My Flat Tire

[Fuzzy]

Leaving the hotel before 5 AM this morning to be at the mill for start-up of equipment I installed over the weekend, I found the rear tire totally flat. Called mill to tell them I would be late and started working on tire. I have been carrying a Pocket Stop and Go Tire Plug Kit for 4 years and never used it.

Never having used it added some time to understand instructions and figure out the pieces using a flashlight to see. I found the problem and pulled out a small cotter pin. It was a small hole so a bit of work to get the reamer in to prepare the hole. The kit uses muchroom plugs which went in fine but takes a good bit of force on the allen wrench to push the plug through the insertion tool. Instructions say to turn until it stops. First one I thought was done and wasn't so threw the plug out and used another one.

Next was to use the CO2 cartridges to inflate the tire. After 2 cartridges checked and had 10psi. Used other 2 and had a whoppinng 16.5 psi. First time I have used them and I am no longer a fan of the cartridges. Got out my slime air pump and hooked to battery - nothing. Thoughts of a recent thread to check the pump now and then and I haven't used it for a couple years. Checked the fuse on the lead and it was missing. Vague memories of having borrowed it some time. Hotel van driver let me plug into his cigarete lighter and that lead doesn't have a fuse. Got it up to 39 psi when the Delta flight crew came out needing their ride to the airport. 39 psi was plenty to get to a gas station pump. Gave the driver a nice tip for his help which was greatly appreciated.

Lucky (or maybe just my excellent work ) the equipment started up fine so they didn't miss me at mill too much. We will see how well the mushroom plug holds air. I bought a fuse for the compressor so it can be used on the bike now. Don't want to plug into Honda outlet in Frunk as the small fuse on it will probably blow.

If the tire has a slow leak I will look for a replacement in Daytona later this week. If holding pressure I will just ride for now. I did spit on plug and see no bubbles.

 

[silverhound]

Glad you got back up and running. I carry that same kit and a mini-compressor, no CO2. I also carry the sticky strings and extra fuses. Hope I never have to use any of them but I hear that the plugs work great. Safe travels, hope the plug holds.

 

[NCer]

I have the same kit. Worked fine on a few occasions on the bike and the car. I am just a bit concerned that in 4 years the rubber plugs could have dried out some... Hope they hold!!!

 

[StratTuner]

Congrats on getting it all done! I learn something every time I read a "real" story like that, and I'm glad to hear yours.

I've used the CO2 for bicycle tires, but it doesn't seem the right application on a motorcycle.... too much volume for the little cartridge. (that's the lesson I get from your story)
I carry an electrical pump and the string type plugs. I hope I never have to use them, but when the tire is flat, suddenly it's good to have at least something to work with!

 

[SergeantChuck]

Sorry about your luck man. It seems you never get a flat when it is convenient. I've never used a "muchroom" plug. Never used a mushroom one either. I take it the large end goes in first and the button top is supposed to help seal and prevent its coming out of place. I have a tendency to venture off the main roads. I really need to carry something like this. Thanks for the story.

 

[Fuzzy]

I have the same kit. Worked fine on a few occasions on the bike and the car. I am just a bit concerned that in 4 years the rubber plugs could have dried out some... Hope they hold!!!

The plugs were in a sealed plastic bag and looked a little greasy. Only rode 6 miles to mill, but just checked and no loss of pressure in tire after 6 hours.

 

[Fuzzy]

Congrats on getting it all done! I learn something every time I read a "real" story like that, and I'm glad to hear yours.

I've used the CO2 for bicycle tires, but it doesn't seem the right application on a motorcycle.... too much volume for the little cartridge. (that's the lesson I get from your story)
I carry an electrical pump and the string type plugs. I hope I never have to use them, but when the tire is flat, suddenly it's good to have at least something to work with!

Had I not got my pump working the CO2 would have allowed a slow ride to a gas station. I just hadn't dreamed that 4 was not enough to inflate one MC tire.

 

[Fuzzy]

Sorry about your luck man. It seems you never get a flat when it is convenient. I've never used a "muchroom" plug. Never used a mushroom one either. I take it the large end goes in first and the button top is supposed to help seal and prevent its coming out of place. I have a tendency to venture off the main roads. I really need to carry something like this. Thanks for the story.

Where is spell check when you need it? Of course on this forum someone will always help with spelling.

My first thought was where am I going to find an MC shop open on Monday then remembered "I have a repair kit!" Definitely got my money's worth on this one fix.

Not sure there is such a thing as a convenient time for a flat? Maybe if I was trying for a good excuse to avoid something?

 

[mpgandfun]

Same kit here too. I've used it three times. I have the CO2, 12V mini compressor & a good quality bicycle hand pump.
I completely aired up my rear tire in less than 15 minutes with the hand pump. The other 2 methods are my "backup" methods now.


The hand pump is lighter and less likely to fail than the inexpensive 12V mini compressors.
I know many people aren't fans of riding with a plug in, but I've gone over 3000 miles on one

When I'm traveling, I keep a large empty pill bottle full of shampoo with me. It serves a dual purpose: Its good for
cleaning me up and all I need is a little water & I've got lube to remove a tire and then suds to check for a leak after the job is done.

 

[SergeantChuck]

Where is spell check when you need it? Of course on this forum someone will always help with spelling.

My first thought was where am I going to find an MC shop open on Monday then remembered "I have a repair kit!" Definitely got my money's worth on this one fix.

Not sure there is such a thing as a convenient time for a flat? Maybe if I was trying for a good excuse to avoid something?

I'm sorry man. If it were a simple word I would have left it alone. Lord knows I can't spell. Had to give you a bad time. Seriously though I told the wife if she wants to get me something for my BDay she can get me a tire repair kit for the bike. She liked that idea.

 

[L.B.S.]

...Next was to use the CO2 cartridges to inflate the tire. After 2 cartridges checked and had 10psi. Used other 2 and had a whoppinng 16.5 psi. First time I have used them and I am no longer a fan of the cartridges...

Which size of CO2 cartridges did you use? Don't forget that they come in different sizes, with more volume available. 12 gram, 16 gram, 20 gram etc.

I don't use my cartridges for primary fill up; they are only a last resort emergency back up.

Don't forget the cartridges are mainly meant for bicycle tires with high pressure/low volume, so it's not really their "fault" that it takes a few of them to air up a high volume/low pressure motorcycle tire.

I carry 6 of the 16 gram size squirrelled away in various cubby holes around the bike, plus good quality rubber cement, spare valve cores, valve cap/core removal combos, spare fuses for the air compressor, etc.

 

[Fuzzy]

Which size of CO2 cartridges did you use? Don't forget that they come in different sizes, with more volume available. 12 gram, 16 gram, 20 gram etc.

I don't use my cartridges for primary fill up; they are only a last resort emergency back up.

Don't forget the cartridges are mainly meant for bicycle tires with high pressure/low volume, so it's not really their "fault" that it takes a few of them to air up a high volume/low pressure motorcycle tire.

I carry 6 of the 16 gram size squirrelled away in various cubby holes around the bike, plus good quality rubber cement, spare valve cores, valve cap/core removal combos, spare fuses for the air compressor, etc.

All good advice.

The kit came with four 16 gram ones.

May still carry some CO2, but sure won't expect a full tire out of them. As I said 16 psi would have enabled me to at least travel slowly to a gas station. I will look for a bigger size. I have seen them large enough to supposedly set the bead on a tire.

 

[RiderCoach]

Thanks for the post. Just reminded me to get the tire repair supplies out of the saddle bag and check to insure everything is present and working.

 

[anglachel]

Don't forget the cartridges are mainly meant for bicycle tires with high pressure/low volume, so it's not really their "fault" that it takes a few of them to air up a high volume/low pressure motorcycle tire.

I had them for my bicycle years back... until I got a flat. Wouldn't fill up a mountain bike tire either. I had to walk to the nearest gas station that day (second nearest cause the nearest wanted change for air and I had none, I carry quarters in the patch kit now)

I carry a hand pump on the bicycle now, for a little while I carried both the hand pump and the CO2, which worked great when I did get a flat, I could patch it pump until I was tired (~40psi) and then use the CO2 to push it up some more at the higher pressures (60-70 is usually my goal on the bicycle on the road). Think I gave the CO2 to my little brother for his road bike, narrower smaller tires he can get it to rideable on one cartridge (40-50 PSI) but he can't get it up to his normal pressure either (110psi).

CO2 is for pushing beer out of the keg, use regular air in the tires.

Now I need to find a patch kit and a compressor to carry on the NC... preferably before I get my first flat (though carrying something will probably ward them off for a while)

 

[Fuzzy]

Now I need to find a patch kit and a compressor to carry on the NC... preferably before I get my first flat (though carrying something will probably ward them off for a while)

Good idea. Worked 4 years for me.

 

[Harald]

Fuzzy said:
"I bought a fuse for the compressor so it can be used on the bike now. Don't want to plug into Honda outlet in Frunk as the small fuse on it will probably blow."

I'm pretty sure that all those little compressors draw about 4 of 5 times the capacity of the frunk outlet. I think mine is rated at about 10 amps. The fuse should last about 1 milli-second.

I love it when a plan comes together (being prepared for emergencies). Let us know how those plugs hold up. I've always used the sticky strings. I've have heard of failures of both plugs and sticky strings, but my unofficial tally shows more failures of the plugs that simply get spit out of the hole (probably has to due with how jagged the hole was). Sticky strings have an advantage there because they conform to rough holes and when installed correctly, won't spit out.

With that said, I did plug a rear tire with sticky string last year that was nearing the end of it's life. After over 1000 miles, it started having a slow leak. I don't know that I can blame the string because the tire was well below the wear bars and should have been replaced a while back anyway.

 

[Fuzzy]

I will keep you informed on how it works. 30 miles today speeds up to 60mph and holding fine.

I looked on Amazon and 80+% gave it 5 star rating. Others complained of difficulty turning screw or slow leak.

Watched video and learned something. Said to SLOWLY screw in CO2 canister for maximum inflation. I did it fast. Not sure why it makes a difference.

 

[danrev]

I had them for my bicycle years back... until I got a flat. Wouldn't fill up a mountain bike tire either. I had to walk to the nearest gas station that day (second nearest cause the nearest wanted change for air and I had none, I carry quarters in the patch kit now)

Good idea on carrying quarters. A lot of stations make you pay for air now. Bummer.

 

[Wcmike]

Aren't you meeting OCR this week on your way to bike week? I think he will to use Ride-on with your next tire.

I just got back from Bikeweek. I didn't see much in the way of deals. Just lots of t-shirts and leather and a nice Amsoil dealer at Destination Daytona near where you got those foot pegs in October.

Good luck with the tire.

 

[Fuzzy]

Good idea on carrying quarters. A lot of stations make you pay for air now. Bummer.

Lots of quarters. Sticker shock yesterday at $1.25.