Tire plugs

[BIG--T]

I just had my first flat and plugged her. A brand new Metz on the rear and I pick up a screw. Think it will be OK to run it?  I've heard of ppl doing it and it makes me sick of thinking of buying another new one!

Any thoughts?

[signart]

To remove all worries, I would remove the tire and boot it from the inside.

[Jess from VA]

Think it will be OK to run it?

Yes, but keep an eye on it, and check psi for consistency, and soapy water for bubbles, until you're happy it is staying put with no leaks.  Not sure, but a Ride-On dose in it might be a good idea as well.

[Michvalk]

I have no problem running on a plug. I don't do any racing or high speed passes. Some will depend on where and how large a hole you are plugging. I ran an E-3 for 10,000 miles after putting a plug in. Check the air pressure often, and keep your eye on the plug for a spell, just to stay on top of it.  Putting a boot in is not a bad idea as well:cooldude:

[Valker]

I run my plugged tires until they are worn out. I do know how to plug correctly though. Some folks I've seen do not and they leak.

[Oss]

+1 on the ride on

but, believe it or not ride on will have trouble with a pin hole leak and
needs a larger opening so that the bigger fibers in the mix can clog the hole and seal properly

1/8 inch is plenty large enough IMHO  I think thats about the size of a plug


Go to their site and buy from the dinged bottle part and pay like $7.48 plus shipping
Thanks Valker for the heads up on the discount part of the site

I could not find anything wrong with the bottles and the product worked as advertised on my rear
beemer tire.

http://www.ride-onshop.com/Products-Dents_and_Ding_Corner.html

[PAVALKER]

A regular tar string/cord tire plug is a temporary fix at best.  If you install a rubber mushroom plug then I think you are pretty safe in continued use provided it is not in the sidewall.  Adding Ride On would be a bonus.  I have that in my tires now and the pressure in them has been pretty much consistent.  I think it really helps with the balance, wear and taking care of any minor leaks that might occur. 

[Challenger]

And on the other side of the story, I have had two mushroom plugs blow out at speed, I only use the string plugs with rubber cement. I have worn out several MC tires with string plugs in them. Got 50,000 out of a tire on my SUV that was plugged at 3000. Proper prep & installation is the key.

[F6MoRider]

I plug mine and use stinger plug/patches with cement, run them till they wear out and I use balance beads.  The mushroom plugs that are inserted from outside the tire w/o cement always leaked on me, never could get them to seal against the inside of he tire as it was such a small contact patch.  They work in a pinch to get get off the highway or home.  I have the Harbor Freight tire changer set up with the motorcycle kit.  Fast and pretty painless.  I get my stinger plug/patches, cement and and balance beads at a local tire repair supply store.  Never tried the ride-on.

[Jess from VA]

My research also showed that properly done (may require reaming), string plugs and glue are the best plug.... as far as they go.

[Willow]

Lots of people.  Each with a different view point.  Make up your own mind.  Your peace of mind is what matters most.

Certainly nothing you can do would be any worse than running over another screw.  You can't control that, can you?  Come to think of it, control itself is an illusion.

Do what you're going to do and enjoy the ride.  Not just here, but in life itself.   

[Master Blaster]

 I once holed a rear Avon so bad that I had to use two plugs.  Got the air leak slowed to the point that I only had to air up at every gas stop.  Was on a trip to Niagara Falls from Louisiana pulling a trailer, and put 4000 miles on that thing with minimum inconvinence to me or the rest of the group.  Have to say though I was happy to get back home and change it out.  Was severly cupped but did the job.

[cookiedough]

I've done ATV with string plugs from outside no issues but don't think I'd chance it with a cycle tire for very long.  You're life, not mine, only you can decide but I'd take it off and at least put a patch/plug on it from the inside.  I have run 2 times now a plug/patch combo on a car tire with my vehicles (not cycles) NO issues whatsoever for the rest of the life of the tire from a bigger screw and have complete confidence with a plug/patch done at a tire shop.   

If tire is fairly new under 4-5,000 miles on it,  I'd have a plug/patch done from the inside but wouldn't trust a string plug or mushroom plug done from just the outside for very long at all.   The patch if in a decent middle spot NOT close to the edges at all done from the inside is glued in place and the plug going thru the hole is an added bonus all done from the inside of the tire.   Just make sure no matter what you do to check BEFORE every ride the tire psi and if psi going down,  I'd just replace the tire and be done with it.   

[B]

Replaced  an E3 with 1000 miles on it for the same reason.
I don't wanna be the guy laying on the highway wishing I hadn't worried about saving a buck.

By the mere fact you asked the question; that should give you your answer.

[da prez]

 String plugs are very long for a reason. Push them all the way in with the insertion tool and then twist the tool two turns and pull it back out until you feel it stop. You then cut it off. A string plug tool is an eye . It is made this way for a reason.  A rubber plug tool is usually open to push the plug in and then remove the tool. On both , leave about an 1/8 inch or less sticking out of the tire.
                        da prez

[vanagon40]

To remove all worries, I would remove the tire and boot it from the inside.

+1 (I patch almost all my tires from the inside).

[john]

                                " don't wanna be the guy laying on the highway wishing I hadn't worried about saving a buck "                    

[t-man403]

Drywall screw on a new E3 got me.
Plugged that rear tire two seasons and 20,000 Km's \12,500 miles ago with a string plug. Just did 4500 Km's in extreme heat ....... over 100 F. I can't even find the plug and it's dead center of the tire.
I drill out the hole even bigger with a 1\4" bit  so the plug would insert and used a lot of the cement. I'll be changing the tires this winter and am curious what the plug looks like on the inside of the tire.

[F6MoRider]

To remove all worries, I would remove the tire and boot it from the inside.

+1 (I patch almost all my tires from the inside).

+1 it is the correct way.  

The plug-patches I use have a metal needle style tip which inserts in the hole from the inside of the tire.  Patching cement on the base and shank, make sure to burnish the area around the hole where the patch will seat and pull the plug until the base engages, then rub it down to make good contact, the tire will never leak.  Each tire manufacturer has patching instructions on proper methods posted on their website...yes, motorcycle tire makers as well.  

Most say not to repair it externally and not to use the liquid repair products.  All this fear mongering about dying on the side of the road because you didn't spend 300 bucks on a new tire and had your's repaired is IMHO a pile of hobgooey.

Here's Dunlop's Repair info:
12 - Tire Repair

Some punctures in motorcycle tires may be repaired.
Dunlop recommends only permanent plug-patch repairs of small (maximum 1/4-inch diameter) tread-area punctures from within the dismounted tire by a qualified tire repair shop or motorcycle dealer. Never perform an exterior repair and never use an inner tube as a substitute for a proper repair. Speed should not exceed 50 mph for the first 24 hours after repair, and the repaired tire should never be used over 75 mph. Advise your customer to check inflation pressure after tire cools for at least three (3) hours following run-in, or sooner if air loss is suspected. See the Dunlop Service Advisory for additional motorcycle tubeless-tire repair information. Follow the same repair procedures for tires on rims requiring tube replacement. The repairer is solely responsible for the repair and any instructions to the repaired-tire user.
Advise your customers that no form of temporary repair should be attempted because secondary damage caused by a penetrating object may not be detected and tire or tube deflation may occur at a later date.
Dunlop does not recommend the use of liquid sealants. These are a form of temporary repair, and they may adversely affect ply material and mask secondary damage caused by a penetrating object. Advise your customers that reliance upon sealants can result in sudden tire failure and accident.

[F6Dave]

I've been using the sticky string plugs since tubeless tires became common on motorcycles over 25 years ago.  I've used them dozens of times and ridden on them for at least 100,000 miles.  They work great.  The worst problem I've ever had was a slow leak.  If installed properly, when you finally pull the worn out tire to change it and look inside you see a big blob that formed a very effective patch.

I remember back in the 70s when I'd get a flat on my old Kaw Z-1.  I'd pull over, remove the wheel, and replace the tube with a spare I was carrying.  I'd be back on the road in an hour or two.  Plugs are a vast improvement over those days!

[Rams]

<<< Has been plugging tires for a long time.   Some times just to get back in, some times for the long haul.   Depends on the situation and the tire.   I hadn't had my Austone on the Valkyrie two weeks when I felt a funny wobble at slow speeds.    Pulled into my garage, got off and saw the tire was low.   Kicked it and I'll be dogged if it wasn't flat.    Found two small pin holes.   No idea what they were from but, there were close together (1/2 inch).   So, I plugged both of them.   Filled the tire and rode the next day.   Have checked it several times over the last 3000 miles, no problems.   I fully expect that tire to fulfill it's destiny and roll with my Valkyrie for the rest of it's intended life.

There are times and tires I would not plug and continue to ride (other than to get back in) but, that depends on the situation and the tire.    If you're not comfortable with a plugged tire, then by all means have a new one mounted or, have a tire tech inspect your plug.   There are no guarantees in life except you are not getting out of it alive.   Ride and enjoy.

[Stanley Steamer]

I got 2 screws in this new Avon rear tire at less than 200 miles.......put the sticky string plugs in it, added Ride-on, and rode it another 9,000 miles....longest an Avon has ever lasted me....with no problems

[Rams]

I got 2 screws in this new Avon rear tire at less than 200 miles.......put the sticky string plugs in it, added Ride-on, and rode it another 9,000 miles....longest an Avon has ever lasted me....with no problems

See, that's what happens when ya starts screw'n around.  

Edited:   Or, was that screw'n up?    Hmm.   Whatever.   

[Stanley Steamer]

I got 2 screws in this new Avon rear tire at less than 200 miles.......put the sticky string plugs in it, added Ride-on, and rode it another 9,000 miles....longest an Avon has ever lasted me....with no problems

See, that's what happens when ya starts screw'n around.  

Edited:   Or, was that screw'n up?    Hmm.   Whatever.   

All I know is that I got "screwed".......twice!........and it cost ME $$

[Rams]

All I know is that I got "screwed".......twice!........and it cost ME $$

Most places ya cain't do that but, I hear it's legal in Nevada.