Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => The Bike - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: seanmcva on June 14, 2011, 05:41:43 PM
-
... but redeems self in the end.
Came out of work today to a totally flat rear tire (PR2 with ~200 miles on it). As the owner of MANY motorcycle tire plugging kits, I was not shaken. I have used "mushroom type plugs a few times to plug and ride to the shop for new tires and never had a plug failure (though never put more than 20 miles on a plug). I have "The Plugger", the Aerostich plug kit, the air pump that works on the spark plug hole, several compressed air inflators, and two compact electric air pumps. All of these stored neatly in a climate-controlled garage awaiting my next world tour. Finding my cavernous Connie cases completely empty made me feel like a real chump!
I waked to a fuel station (2 miles) and bout a sticky rope plugger (never used these before) and a "fix-a-flat" can. Knowing that my mechanic would curse me when he found the fix-a-flat goop in the wheel, I tarried on to a shop and bought a Bell electric pump (with cig lighter adapter). They had no compressed air inflators. I returned to the bike and removed the drywall nail with a stapler remover (really worked well!). I plugged the tire in about 2 minutes and thought, "hMMMM - THAT WAS EASY!) Then I plugged in the electric pump and prepared to wait 30 minutes for tire inflation. To my shock, the tire inflated in about 4 minutes and I trimmed the plug flush with a pair of iris scissors. I rode home (only 15 miles) without incident.
I have always been too paranoid to ride on a plugged tire in the past, but I am a bit reluctant to buy another new set of tires... Am I losing my grip on reality and giving in to frugality? I wonder because I have read many stories about these "sticky rope" plugs lasting the life of the tire. Anyone else been brave enough to shuck the conventional wisdom and ride on?
-
Yep, BTDT!!! More times than I care to remember.. However, YMMV......
-
I have always been too paranoid to ride on a plugged tire in the past, but I am a bit reluctant to buy another new set of tires... Am I losing my grip on reality and giving in to frugality? I wonder because I have read many stories about these "sticky rope" plugs lasting the life of the tire. Anyone else been brave enough to shuck the conventional wisdom and ride on?
You could have just posted to this thread from June 10 through today: http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=1590.0 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=1590.0) Plus your thread subject isn't very relevant to the thread. In any case:
* You did the right thing not using "fix a flat"- that stuff might ruin the TPS and is generally a mess!
* I probably would never trust a plugged tire to remain plugged or to be safe.
* You don't have to buy a new tire, just get the one you have properly (internally) patched...
* Of course, replace the tire anyway if it is already old/worn, since patching will cost money too...
-
i always end up replacing the plugged tire at first opportunity.
On my bike,I try but cant seem to forget im riding on that stupid plug. I'll plug a car and forget about it and they usually hold.
I need a clear head when i ride my motorcycle. The bike HAS to be 100%
-
Personally, I'd have more faith in a rope plug than an internal patch. With TPS and a re-balance, the tire should live a long and productive life. If you want, pm me & I'll pay for shipping if you want to send it to me. :)
-
I've never picked up something in my rear tire when it was worn out... Always when the tire had less than 1000 miles on it.. I've lost count on how many times in the last 60,000 miles and over a dozen rear tires on this bike. I've actually only had a few tires go their entire life without a plug on this bike
Once the gummy worm vulcanized itself to the tire, I've never had one let go. I keep my TPS screen on the dash, and monitor it fairly often, especially before I hit the twisties. I check and set my tire pressure before each ride.
One of the tricks is getting a lot of the worm into the tire, trim it as short as possible, and then rub some road silt/sand on it to prevent from sticking to the road surface, until the heat of the tire vulcanizes it to the tire casing. YMMV
JJ
-
Had less than 1K miles on my rear tire when I picked up a small finishing nail. Sticky rope plug to the rescue. That was more than 2500 miles ago. Frequent checks with TPS and digital gauge. No problems and no worries.
-
Why is it that I/WE never get nails in 'old' tires? I've done the same as well. I have used the rope type plugs for years and never had an issue. In fact, I rode from St. Louis to Richmond VA on a plugged tire and never once thought about it! and that was on a big ole heavy K1200lt! I tore up the lower cowl of that bike draggin' it through the mountains out there! Of course, it's your choice. I know that there are plenty that will preach replace it! And that's exactly what the dealer (tire or bike) will tell you.
You could run it, it's plugged, and holding. Or you can spend the $$ for a new one. I'll up the ante, I'd give you 25 bucks AND pay for shipping! If you keep it, I wouldn't bother dismounting for an internal patch. The 'damage' is done. The thought behind the using the internal patch over the rope type is that the tiny nail likely did less damage to the belts in the carcass of the tire than the plug did going in. If the nail was in the center of the tire, I certainly wouldn't worry about it. The closer it is/was to the edge, the less I trust it.
If it's holding, RIDE IT! You're fine! Unless it doesn't hold, then I retract my offer :) Seriously RIDE!
-
A am also in the camp that has plugged many tires, never had a failure, and never even HEARD of anyone having a failure.
-
A am also in the camp that has plugged many tires, never had a failure, and never even HEARD of anyone having a failure.
Ditto. The real danger is an immediate decompression of the tire, which would require the plug to blow out. Not only is it a real B***H to get that plug in, it's just as big a B***H to get out. And it would require tools, or perhaps, your tires to be inflated to like 200psi. I have never heard of, or had, a single failure from a plug. IMO, the biggest issue with plugs could be the balance of the tire.
So in truth a plug can leak, which is about the biggest issue I see with a plug. So with TPS you should be good to go.
Just my two cents worth.
If anyone changes their tires within the first 1000 miles because of a nail hole, for good measure, after having plugged it successfully, will you please send your old tires to me?
-
If you decide no to use it mail it to me and I will. ;D
-
I got a hole in my rear tire at the start of a 4 day ride (on my old TL1000R). Used the sticky rope plug and 3 small CO2 cartridges to get me to 18psi and got over the hill and to a gas station to get it to normal pressure. Rode it the rest of the trip with no issues, but did replace it once I was home. We had one guy on the trip tell me that he had an RV that he installed a plug like that into that he drove for years with the plug and then sold the RV, but it had no issues.
-
The closest I've ever had to a "failure" was when I had to install a plug in the freezing rain, using bad cement that was partially gummed up. Never did bond to the tire. But it didn't blow out either, it just leaked annoyingly. I was able to re-plug it (real BEEEOOOOTCH to pull the old plug) with no further issues.
-
Looks like I'm going to be out-bid in my effort to score a cheap tire. ;D
A friend had a Polaris Ranger side-by-side that he plugged multiple tires multiple times. One was a big hole in the sidewall that took about 5-6 rope plugs. He didn't even bother to cut the ends off. Looked funny as all getout, but didn't leak. Admittedly, Rangers aren't high-speed vehicles with a top end of about 50mph, and I'd not plug a sidewall on a motorcycle tire other than to just make it back home, but it was impressive.
-
A am also in the camp that has plugged many tires, never had a failure, and never even HEARD of anyone having a failure.
Add one more to that group ...
-
rear tire plug is no problem to me with gummy rope! I ride them til they die a natural death. never had any problems and never known anyone to have problems with them.
now front tire is different, I will plug it but I do get it fixed or replaced.
-
I would ride on a plug.
-
My last rear tire had a sticky rope plug put in at 800 miles. The second plug was installed at 5600 miles and the third plug at 7200 miles. I replaced the tire at 7500 miles at the wear bars.
Rash
-
I couldn't push my bike across America and get 7,200 miles out of a tire. :o
3,500 Tops. ;)
-
I ran my last tire to death (Angel ST) with 4 sticky rope plugs in it at the end. Towards the end, the tire was so thin, it broke the seal on the plugs, so I added just a touch of Green Slime (just enough to coat the very center of the tire, but nothing else).
The way the TPMS takes over the display, you will know right away when the tire gets below 32 PSI, well before it becomes a major handling issue, so just run it. If it gives you problems, then swap it.
I found mine didn't leak a bit until the tire wore to the point it became thin. I added the other 3 just to finish out the last couple of weeks of the riding season because by then, gravel was poking holes in it.
If the puncture is in the center area of the tread, I would have no problem running a plug on your tire for the life of the tire.
-
and then rub some road silt/sand on it to prevent from sticking to the road surface, until the heat of the tire vulcanizes it to the tire casing.
That's what coach always said when we we had a bleeding elbow or something-"just rub some dirt on it"
-
What is this "glue" some people speak of when installing the sticky ropes. I've bought and used several plug kits in my life & none of them ever came with any kind of glue, therefore I never used any, & I've never had a sticky rope plug fail. Just wondering if I'm missing something. :o
-
I have plugged several tires in my life. Always the rear tire. The only time the tire strings fail is if the hole in the tire is a cut or tear verse a puncture. Still works to get you home.
I have personally ridden plugged tires an additional 5000 miles without failure. Just check your tire pressure on a regular basis. I have SmarTire tire pressure sensors on both my bikes.
-
Every rear tire I've ever had has had to be plugged (yep, the one I have now has a plug in it). And as someone said earlier, it is usually with more than half the tire life left. >:( A few years ago, I had a tire with three plugs in it. Motorcycle rear tires are nail magnets.
-
You could have just posted to this thread from June 10 through today: http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=1590.0 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=1590.0) Plus your thread subject isn't very relevant to the thread. In any case:
* You did the right thing not using "fix a flat"- that stuff might ruin the TPS and is generally a mess!
* I probably would never trust a plugged tire to remain plugged or to be safe.
* You don't have to buy a new tire, just get the one you have properly (internally) patched...
* Of course, replace the tire anyway if it is already old/worn, since patching will cost money too...
Thanks for the critical analysis and informed advice!
-
i always end up replacing the plugged tire at first opportunity.
On my bike,I try but cant seem to forget im riding on that stupid plug. I'll plug a car and forget about it and they usually hold.
I need a clear head when i ride my motorcycle. The bike HAS to be 100%
That is my fear exactly - I can't ever forget the plug. But when I replace tires, I somehow feel safe :)
-
Personally, I'd have more faith in a rope plug than an internal patch. With TPS and a re-balance, the tire should live a long and productive life. If you want, pm me & I'll pay for shipping if you want to send it to me. :)
WOW! what an offer! You make it difficult to believe in the conventional wisdom. Thanks :)
-
Thanks for the critical analysis and informed advice!
Well, I am beginning to think my advice was not all that great, given how many postings seem to never have any problems at all riding for very long times with plugs. I am kinda surprised! But- that is how we learn, by sharing info. Gotta love the forums.
-
What is this "glue" some people speak of when installing the sticky ropes. I've bought and used several plug kits in my life & none of them ever came with any kind of glue, therefore I never used any, & I've never had a sticky rope plug fail. Just wondering if I'm missing something. :o
The plug kits I have bought come with a small tube of "lubricant", that allows insertion of the plug without it sticking on the way in. Once it evaporates / dries, then the glue on the plug can stick to the tire and seal.
I only use half a plug (cut them in half, then fold in half before insertion), since it doesn't need all that extra rope inside the tire or cutting off all the excess and throwing it away. It does take a little practice and self control during insertion though, so you don't push it all the way through.
-
I've only had 1 flat tire in 10 years, but all of this talk has gotten me thinking - especially now that I have a bike with a little extra storage. I just picked up a rope plug kit and mini-pump that I plan on bringing with on all of my trips for now on. Hopefully this ounce of prevention will keep me flat free for the next 10 8)
-
I've only had 1 flat tire in 10 years....
I think you should play the Lotto.
I wish I had your luck! I had a bolt go through my rear tire on the initial ride home from the dealership, only 40 total miles on the tire :(.
To add insult to injury, I was such a newb' that I insisted on getting the same exact tire (Bridgestone BT021) to replace it. (would have been a good time to upgrade)
When I saw the size of the bolt head, I was sure it must be a sharp pointed lag bolt. Nope, turns out I managed to force a 5/16 flat ended
machine bolt right through the tire. It made that hollow POP sound that you sometimes get when you shoot a rock out and I was hoping...but no, it
followed that with a metallic "tic tic tic" as the bolt head hit the pavement on subsequent rotations. The only good luck I had was that it happened only 1
and a half blocks from my house, and I was able to get it in the garage and up on the center stand before it went totally flat. I keep the bolt in my tool kit
in an illogical attempt to ward off future punctures. I also carry tire plugs and a Slime air compressor. :)
-
I trust the rope plugs all the time. Have not yet had to plug my bike tires, but my car... the last set of tires I replaced had a plug in 3 of the 4 tires and the oldest of those plugs had about 35,000 miles on it.
-
Just got a flat rear earlier this week. I guess it all depends on circumstance but my 21's look good still. The rear sensor was never activated during prodution so I never got any warning. I am takiing the opportunity to purchase some better tires and get the numbers off the rear sensor so that it can be activated. Otherwise based on what I have read here I may have just ridden it out with a proper working TPMS system.
-
I have some kind of nail in the rear tire, but it's been there for about 1000 miles now and there's no loss of tire pressure, so I'm just leaving it alone.
Bad idea?
I have all the repair equipment ready in a side case, although I'm not sure I know how to use it.
-
I have some kind of nail in the rear tire, but it's been there for about 1000 miles now and there's no loss of tire pressure, so I'm just leaving it alone.
Bad idea?
I have all the repair equipment ready in a side case, although I'm not sure I know how to use it.
I say pull it. If it hasn't made it all the way through yet, it will. If it has, then it's so much easier to fix it in the comfort of your garage, or time and place of your choosing, where you can wash up after your done, instead of somewhere on the side of the road, with cars whizzing by, in a sudden cloud burst, that starts dropping hail on your head.
OK, maybe the last part was a little too dramatic, but there's this law by this guy named Murphy, and it's always true. ;)
-
OK, maybe the last part was a little too dramatic, but there's this law by this guy named Murphy, and it's always true. ;)
What's that law? Buy from Murph all the time?
-
What's that law? Buy from Murph all the time?
:rotflmao: :thumbs: :goodpost:
-
I have some kind of nail in the rear tire, but it's been there for about 1000 miles now and there's no loss of tire pressure, so I'm just leaving it alone.
Bad idea?
I have all the repair equipment ready in a side case, although I'm not sure I know how to use it.
I would give one word of caution. If you're going to use a sticky snake plug, you really need to see the angle that nail comes out. It's not always straight in and I have seen a repair failure because the guy tried to rasp the hole straight in and it turned out the nail went in at an angle. It can also be harder to get that nail out after the head is worn off, but since you've already been 1000 miles, I'm guessing that ship has sailed.
I would repair it in the comfort of my garage instead of the side of the road.
-
I don't have a garage. Or a shed. Or even a level parking spot. My house is on the beach and built on stilts. On the property, at it's highest point, where it rarely floods, I have a platform upon which the bike sits.
But y'all point is taken, and maybe I'll bring it in to have done by a professional while it still is holding pressure.
-
I would give one word of caution. If you're going to use a sticky snake plug, you really need to see the angle that nail comes out. It's not always straight in and I have seen a repair failure because the guy tried to rasp the hole straight in and it turned out the nail went in at an angle. It can also be harder to get that nail out after the head is worn off, but since you've already been 1000 miles, I'm guessing that ship has sailed.
I would repair it in the comfort of my garage instead of the side of the road.
That's true, but that falls in the category of "botched repairs."
-
I don't have a garage. Or a shed. Or even a level parking spot. My house is on the beach and built on stilts. On the property, at it's highest point, where it rarely floods, I have a platform upon which the bike sits.
But y'all point is taken, and maybe I'll bring it in to have done by a professional while it still is holding pressure.
House on the beach, I'll take that and chance it on the plug holding... ;) :thumbs:
-
Thanks all for the detailed, informative replies. I feel comfortable riding plugged on my newish tires now. I'll carry the plugger always now. If I decide to tear up the tailof the dragon again, I'll get new tires. Cheers.
-
That's true, but that falls in the category of "botched repairs."
Yes, but a failure is a failure when you're stranded on the side of the road. The problem is that the repair is easier to botch if you don't see the nail come out (which is likely if you let it go too long and it either comes out on its own or gets pushed inside). And a botched repair is harder to fix than the original problem.