Plugging a Bike Tire - Harley Forum

unclepsycho · #1 06-24-2009, 09:45 PM

I have always heard not to plug bike tires, but I have anyways with no problems until this last one did and it was on the back of the Ultra. after about 200 miles the plug blew out at approx 70 mph and it was a wild-ass ride for a few seconds till I got 'er stopped. That is the only plug failure I have had other than a couplle with slow leeks.

Why dont they recomend plugging a bike tire?

Is it the tire company's that say that? so they can sell more tires??

Just wondering.

frisco-rigid · #2 06-24-2009, 10:32 PM

Hi Unc

I bet a dime to a doughnut (you know how much I like doughnuts) it's mostly for a safety reason..
If your plug fails on a car you still have 3 tires to lose control with, but on a sickle, well, you get the idea I'm sure..

And I bet the tire Co.'s want you to buy instead of fix,,,, hey, isn't that why HD has tried to put Independant shops outa bizz and even tried to Patent the freakin exhaust note,,,, pricks..

Anyway,, for us regular Joes that have the common sense to use our common sense, I think it's one of those very personal things..
Since I started running tubeless I've not thought twice about plugging and running full speed for the life of the tire,, others, I'm sure, wouldn't think about plugging even get home with,, such is life..

unclepsycho · #3 06-24-2009, 10:39 PM

Hi Frisco

I kept that $150 tire that the plug failed, but am a bit leery of using it. espesialy on the Ultra when riding with the missus on the back. Now I will soon have the Shovel, I can use it on the back to do burnouts etc......

Gas Man · #4 06-24-2009, 11:52 PM

I'm not sure why most people don't plug. I have plugged many car tires. My next door neighbor runs a small tire shop and that's all he does. Simple cause its easier, cheaper, and many times doesn't require the wheel coming off the vechicle. I won't comment about the bike so I don't jinx myslef. However, even in my cars, I run 130+ with plugs.

Now sometimes if you catch a big piece of somin... next time install 2 plugs in the same hole at the same time.

Many companies tell you not to twist the plug before pulling out the insertion tool. But do it. It balls up and that is one more element to keep the plug in the hole.

The real good rubber plugs will melt and bond right into the tire itself. The ones I've done end up being real hard to find afterwards.

All of that being said... I have even picked up a on the road tire plug kit.

It accepts both threaded and non-threaded CO2 carts. So i picked up some non-threaded CO2 to help refill the tire.

Tbone · #5 06-25-2009, 12:11 AM

I don't know why I'm readin this. I have tubes. I wish I could plug and go.

Gas Man · #6 06-25-2009, 12:15 AM

Yeah the wife's laced nightster does too. Guess I'm screwed on that one.

aceharleywrench · #7 06-25-2009, 07:18 AM

Don't get rid of that tire the plug blew out of,run a tube in it till it needs replacing & then go back to tubeless.

Tbone · #8 06-25-2009, 09:16 AM

Way back in the day, I busted tires for money while in college. I fixed a lot of flats. The service manager would plug tires (so he wouldn't have to sweat) with a rubber plug and glue when I wasn't there to patch the tires. I saw a lot of radial tires that had been plugged come back in the shop at a later date with the belts slipped and the warranty voided because they had been plugged. This caused numerous heated discussions. I refused to plug a tire for the next 30 years.
A while back I took a tire off my wifes car in to be fixed. I saw the guy get out the plug equipment and went out in the shop to stop him. The service manager came out and I explained that I wanted the tire dismounted and a patch put inside. He guaranteed me that if I would allow him to plug that tire, he would give me a new tire if it failed. He showed me the plug they now use. It is made of some type of glue impregnated fiber. He said this new plug has been around for some time and he had never had one fail. I noticed that they didn't ream the hole in the tire out with that round rasp anymore, also.
I think plugs have come a long way in 30 years and would probably trust one now.
Now, if I only had tubeless rims on my bike.

unclepsycho · #9 06-26-2009, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aceharleywrench

Don't get rid of that tire the plug blew out of,run a tube in it till it needs replacing & then go back to tubeless.

Thanks Ace, I didnt want to run it with a plug, but it has so much tread, That's a perfect Idea.

Thanks!