thread and push through the hole 2/3rds of the way then pull out... so I guess that's leaving 4 strands in the hole before cutting?
How have you guys that have used them (ropes) do it?....Any variations from the way the instructions call for?

Iposted this a few weeks ago.........
I bought some ropes w/T-handles.......And all the instuctions say to thread and push through the hole 2/3rds of the way then pull out... so I guess that's leaving 4 strands in the hole before cutting?
How have you guys that have used them (ropes) do it?....Any variations from the way the instructions call for?

Now I have a new tyre with a nail though it so I plugged it, and am waitting for a ap check in the morning.

I pushed the rope through and plulled it back out .... barely had any of the rope come out...just about one strand the size of a pencil eraser .... and it was at an angle going from centre towards the side.... but the nail had made it all the way though, because it was leaking ....

I would think that if the rope is centred on the tool, that we should push it all the way though, and then pull enough out to clear the tool and cut at the tyre surface ???

[image: View Post]Monk, on 29 October 2010 - 05:59 PM, said:

Iposted this a few weeks ago.........
I bought some ropes w/T-handles.......And all the instuctions say to thread and push through the hole 2/3rds of the way then pull out... so I guess that's leaving 4 strands in the hole before cutting?
How have you guys that have used them (ropes) do it?....Any variations from the way the instructions call for?

Now I have a new tyre with a nail though it so I plugged it, and am waitting for a ap check in the morning.

I pushed the rope through and plulled it back out .... barely had any of the rope come out...just about one strand the size of a pencil eraser .... and it was at an angle going from centre towards the side.... but the nail had made it all the way though, because it was leaking ....

I would think that if the rope is centred on the tool, that we should push it all the way though, and then pull enough out to clear the tool and cut at the tyre surface ???



Push it in and redo , dont stick it in as far

I've plugged front and rear tires many times and used them until cords were showing. Never a problem.
The worm plugs are totally safe if inserted correctly and there is no speed that can get them to come out. Simply impossible.
The procedure is to use the file-type tool to enlarge the hole (yes, I said enlarge). Then thread the worm into the needle eye and push it through. I usually give the thing a few twists while in there and then pull the tool out. The eye is split to allow the tool to be pulled out w/o pulling out the worm. When you pull the needle eye out, the worm gets squished around the inside of the hole creating a mushroom. This is what makes it such a good plug - The higher the pressure, the better it holds. If too much is dangling on the outside, trim it with a razor blade. Remainder will just ware with the tire.

And as I (and some others) always say, if you have that nice new tire and don't feel safe using it with a plug, please PM me. I will pay shipping and then dispose of it for you :wheel:

Thanks for the answers.... I'm still not sure what's going on with the rope and plug.... But If I'm only suppose to push it in 3/4ths the way then pull it out... I'm not sure what's happening..... Think I'd rather have a eye tool that didn't split, then push in all the way and pull out enough to cut off at tyre surface.... but if the split does it on auto, I guess I'm ok.......except it didn't come out correctly due to the fact that I did push it in all the way............ It's a weird angle anyway, it doesn't go straight in, so it had a long path to follow........ I was down to 22 pounds after running over the nail (24 hours +)..... so I'd guess if it takes that long to lose air with a nail, it should take a lot longer with all that goo in the hole so I'll give'er a try, as opposed to starting over.

[image: View Post]Monk, on 29 October 2010 - 08:53 PM, said:

Thanks for the answers.... I'm still not sure what's going on with the rope and plug.... But If I'm only suppose to push it in 3/4ths the way then pull it out... I'm not sure what's happening..... Think I'd rather have a eye tool that didn't split, then push in all the way and pull out enough to cut off at tyre surface.... but if the split does it on auto, I guess I'm ok.......except it didn't come out correctly due to the fact that I did push it in all the way............ It's a weird angle anyway, it doesn't go straight in, so it had a long path to follow........ I was down to 22 pounds after running over the nail (24 hours +)..... so I'd guess if it takes that long to lose air with a nail, it should take a lot longer with all that goo in the hole so I'll give'er a try, as opposed to starting over.

The needle eye tool MUST have the split in order to work.
The worm is threaded through the eye in such a way that the two ends of the worm are of the same length once inserted into the eye.
Then you push it into the inflated tire3/4 of the way. You should have 3/4 or 1/2 inch of the two tail ends of the worm sticking out. Then you pull the tool out and the part of the worm that is on the inside of the tire will squeeze through the opening at the tip of the eye. Then you cut the tails of the worm down with a razor to leave about 1/16th of an inch sticking out.
Put more pressure int he tire and go riding.

[image: View Post]Monk, on 29 October 2010 - 08:53 PM, said:

Thanks for the answers.... I'm still not sure what's going on with the rope and plug.... But If I'm only suppose to push it in 3/4ths the way then pull it out... I'm not sure what's happening..... Think I'd rather have a eye tool that didn't split, then push in all the way and pull out enough to cut off at tyre surface.... but if the split does it on auto, I guess I'm ok.......except it didn't come out correctly due to the fact that I did push it in all the way............ It's a weird angle anyway, it doesn't go straight in, so it had a long path to follow........ I was down to 22 pounds after running over the nail (24 hours +)..... so I'd guess if it takes that long to lose air with a nail, it should take a lot longer with all that goo in the hole so I'll give'er a try, as opposed to starting over.



You have to yank it out fast, so about half stays in the tire, i normally make a little twist, which creates a knot on the inside.

Thx you guys..... Plus 1 on the T-scores

[image: View Post]Monk, on 29 October 2010 - 08:53 PM, said:

Thanks for the answers.... I'm still not sure what's going on with the rope and plug.... But If I'm only suppose to push it in 3/4ths the way then pull it out... I'm not sure what's happening..... Think I'd rather have a eye tool that didn't split, then push in all the way and pull out enough to cut off at tyre surface.... but if the split does it on auto, I guess I'm ok.......except it didn't come out correctly due to the fact that I did push it in all the way............ It's a weird angle anyway, it doesn't go straight in, so it had a long path to follow........ I was down to 22 pounds after running over the nail (24 hours +)..... so I'd guess if it takes that long to lose air with a nail, it should take a lot longer with all that goo in the hole so I'll give'er a try, as opposed to starting over.


Well... Checked the air pressure, dropped 2 pounds in about 18 hours, but that could be temp change. It was warm out when I aired it up, and cool this morning, so it might just be temp change from ambient air, or from having to add 22 + pounds.... I'll take'er for a test ride today........ did order a new tyre which I do anyway when I put on a new tyre just for things like this........$136.99 + $5.00 ship(Dennis Kirk)

I've plugged a couple of bike tires with worm plugs with no problem at all. Never used the harbor freight ones. Just get them at the autoparts stores.

There's a worm plug in one of my cage tires that's been there with no problem most of the tire's life. :fing02:

Just for the record, the rope/string plug is working. I stopped and checked it (A/P and visual)3 times on a 100 mile ride.

There's one thing that could be a problem as the tyre wears, is the angle that I had to put the plug in. It's kind of like looking at the ground where a mole has dug, so as the tyre rubber starts wearing down it could effect the rope at some point, but should be ok for a few thousand..........

It looks good for my plugged trye, before I went for my ride the other day I checked the air pressure and it was holding at 42 lbs. , but it's doing so well, I had not only not lost any air, but by the time I got home it had gained 5 lbs... So I had to let 5 lbs. out, but it seems to wander a lot today, and when I got back and checked my air it had lost 5 lbs.... So I put 5 back in it..... Dear Abbey, how can I get her to be straight with me? (just a little humor, Tyres doing fine)

[image: View Post]Monk, on 02 November 2010 - 02:08 PM, said:

It looks good for my plugged trye, before I went for my ride the other day I checked the air pressure and it was holding at 42 lbs. , but it's doing so well, I had not only not lost any air, but by the time I got home it had gained 5 lbs... So I had to let 5 lbs. out, but it seems to wander a lot today, and when I got back and checked my air it had lost 5 lbs.... So I put 5 back in it..... Dear Abbey, how can I get her to be straight with me? (just a little humor, Tyres doing fine)


monk

ever heard of cold psi?

tires are supposed to gain pressure when you ride, you dont let it out, when the tire cools it will returns to cold psi pressure

so basically you created an underinfaltion condition by setting hot tires to a cold setting pressure

[image: View Post]spud786, on 02 November 2010 - 03:43 PM, said:

[image: View Post]Monk, on 02 November 2010 - 02:08 PM, said:

It looks good for my plugged trye, before I went for my ride the other day I checked the air pressure and it was holding at 42 lbs. , but it's doing so well, I had not only not lost any air, but by the time I got home it had gained 5 lbs... So I had to let 5 lbs. out, but it seems to wander a lot today, and when I got back and checked my air it had lost 5 lbs.... So I put 5 back in it..... Dear Abbey, how can I get her to be straight with me? (just a little humor, Tyres doing fine)


monk

ever heard of cold psi?

tires are supposed to gain pressure when you ride, you dont let it out, when the tire cools it will returns to cold psi pressure

so basically you created an underinfaltion condition by setting hot tires to a cold setting pressure

It's a joke. A bit of humor. I thought it was funny.

(Okay Monk)

I missed the joke , i guess

[image: View Post]spud786, on 02 November 2010 - 05:53 PM, said:

(Okay Monk)

I missed the joke , i guess

"Dear Abbey, how can I get her to be straight with me? (just a little humor, Tyres doing fine)"
I can see where you may have thought I wasn't joking, just from being conditioned from my real dumb remarks....... :beer:

[image: View Post]Monk, on 02 November 2010 - 06:17 PM, said:

[image: View Post]spud786, on 02 November 2010 - 05:53 PM, said:

(Okay Monk)

I missed the joke , i guess

"Dear Abbey, how can I get her to be straight with me? (just a little humor, Tyres doing fine)"
I can see where you may have thought I wasn't joking, just from being conditioned from my real dumb remarks....... :beer:



I gues I'm still in dismay at the guy with the swingarm that legthens on his rides>G<

[image: View Post]spud786, on 02 November 2010 - 07:41 PM, said:

[image: View Post]Monk, on 02 November 2010 - 06:17 PM, said:

[image: View Post]spud786, on 02 November 2010 - 05:53 PM, said:

(Okay Monk)

I missed the joke , i guess

"Dear Abbey, how can I get her to be straight with me? (just a little humor, Tyres doing fine)"
I can see where you may have thought I wasn't joking, just from being conditioned from my real dumb remarks....... :beer:



I gues I'm still in dismay at the guy with the swingarm that legthens on his rides>G<

That wouldn't be bad if the swingarm would shorten on the tight S's..........

Somebody needs to say you will crash and burn and die if you ride a plugged tire. :biggrin:

I prefer the plug gun type thing for easier use. The sticky licorice ropes are a pain.
But I can't recall having to fix more than 2 - 3 tires in the last 20 years. :cool:

Knock wood. :goofy:

[image: View Post]VFR4Lee, on 02 November 2010 - 08:34 PM, said:

Somebody needs to say you will crash and burn and die if you ride a plugged tire. :biggrin:

I prefer the plug gun type thing for easier use. The sticky licorice ropes are a pain.
But I can't recall having to fix more than 2 - 3 tires in the last 20 years. :cool:

Knock wood. :goofy:

I have one of the guns with the mushroom plugs.... But from what I've heard on here is the gummy ropes seem to work better.... And I like losing the space the gun took up..... And the flat I had last week was so easy to fix with the T-handle rimmer and eye.....Even with my 1st attempt.....I didn't like the rimmer with the gun.......But I use the gun bag with the T-handles........