Puncture, AAAARGGGHHHHHH

[mark2jag]

Got a puncture in the back tyre on my crosstourer, AA turned up and plugged it with 3 of his repair plugs, which didn't quite stop the leak completely, so then he filled the tyre full of what he called "Water based slime", he said he was telling me it was water based as some tyre fitters dislike tyre slime as its a complete bastard to get out, but the water based versions are not...Hmmmm, hey ho.

I know punctures happen and really there isn't a lot you can do to avoid them, but If this had happened to you and with a 2000 mile old tyre, would you be ok riding around on it, or would you ride to nearest tyre shop and replace straight away.

I'm only asking as I have never had a bike puncture before, and have been given 2 different and opposing views as to how long it may last, and rather worryingly, what can happen if you do just carry on riding on a repaired puncture. Rapid and total pressure loss, doesn't sound much fun. Not sure if this information was given to scare the shit out of me or if he was just bigging himself up to sound more "In the know".


Oh yeah and for all the knobs out there who think this is a stupid question.. get back in yer pram....

No reason to not ask for help if you genuinely don't know the answer.


and for that reason I'm OUT.


P.S. It's (allegedly) a tubeless tyre. The wheel spokes are laced to the outside of the rim?????? que?? huh?

 

[GADGET]

You have described a temporary repair. If you are going to get it plugged get it repaired with a permanent plug, the tyre will need to be removed to do this. If it were me I'd buy a new tyre.

 

[ghiribizzo]

Uh - why did it need 3 'repair plugs'? And even then it didn't stop the leak?
Sounds a bit like maybe his technique's poor or the hole was that bad it really should mean straight home or nearest bike shop. Diffeicult to say without seeing it.

But you could be ahead of all that with a StopNGo kit and a pump. Used them five times, never had any fail to seal. Every time it's been a nail, screw or a bit of glass that meant a repair was no problem to do with the kit. Always ran the tyre until it needed replacing due to wear.
But these are easy to use - no mucking about with glue. I got a cheap air compressor and discarded all the covers - it's a small bit of kit now. Couple of small croc clips and you're able to power off whatever. On the Honda? Probably the battery. On BMWs/Guzzis onto the back of the starter motor no problem. Keep it all clean and do it like the video, no waiting for the man in the van to turn up:
<iframe width="480" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/OCrRXYWm1Hg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Depends on your thoughts on repairing or having someone like the AA guy fix it for you though.

 

[Steptoe]

Uh - why did it need 3 'repair plugs'? And even then it didn't stop the leak?
Sounds a bit like maybe his technique's poor or the hole was that bad it really should mean straight home or nearest bike shop. .

Depends on the size and shape of the hole you're attempting to plug.

I've had 5 plugs in a rear tyre when whatton, shep, james burton and myself did a lands end -john O groats ride - didn't stop the leak, but enabled us to ride overnight and reach glasgow and get a new tyre after stopping every 50-70 miles during the night to re-inflate.

Anyway, to answer the question. If it was one single plug i'd leave it in place, as i've always done with plugs until the tyre wears out.
But i wouldn't try it with two or more unless i had no choice.
As an example i drove back from algerciras all the way through spain and france to home on my GS with two plugs in a large hole in the rear tyre.

 

[RedRick Esq.]

I used to be of the opinion that if it had a puncture then it was time for a new tyre as the thought of the "plug" failing filled me with terror but at the sort of money tyres are and the way the PR3s keep picking up nails i have just had it plugged properly and i have now done 1000 miles on it with no problems !

was it 3 holes that he plugged if so get a new tyre or one hole that he couldnt plug properly if so get it done and ride or was it such a big hole that it couldnt be plugged effectivly if so new tyre !

 

[Fanum]

3 plugs AND goo?

He either fucked up the first one, or the hole is part of more damage EG splits in the carcass


Exactly the same answer as Steptoe from me.......one plug, keep it until tyre wears out but check pressure carefully for first week after......2 or more plugs in same hole, either whip it off, examine the inside and repair it properly with vulcanised patch if carcass not damaged (don't think anyone in UK will do this though ) or just swallow it and get a another tyre

If it was mine, I'd take the tyre off, clean it up inside and outside, removing the 3 plugs, the assess it and see if a single plug, fitted properly under ideal conditions, will hold pressure.

If it didn't, I'd change the tyre.

 

[Fanum]

I used to be of the opinion that if it had a puncture then it was time for a new tyre as the thought of the "plug" failing filled me with terror

Many (if not the majority, I don't know) people think the same way.......but look at it like this....


This is a standard Schrader car/motorcycle tyre valve: (lengths vary)

To fit it, a spotty oik in blue overalls uses a poxy little plastic tool and a squirt of jizz to ram the fat end of that valve through an 8mm hole, then all that's keeping it in is that tiny lip and the air pressure from inside the tyre, plus friction and a little bit of remaining jizz.

Not many people have ever suffered a valve blowing out of their rim though, and even fewer have had a properly done plug fix fail on them.......I'd bet both testicles that the average puncture diameter is way less than 8mm, so the consequences are far less drastic as well


If anyone has a new or newish tyre that has a normal puncture and doesn't want to risk plugging it, I'd be very happy to take it off their hands and will pay a courier to come and pick it up so you don't have to pay to dispose of the 'dead' tyre

 

[Deleted account 240901001]

Many (if not the majority, I don't know) people think the same way.......but look at it like this....


This is a standard Schrader car/motorcycle tyre valve: (lengths vary)

To fit it, a spotty oik in blue overalls uses a poxy little plastic tool and a squirt of jizz to ram the fat end of that valve through an 8mm hole, then all that's keeping it in is that tiny lip and the air pressure from inside the tyre, plus friction and a little bit of remaining jizz.

Not many people have ever suffered a valve blowing out of their rim though, and even fewer have had a properly done plug fix fail on them.......I'd bet both testicles that the average puncture diameter is way less than 8mm, so the consequences are far less drastic as well


If anyone has a new or newish tyre that has a normal puncture and doesn't want to risk plugging it, I'd be very happy to take it off their hands and will pay a courier to come and pick it up so you don't have to pay to dispose of the 'dead' tyre

Yeah...several slight differences that I can see.....I'm pretty sure the valve stem is fitted to the nice, rigid, alli rim on the inside...and that a plug is on the crappy, flexible, rubbery bit on the outside that comes in contact with the nasty road thingy every revolution or so? So not quite the same service conditions...having said that, I'm happy to drive/ride on a well-plugged tyre.........

 

[Nutty]

Just replace the tyre. Its a brand new bike. If the plug isn't seated properly, that could be quite expensive, and painful. 3 attempts from the AA man wouldn't fill me with confidence either.

 

[stever1]

If he used 3 plugs, bin it, or take it off and plug it properly (stop n go), also where is the puncture ?. if its in the centre then OK but if its on the edge then bin it anyway.

 

[iftikartaxis]

Plug

It's the price you put on the plug
Chances are if you were going fully loaded on holiday it would fail
I ride two up all the time and think I would go either get it repaired properly or a new tyre I have fitted plugs in the car but am always conscience it might go pop one day
It's your bike your licence and not forgetting insurance
The AA patrol would have told you and should have also wrote on your ps124 that it was a temp repair

 

[AberdeenAngus]

We all know you'll keep the tyre and run it till the canvas shows.....ya tight fecker

 

[Fanum]

It's the price you put on the plug
Chances are if you were going fully loaded on holiday it would fail
I ride two up all the time and think I would go either get it repaired properly or a new tyre I have fitted plugs in the car but am always conscience it might go pop one day
It's your bike your licence and not forgetting insurance
The AA patrol would have told you and should have also wrote on your ps124 that it was a temp repair

PS 124.........fuck me, I remember doing the training to bring those in and the resistance it met....until one muppet in London got an effect entry come back and smack him in the face for a warped window frame.......a PS Cover your arse" after that

 

[mark2jag]

Well some good answers on here. Will replace it definitely, All I need is a good price on a 150/70/17 Pirelli Scorpion. so gonna get looking. Will not be getting it from a certain local supplier at £170.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Well some good answers on here. Will replace it definitely, All I need is a good price on a 150/70/17 Pirelli Scorpion. so gonna get looking. Will not be getting it from a certain local supplier at £170.

Try Oponeo for the best deal or there is a very cheap Heidenau K60 in the FS&W section. Don't know if it's the right size but it's definately the right price and a good tyre