plugged my rear CT today

[Toledo Mark]

Got home from breakfast with the wife and saw the Valk leaning against the garage wall.  Rear tire was flat.  Found a 2" deck screw in it.  Went to Autozone, bought a plug kit and plugged it up.  I screw was right in the middle of the tire. 

Should I have any concerns? 

[YoungPUP]

Have seen plugged car tires go for years, and go for minutes. I wouldnt try it on a bike though

[Valker]

I always plug mine, but I have quite a bit of experience. I've run them many thousands of miles that way.

[Steve K (IA)]

I've plugged car tires...on cars, and bike tires and ran them until they wore out.  If the puncture is in the face of the tread, should be no problems.

[NITRO]

I would run it the way it is, but if you're concerned, pull the tire and have it plugged from the inside.

[gordonv]

Went to Autozone, bought a plug kit and plugged it up.

Should I have any concerns? 

You said plug kit, but what kind?

String? You should be very concerned.

Mushroom, vulcanized rubber kind? Should be fine.

Others believe that if you ever get a punchure in your tire, that you need to replace it. Others feel you must remove the tire and apply the internal patch.

I like this.
http://patchboy.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=P&Product_Code=12-210&Category_Code=12-3-9

[fudgie]

Whats wrong with string plugs? Patched many tires with them and all been good.

[Challenger]

+1 Fudgie, We were in Savanna and a buddy ran over something with his Wing, put in a mushroom plugs in and blew it out within a couple miles, second plug, same thing, used my old string plug kit and it is still in ther a year later and does not loose any air. 

[R J]

Went to Autozone, bought a plug kit and plugged it up.

Should I have any concerns?  

You said plug kit, but what kind?

String? You should be very concerned.

Mushroom, vulcanized rubber kind? Should be fine.

Others believe that if you ever get a punchure in your tire, that you need to replace it. Others feel you must remove the tire and apply the internal patch.

I like this.
http://patchboy.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=P&Product_Code=12-210&Category_Code=12-3-9

That is a nice kit from Patchboy, however, do not ever drop it on it's nose, cause if ya do it is toast, it bends the little end and it is almost impossible to straighten it out.         Give me the string kit.   Oh yes, use LOTS of glue, is the secret to string kits.

[Ricky-D]

I'm in agreement about the string plugs and also about being generous with the cement.

When you pull the installer out it does have a tendency to wedge more of the string on the inside of the puncture to make a real good seal.

The only thing to watch for (besides leaking) is that when patching the tire the string plug application can cause some little damage to the plies and the result can be delamination with a resultant bubble somewhere on the tire. Doesn't have to be right then at the time either, it can happen later on down the road.

It's always good to take some time occasionally to give the tires a thorough inspection and check the tire pressure.

***

[Daniel Meyer]

Plugged this:





Ran it till I got home (several thousand miles) and then had it patched from the inside.

The story...

[MP]

I have NEVER had a string plug fail.

MP

[Paxton]

Friends;
Over the years, I've had many nails and screws lodge into the thread of my car/truck tires; just as shown in the photo.
More often than not, the tire "self-plugs" and does not leak, especially when the nail or screw is all the way in...  ???

THE CAVE-MAN'S APPROACH...  ONLY ON CARS...  
On many occasions, I have been "nailed" and/or "screwed" as it were. Yet, I've not bothered removing said nail or screw
from the tire thread. Indeed, when I find it, I can tell that the nail has been in there for a while...
Generally, after one hundred miles or so, the friction and the road-heat vulcanizes it in place.

For safety reasons, I personally assume these risks while making CERTAIN that the tire in question is running on the rear of the car;
preferably on the right side.

NOTWITHSTANDING...
I've never had this experience on a motorcycle. Were this to happen on any two-wheel-ride; and plugs were not immediately available,
I'd would carefully proceed, but I'd do the pluggin' ASAP, at the first opportunity...
... ESPECIALLY if I'm running an M/C tire!  

More on the "Caveman's Car...
On occasion I have seen a screw or nail, deep into the tire-thread, causing a slow air leak. Again, during "emergencies,"
I've simply dug/pulled the nail out and allowed the tire to deflate. Then, after filling the hole with lots of silicone,
I've reinserted said nail or screw and let it "seal" for an hour or so.
I've then, refilled the tire with air... and presto. It stays there 'til the cows come home...

(I then lay back, smoke the proverbial cigarette; roll over and fall asleep.)    

DISCLAIMER:
I am simply sharing my personal experiences. I am NOT ENCOURAGING ANYONE to perform any of these "tricks."

Should you decide to do so on volition, you SHALL assume full responsibility for your own risk-taking that might result in
potential injuries to you and others; and even death. Therefore, you and/or your agent(s) shall "hold-harmless" the VRCC;
and ALL its officers and/or members, including me, from any potential legal action in connection with this post.
Said subjects SHALL NOT be a party nor would be the subject of ANY potential-liability-claim arising from your independent actions.

In short, we don't want to get "screwed."
(Pun intended)

"Pools of sorrow waves of joy are drifting thorough my open mind possessing and caressing me"
John Lennon

[Brian]

I have just picked up a small nail in my brand new E3 on the rear. I asked my good dealer friend about plugging it since it is almost in the middle of the tire. Since I am running with Ride On he suggested I leave it alone and to let the end wear off which it has done before I noticed it. It has been about three months now since finding it. The tire was not leaking when I found it and still not leaking.
for Ride On.

[gordonv]

Wow, I'm afraid to post! Not!

OK, the strings I have are ones that you do not add glue to. I have only found them good for a short time, fix the flat and get somewhere that they can be more permanently fixed. I carry the strings, because I haven't bought the bigger mushroom plugs yet, and they're very small and easy to take with you. I've never used the one that takes glue, maybe that is what I'm missing from mine?

Another example of what you have with you, is better than anything you have left at home.

[Steve K (IA)]

I've Never had a problem with the string plugs and glue combo when plugging a hole caused by a nail or screw.    Now lag bolts or larger...patch inside.

[Ricky-D]

I've never seen a plug kit without the glue (rubber cement).

Using those type plugs without glue is probably that the glue ran out after the first few plugs were used.

The glue not only is there for adhesive qualities but it also serves a purpose as a lubricant. The plugs are much more easily inserted with the glue generously applied for lubricating purposes.

There are always quite a few plugs left over after the glue has been used up or dried out in the tube. When this happens I look for the least expensive way to get more glue. Usually a cheaper kit is the answer but not always. You can get a larger can of rubber cement at a auto supply place. They still dry out over time after the first use.

Throw all that old crap out and get new stuff with an unopened tube of glue. That's what you need to have on the bike.

***

[vanagon40]

I've never seen a plug kit without the glue (rubber cement). . . .

Well now you have.

[Daniel Meyer]

I've never seen a plug kit without the glue (rubber cement). . . .

Well now you have.

It's a nice compact kit...but I always recommend folks toss the plugs, buy vulcanizing plugs and cement for it (patchboy.com sells 'em cheap). The glueless plugs don't hold all that well, frequently leak etc. Only for getting you to the next stop. The vulcanizing plugs/cement work much better. The glue won't hurt the tools, serves as lube, and peels right off the tools. More or less permanent repair, though if the tire is any good tread-wise, I usually take it off and plug it from the inside at the end of the trip (or whenever it's convenient).

[Brian]

I have the Victor Deluxe tire repair kit. I had one tire on my truck that had three string plugs in the rear tire. This kit does come with glue and patches. The glue that came with the kit is only used for the patches. That truck had a total of four string plugs in the tires and never any problem. I sold the truck to one of the guys at work, he never complained. I have yet to use a plug on an MC tire.