Frustrating Ride and a Question

[motospeed9058]

I've been looking forward all summer to a trip around the lakes.  That fell apart, so plan be was a long weekend run to Maine.  I figured I'd play around in the Adriondacks on the way.  Yesterday was an awsome day, today...............most roads in the park have a fresh line of tar snakes all the way around, and to top it off, it was pouring rain all day.  Topped with trying to watch for the numerous deer that kept popping through, today was just all around frustrating, and no fun.  Then as I finally pull out of the rain after being in it all day, I take a break and notice that I have some sort of sharp object embedded at an angle in my rear tire.  

So the qustion to you all:  If the tire hasn't lost any air, is it safe to pull this projectile out?  I've always been under the assumption that if something is in the tire, it would at least develop a slow leak.  I've been watching the pressures since I discovered it, and it hasn't changed at all.  

No my dilema is that I'm 1000 miles from home, chances are, a dealer doesn't carry the odd Concours size tire, so now I'm stuck until they can get one in.  GGGRRRR, frustrating.  Any ideas?  

P.S.  the tire is pretty well used and was getting replaced upon my return home, so I doubt I can get anybody to plug it since it's worn pretty good.  I also wouldn't be comfortable with a plug for over 1000 miles.

[ragtoplvr]

Here is what I did in a similar situation.

I spit on the object, look for tiny bubbles, found none, then gently wiggle the object.  Still no bubbles so pulled it out, small nail.  No bubbles then ride and watch it close for the first few miles.

Later when the tire was worn out (several thousand miles)  I probed the hole, and it never made it past the cords.

This is simply  recounting what I did, of course you should immediately replace the tire.

Rod

[thatguy]

You can't leave it in the tire.If it hasn't penetrated it will.You travel without some sort of repair kit?Pull it out.If you must repair it a good auto tire shop can do a good patch job to get you home.Hell Larry does track days on plugged tires.

[Tar Snake]

If it looks like nail or screw size leave it in (just putt around town) and go buy a patch kit. If there are no m/c shops an auto parts place will have tubeless patches, glue and tool to jam the patch in. They may not have air or CO2 cartriges so ride to a gas station and then pull the object out.

If you're lucky it doesn't leak, and you now have a patch kit. If you're unlucky plug the tire and re-inflate.

Some people won't ride on a patched tire. I've never had a problem.

You can't patch a sidewall cut, or patch if it the puncture is in the tread near the sidewall.

[kevin_stevens]

*First* go buy a plug kit and some inflation method.

*Then* pull whatever it is out.

If it doesn't leak, hold a good thought and keep the kit with you.

If it does leak, plug it.

KeS

[motospeed9058]

I spit on the object, look for tiny bubbles, found none, then gently wiggle the object.  Still no bubbles so pulled it out, small nail.  No bubbles then ride and watch it close for the first few miles.

So much for that idea, as soon as I started to wriggle the bubbles started to show up.  When I stopped wriggling, the bubbles stopped.  So it's definately punctured.

[Mastros2]

*First* go buy a plug kit and some inflation method.

*Then* pull whatever it is out.

If it doesn't leak, hold a good thought and keep the kit with you.

If it does leak, plug it.

KeS

That's the plan!  

[ragtoplvr]

get a pump,and a plug kit NOW.

Then have fun

Rod

[Rude_Rydah]

Absolutely plug that thing!  If done well, it'll last as long as your tire.  That foreign object will certainly cause yoi trouble if you leave it in (it'll either be forced in further until it IS a leak or it'll work itself out leaving a possible hole).

Patching is easy and it'll get you home.

Make sure you're near an air source before pulling the object out.  Use PLENTY of rubber cement. Ream that whole like you imagine shah would.  Think about other things when you're riding.

[Mastros2]

So Moto, what happened?  

[Bjorn Toulouse]

He's waiting for more replies on what to do next.  


Rex

[Flashmo]

*First* go buy a plug kit and some inflation method.

*Then* pull whatever it is out.

If it doesn't leak, hold a good thought and keep the kit with you.

If it does leak, plug it.

KeS

Another vote for:

Plug it, ride it home.

[zer0netgain]

I got at least two punctures of my rear tire on an 8,000+ mile trip.  Plugged each time.  Used an inflator/sealer product.  Checked the tire pressure every morning.  So long as you aren't loosing more than 5 psi a day, you'll be fine until you get home.  Most any gas station or "truck stop" will have those inflation/sealer things for sale.  Or, stop at any auto parts store along the way.

If this was a track day, I'd say no.  For sport touring, the tire will do you fine if it's just a puncture.

[JoeRider]

Best, smartest, safest thing is replace the tire.  

A plug can help, a path is betgter but they real;lya re for emergencies.

Canb you go 2k across country being safe and not going over 80, dont know if its doable or pruident.

I had a nail on a 3k tire - found out when inspecting.  I wound up wearing the head off.  I didnt drive conservatively or responsibly. I am dang lucky or blessed.  The nail was 3-4 inches inside the tire (purposefully looked when it was replacedat 7k).

Be safe, live longer.   There has to be a dealt on the east coat, bmw, honda, whatever that has a tire for you.

[highside]

Just leaving it in the tire guarantees that it will fully puncture it down the line. Furthermore, if you remove it and air starts pouring out, then consider yourself lucky that it didnt fly out in the middle of a turn 100 miles from the nearest gas station. Get a puncture repair kit (should have one anyways) then pull it out.

[JoeRider]

Just leaving it in the tire guarantees that it will fully puncture it down the line. Furthermore, if you remove it and air starts pouring out, then consider yourself lucky that it didnt fly out in the middle of a turn 100 miles from the nearest gas station. Get a puncture repair kit (should have one anyways) then pull it out.

I will admit, its cheap asnd easy, available at most gas stations (7-11's) and pep boys.