Tire Plug Procedure with pics

[bomber]

I've had a motorcycle mechanic friend tell me to use the string type plugs. They are made of rawhide, and are less likely to be cut by any belt movement in the tire carcass. The mushroom ones are less robust and can more easily be sliced

Rawhide?

sure seemed like some kinda rubber compound to me, but I'll admit I didn't give it to a dog to chew . . . . . .

[squeezer]

...They are made of rawhide...

Okay, that's new.

I do prefer the string type plugs, though the ones I've used are rubber. With one particularly tough hole, in the middle of nowhere, I had a chance to try mushrooms, strings, bullets, and even Slime. Nothing held, but the strings held best. They're all I carry now.

[OrangeSVS]

Do I really need to use those rubber stings? Or, in a pinch, could I just use like a slim jim or some beef jerky instead?

[Giaka]

Do I really need to use those rubber stings? Or, in a pinch, could I just use like a slim jim or some beef jerky instead?

Slim Jim for sure.

I have two freaking rubber stringy plugs in my Versys front tire. First one was inserted after picking up a nail on the way home from the dealer when I bought it. Second one was put in about 1000 miles later. That tire lasted 8000 miles and the plugs held up fine. As always YMMV.....

[919]

Slim Jim for sure.

I have two freaking rubber stringy plugs in my Versys front tire. First one was inserted after picking up a nail on the way home from the dealer when I bought it. Second one was put in about 1000 miles later. That tire lasted 8000 miles and the plugs held up fine. As always YMMV.....

Running on 2 plugs in the front?  You're a braver man than I.

[bomber]

agreed -- I don't think I'd do a track day with one (or more) strings in a tahr, not start a cross country trip with em, but these things work really well . . . ..  

[napper]

I don't bother deflating a tire before I plug it.  What little air pressure is left makes it easier to insert the plug without pushing the tread down to the rim.  The air escaping from the hole you are plugging does spit some of the rubber cement back at you, though.

[919]

I don't bother deflating a tire before I plug it.  What little air pressure is left makes it easier to insert the plug without pushing the tread down to the rim.  The air escaping from the hole you are plugging does spit some of the rubber cement back at you, though.

That's what I was most worried about, that the cement wouldn't get as much penetration into the hole and inside the tire.  It definitely would have been easier with some pressure in the tire but I could feel the air blast on my face pretty hard at arms length.

[ScotchFan]

I have a HF $20 compressor I carry. Up to 120 psi and will inflate a car tire in 4 minutes. Maybe 2 minutes for a bike tire. Gets you back on road quicker. Draws lots of Amos though so I rigged up a robust charging harness and changed the plug to match the harness. Fits in Smuggler or hardbags on the ST1300 with worms and tools for flats in a zippered case. Well worth twice the price of the slime unit. Harbor freight sells the same worms with R handle tops for $5. Just saying.

[J-Mac]

I've never used cement with the vulcanized plugs, and never had an issue.

[919]

I didn't see any string type plugs labeled 'vulcanized' in the store I was in.  They only carried the Slime brand stuff though.  Not having to carry rubber cement on the bike would be better because you wouldn't have to deal with a possible leak and once the seal is broken on the tube you can't trust it to be good for the next time you need it.

[billo]

http://www.stromtrooper.com/maintenance-how/36123-plugging-tire-tutorial-several-pics.html

[servicerifle]

Everyone has their preferences of course, and with all due respect to those who have the more complicated/sophisticated kits, I think there's a bit of justification that goes with those kits.  On the other hand, the sticky string just plain works.  I see no reason to spend more while simultaneously lowering the success likelihood.

I find the Napa brand sticky string plug kit is one of the best, as the reamer is more aggressive and also the handles are in line with the reamer and insertion tool, rather than at 90 degrees, thus taking up less space.

[sprint_st]

Got the plugger and have used it, but I have reverted to strings.  There are different types of plugs.  Some are self vulcanizing, some you use glue but the gun itself recommends using some kind of oil to insert the plug.  Some plugs are longer than others.  If you have steel belted radials, I can testify that they WILL cut the head off the plug and come out.    ALL the pluggers have a disclaimer stating they are temporary fixes.  Strings just seem to stay in better.

[photomd]

What a great, Old School STN thread!  

Great info and great job 919!

[reppans]

While gummy plugs are good to get you out of a jam (I carry them on my bike too), the preferred and permanent method is the radial plug/patch, installed from inside the tire.

+1 on the internally installed plug/patch.  This is only permanent repair that a motorcycle tire manufacturer recommend and is also the only type of repair that the reputable car tire retailer/installer chains will do on autos as well.  

http://www.dunlopmotorcycle.com/infocenter_faq.asp?id=12#faq

The risk of the externally installed plug (whether it's a stringy type or Stop&Go bullet plug) is that it may eventually get sawed in half by the tire's belts/steel cords from the millions of wheel revolutions and flex cycles.  Then, if the "head" part in the tire falls loose (as there's nothing really holding it in place anymore), you have sudden air loss.  The internally installed patch is glued to the inside, over a large scrubbed down surface area, and will still hold air, even if the plug part gets sawed off.  The other "safety factor" of the internally installed plug/patch, is that you get to inspect the interior of the tire and check that the nail has not damaged the integrity of the belts/cords/interior of the tire, beyond what you can see from the outside.

Having said all that, I'm sure that there's loads of anecdotal evidence that people have run externally installed string/bullet type plug for tens of thousands of miles without a problem.  We all choose our own risk level.  YMMV  

[Chuck 500]

Thanks for the post.  It will really help those of us who have not had to do this (yet).  I made up a similar kit with the same pump.  Also added an extension tool I picked up at Cycle Gear for another $10.  The tool screws into the pump hose and has a quick release end for the tire.

Here is a picture of the kit



And packed



I have added a small pair of pliers.

Thanks again,

Chuck

[servicerifle]

At risk of being called a "Sticky String Dead Horse Beater" I'll post a reference link here:

http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,64839.0.html  

[919]

1 year and about 4,000 miles later, tire is still holding air.  I'd say it works.

[Andrew]

Thanks for the post.  It will really help those of us who have not had to do this (yet).  I made up a similar kit with the same pump.  Also added an extension tool I picked up at Cycle Gear for another $10.  The tool screws into the pump hose and has a quick release end for the tire.

Here is a picture of the kit



And packed



I have added a small pair of pliers.

Thanks again,

Chuck

   Looks just like the kit I carry on the GSA  (same Wally World pump and strings) My last pump went with my sisters kid when I gave him a car. I replaced it with the W/W one. Haven't used it yet (knock on wood), Any complaints?

On the KLR I have patches for the tube and switch the pump from the GSA before heading out.