Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech Tire Puncture Sealants

For those that worry about such things: how do you prepare for flats away from home? Years ago in my former biker days, the thought never crossed my mind, and I never had to deal with it. I did some snooping in the BA archives and all I found was a link to what appears to be a very useful product: Ride-On.

Hi Rick

During last summer, we had a bloke turn up in a van at our local meet he was putting some sort of liquid into the tyres which sealed the hole from nails screws etc. I used to be in the Motor trade in the 70's and I asked this guy if it was a similar product to what was used then he said it was but they had improved it. I cannot remember the name of the new stuff, but the one from the 70s was green and slimey and it was called "OKO". He was charging around £30.00 for both front and rear wheels fitted.

The last time I had a flat on the road was in 1972 and it was a 650 BSA. The repair took about an hour, and the toughest part was pushing that elephant to the gas station at the next exit. Found a nail in the Trident tire 4 years ago and did the tubeless plug which held long enough to get it to the shop for new rubber. I put Ride-On in the America tubes last fall just for added insurance in prep for a 1k mile day. Don't know if it really works, but what the hell, it's relatively cheap, and if it doesn't work, there's always a cel phone and AMA's MoTow.

While I was away last year, managed to pick up a nail at 7.15 on a Friday evening. Another guy on a bike (R1) stopped, went to Autozone & picked up a couple of cans of Tirefix? One can worked well enough that I was able ot ride to the nearest dealer 80 miles away to get the tube changed.From then on, always carried a can just in case. Peace of mind for less than $10.00.

Not too sure about the sealants that you put in before a puncture happens cos that way you don't know you have picked up a nail etc. Riding on with a nail may produce severe tyre damage. On the other hand, might also stop a blow out at 70!

Nobby

Nobby, thanks for that info. I didn't think a can of tire fix would work on a tire with tubes. When I read about 'ride on' it seemed a little expensive for a slime that would be dumped when you replaced your tires. And I've never heard from anyone who could state that it works, except for some testimony on their web site.
leonard

I'd be cautious with these sealants and check the warning labels. In the past they were flammable and could ignite with a spark when changing the tire. This warning was common a few years ago with car tires - perhaps the product has evolved into something safer?

If safe, I guess it makes good sense to carry a can on trips.

I've looked at lots of these 'fix-a-flat' aerosol cans but I have yet to come across one that says that it's safe to use in a motorcycle tire. I just want to make sure that if I pick one up and need to use it then it won't create any weird balance issues when the wheels are spinning.

It sure beats trying to pull a tire off to patch a tube on the road. If a can could get me to a dealer or garage, I'd be very happy...

[url]http://www.ride-on.com/technica.htm[url/]
It looks like the "ride on" system is not flammable. It's always a good thing when your ride doesn't catch on fire.

If I remember correctly, I posted that link...
The site says it can be used in tubes or tubeless tires, and it is definitely not flammable.
Fix-A-Flat and other sealants are not only flammable, but people who kept a can of it in their car trunks have had it explode on hot days....
So if you come out of the bar one hot afternoon and one of your saddlebags is missing........

Since I've always had wire rims and tubes, I just carry a hot patch kit and a bicycle pump. The spraycan stuff tends to do wierd things in tubes.

Used a can from walmart of slimmey green stuff, only partially fixed puncture, leaked everywhere on slow ride home and the dealer who then took tire off was not particularly happy, took days to clean green rubber solution off wheel and rear end, would only use this type of product again if I was really desperate.

I keep a can of the three bond seal n air in my toolkit. It's made for MC tires. About 1/2 the size of a fix a flat can.

Matt, I went to my local shop and asked for three bond seal, but they never heard of it. All they would recommend was green slime which they use on their small dirt bikes. Where did you find it?
Thanks, leonard

Wow, thats a good question. Do a google search. I think I bought it on-line. It's been 3 years since I bought it. Maybe JC Whitney has it.

Matt, I found it at Riders Choice which is in Lancaster, about a hour ride from here. Thanks
leonard

Rick,

You might want to shoot Jethro666 an email. He has had several flats at work and carries an aerosol tire sealant with him. Not sure which brand he uses but it works for him.

Fred

in light of not finding anything 'suitable' i actually carry plain old gunk punture seal (the hose in in the cap and stays unkinked and uncrushed) and won't get caught without it. it won't fully inflate your tire but will get you to a gas station and then home and then to the dealer the next day. at least it has for me and more than once.