Kawasaki Concours Forum

Mish mash => Open Forum => Topic started by: CrashKLRtoConnie on June 10, 2011, 09:51:03 AM

Title: Tire Patching (What do you use - how long did it last)
Post by: CrashKLRtoConnie on June 10, 2011, 09:51:03 AM
Most of my motorcycles have had tubed tires. Last night I just had my first tubeless motorcycle tire (flat/leak) on my C14 (PR2) that I repaired with Dynaplug.

I want to get a feel for how others in this group handle such. (MAYBE NO ONE GETS FLATS)

When I was young, tried a Slimee type product that let go and gave me road rash (front tire wrapped the fender and I did I stoppie)  :(
Later I always removed the tire and replace the tube with a new owe. (Carried spare tubes with we and tire irons)

With the Connie I do not think it is possible to carry the tools to change at tire. I also have not yet decided to buy enough home tools to do it myself ... or have a nearby friend who has a tire stand.

Thanks in advance
Title: Re: Tire Patching (What do you use - how long did it last)
Post by: Mister Tee on June 10, 2011, 08:42:57 PM
What is the difference between a "sticky rope" and a "rubber plug?"
Title: Re: Tire Patching (What do you use - how long did it last)
Post by: OCK913 on June 10, 2011, 11:41:53 PM
I assumed it to mean the mushroom type plugs.... I have never used one of those though. Have used the sticky rope type on many, many car and truck tires and once on a bike. It held just fine and never gave me any issues a all. When that same tire got a second hole I replaced it instead of adding another plug.
Title: Re: Tire Patching (What do you use - how long did it last)
Post by: Scaffolder on June 11, 2011, 07:02:49 AM
Sticky rope. I got a nail in a rear Dunlop Roadsmart at 380 miles. I got around 12,400 miles on them,so 12,020 miles is all I dared to go with it. At all speeds up to 155mph.
Title: Re: Tire Patching (What do you use - how long did it last)
Post by: roger dodger on June 11, 2011, 10:56:32 AM
Patches or Plugs? I did a sticky rope plug on 2 car tires...no problems since!

Patches involve removing the tire and covering the hole from the inside. Great option @ a shop, not on the road.

We did a demo @ the National in CO to see lots of plugs (inside and out) on a tire. Consensus of the group was Sticky Rope is more likely to hold vs mushroom plugs.  YMMV
Title: Re: Tire Patching (What do you use - how long did it last)
Post by: Mister Tee on June 11, 2011, 10:57:02 AM
If a "sticky rope" is the plug that doesn't use cement, I don't use those.  I use the sticky ropes that do use cement.  Those are not temporary repairs.  They last the life of the tire, done properly.
Title: Re: Tire Patching (What do you use - how long did it last)
Post by: CrashKLRtoConnie on June 11, 2011, 11:30:16 AM
Just to show pictures

Rubber Plug Type (with gun)

http://www.amazon.com/Stop-Go-TBLSS-REPAIR-Tubeless/dp/B0018EUDHW/ref=sr_1_2?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1307812987&sr=1-2 (http://www.amazon.com/Stop-Go-TBLSS-REPAIR-Tubeless/dp/B0018EUDHW/ref=sr_1_2?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1307812987&sr=1-2)

Sticky Rope Type (with push handle)

http://www.amazon.com/TIRE-REPAIR-TRUCK-TUBLESS-RADIAL/dp/B0018QMIW8/ref=sr_1_30?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1307813252&sr=1-30 (http://www.amazon.com/TIRE-REPAIR-TRUCK-TUBLESS-RADIAL/dp/B0018QMIW8/ref=sr_1_30?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1307813252&sr=1-30)

Dynaplug (Brass nose cone on a very small sticky rope)

http://www.amazon.com/Dynaplug-1007-Tubeless-Tire-Repair/dp/B000EXSER4/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1307813329&sr=1-1 (http://www.amazon.com/Dynaplug-1007-Tubeless-Tire-Repair/dp/B000EXSER4/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1307813329&sr=1-1)



Title: Re: Tire Patching (What do you use - how long did it last)
Post by: Nosmo on June 11, 2011, 12:03:24 PM
I've had two punctures on the rear tires of my Wee-strom.  The first was a 10-penny nail that went at a tangent up the left sidewall.  That was at 3,000 miles since new and I changed that tire as I didn't want a side-wall blow-out.  There's no practical way to repair that.  The second was small sliver of glass that went into the center of the tire between the tread-blocks.  It was a slow leak, which I found while the bike was at home in the carport.  I dismounted the tire and took it to the Kaw shop and they put a plug-patch in it.  That was about 5,000 miles ago.  The tire was about 1/2 worn then, and it is due for replacement soon.  Has never leaked.  On both bikes I carry repair kits with Stop-N-Go plugs and sticky string, Slime-brand electirc pumps and also mountain-bike type hand pumps just in case, but I would consider those type of repairs as just a get-me-home, then do the plug-patch as a permanent fix.
Title: Re: Tire Patching (What do you use - how long did it last)
Post by: sherob on June 11, 2011, 03:16:15 PM
I used a sticky worm/rope on a brand new Cobra Venom for my Wing... it had ~1k miles on it when I picked up a nail, and I was not going to shell out another 3 bills for a new tire.  I ended up putting 13k miles on that tire without a problem!
Title: Re: Tire Patching (What do you use - how long did it last)
Post by: kawamark on June 11, 2011, 04:24:33 PM
FRESH sticky rope on the rear of a D205. Never leaked, got about 2,000 more miles out of it. Wore it down till the cords were showing.  ;D

One thing i leaned from the this forum; don't use the reamer unless you absolutely have to, as this can cause more damage.  :thumbs:
Title: Re: Tire Patching (What do you use - how long did it last)
Post by: T Cro ® on June 11, 2011, 07:46:47 PM
I use string cheese.
Title: Re: Tire Patching (What do you use - how long did it last)
Post by: booger on June 12, 2011, 07:13:35 AM
I use sticky rope, but rid only long enough to get me to the dealer for replacement.

Last time I plugged a tire, I did ride 380 miles to get back home.  And went to speeds up to 110 mph, when I gained it's trusta after about 100 miles of 60 mph.

I will run on patched tires on my autos, but not plugged.

Motorcycle?  It's just not worth the risk.
Title: Re: Tire Patching (What do you use - how long did it last)
Post by: CrashKLRtoConnie on June 18, 2011, 03:27:22 PM
Update.

Rear tire screw, used 2 Dynaplugs.

After a week or so and less than ~ 100 miles, losing pressure. Was good for about 4 + days with no air loss.

Was 42 psi a few days ago now 35 psi.

Title: Re: Tire Patching (What do you use - how long did it last)
Post by: CrashKLRtoConnie on July 16, 2011, 09:32:14 AM
Considering the only 3 people who used Dyna plug had leaks in under 1,000 miles, guess I will start to carry both sticky rope and dyna plugs.

QUESTION: For those that have had dyna plug leaks, how many had the hole caused by a screw and had to use more than one dyna plug?

(I had to use 2 plugs before the leak was closed and had a ~ 10# screw in my PR2)

Just wondering if any screw caused hole does not lend it to Dyna Plug use???
Title: Re: Tire Patching (What do you use - how long did it last)
Post by: VirginiaJim on July 16, 2011, 09:50:06 AM
I use string cheese.

Quit stringing this guy along....

Knock on wood, never had to plug a mc tire.  Done plenty of car tires, though, without issue, without cement.  I do carry string patches on the bike and I have cement as well.