Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech Plugging a tire: have you done it? and is it safe?

I have a Metzeler back tire with such a small puncture (right in the center) that it will only deflate down to about 15lbs. In other words, it won't go entirely flat. When aired up to 40 it leaks out in about 20 min.

So I'm thinking of plugging it with a simple plug kit; anyone else have experience with this? The tire is still very much a good tire. I hate to buy a new one over a simple flat.

Around town under 40 probaly ok,substaind 70 on interstates I'd be leary.It's not like a car where you've got three others as back up .

I patched a rear tire this morning on my way into work. Had a one-inch 8/32 screw in it. grrr. Oh wait a minute, that was my mountain bike tire!

Getting back to topic, the layer structure of your tire has been disturbed. Has this small puncture created a rip/delamination point? Probably not. The probable of that statement means a tire shop won't plug it or patch it. The ahem, law/rule of thumb is that the tire can be plugged for the sole purpose of having it changed out at the earliest chance you get.

Don't forget that, the rule of thumb that using a plugged tire to get to a shop for a new tire is like the instructions for installing any oem part is to disconnecting the battery first.

The choice of using a plugged tire is yours. Plug and ride? Or plug and spend. Just one thing, if you plug and ride, please don't carry a pillion as they may not hold the same opinion as you re tire plugs. It should only be your butt on the line when you do the yute thing.

If you do plug it, ensure that there is not any foreign material remaining in the tire. A betterer way to plug is to break down the tire and use one of those plug/patch things. Speaking of, motorcycle plug kits are MUCH better than a standard plug (though not as good as the breakdown method). The motorcycle specific plugs have a mushroom head that seals the interior of the tire as well as fills the hole in the tire carcass.

You'll hear stories of folks that have run a plugged tire for another 5K miles. And you'll hear tales of those who immediately replaced the tire. It's your butt on the line, you choose. That is the beauty of it! It is still OUR choice.

It seems you have tubless tires. I would consider a patch inside and a tube as well, if it is not in the sidewall.
I would not trust a plug.

I believe that even the tire shops don't use plugs anymore. The patch from the inside. The above advice appears to be the most sound to me. Patch it and tube it. Will a tube work in that tubeless environment?

What Mike said..

+ + + + what Mike said .. DO NOT TRUST YOUR LIFE TO A PLUG ..Break it down ..patch from the inside..
(if not in the sidewall) and a band will protect the tube
Ride Happy . Ride Safe !!

Rim Band

I would break the tire down and use a combo plug/patch on the inside. Be sure there is NO deformation at the site of the damage or adjacent side wall when inflated. I would use a sticky impregnated rope plug just to get home if needed but not as a permanent repair.

If its that small I would do what it takes to get home. Then break the tire down use the plug patch that Ian speaks of here with the rubber cement plug patch glue. Do that by first scuffing up the interior liner of the tire with (I use a dremel tool) you use what ya got. Just scuff it up not grind it away. A little bit bigger than the patch size. Apply the glue then the plug patch. Make sure you use some thing to press out any air bubbles starting from the center working your way toward the edge of the patch. Then I would tube it the inflated tube will hold air with out potential to fail (providing you don't get another puncture),and will press against the patch providing an even better protection against patch failure. Cut the tip of the plug flush with the tire. Your good now. However like Moe said do it at your own risk. I personally would be fine with it. But its your safety and your arse on the line. Motorcycle tire manufacturers say replace the tire. Never repair one. Its good for them for you to spend anothe two hundred bones.

I'd plug it as a very temporary repair and get a new tire ASAP.