Plugging tires, got a flat.....

[Bob Pressler]

So last Saturday I take a long solo jaunt up thru North Jersey, lower
Catskills of NY & upper NE in PA. 480 miles w/ NO problems.
Sunday, a short 150 mile ride for breakfast w/ the SO & friends.
At a mid way point for a short stop I notice what looks like a staple
from a cardboard box in my rear tire. So after the 'spit test' it's holding air, a check of my tire pressure confirms this. Now this staple doesn't look too imbeded, with a little tug on it. So I decide to remove it. Are you with me? guess what!
ssssssss!!! Shit!!!! Brand new Metzeler Z6 w @ 1800 miles on it. The staple
was in the groove near the center of the tread.
Out comes the plug kit, don't ask me why but I added the little rope style
plugs to my kit long ago. Now I get to use them. The BMW style wouldn't go
into the hole with out self destructing. So I used the rope style. It's been
holding air. Now with about 250 miles since plugged. So I decide I need
to inact a more permanet repair a remove the tire from rim (eaisier than I
thought with no beed breaker), my temp repair is holding good.
I plan on plugging it with a from the inside out thru the hole style plug.

So I know a few here will say replace the tire, thank you.
How many have plugged your tires a kept on riding? Thats what I want to
know. Anybody experience a flat with the Z6 yet?

BTW my $10 compressor from WalMart worked like a champ!!

Thanks in advance for your comments (+ & -).

[JimVonBaden]

Actually, it depends on what you put in. The Z6 is a steel belted radial and it tends to saw off regular rubber plugs like the ones that have a patch and a plug built in.

The best repair was actually what you had in it already. The rope type plugs resist being destroyed by the steel belts.

Jim:cool:

PS If the plug is properly done I think they are fine!

[baddean]

I'll second what Jim said. I have used the rope type plugs now for several years and have found that they hold up very well both in the center of the tire and the side wall.
Ream the hole well with the plug tool, apply fresh glue and install the rope plug with a twist. Cut the excess off close to the tire surface to avoid it slapping around and I have found that they last as long as the tire.
Dean

[gezerbike]

I too picked up a small nail on my rear Z6 in what appears to be the same location. I used the rope type plug along with a little rubber cement but after trimming, I light the plug and let it melt a little into the tire , then blow it out.....learned it years ago while working in a real gas station where we repaired tires. I had about 6,000 miles on my Z6 when I plugged it....took it to the Dells rally last week and spent Saturday afternoon chasin' each other at truly illegal speeds on some GREAT Wisconsin roads and the tire was just fine....I now have 7,000 miles on the tire and I am going to try for 8,000 but that will be it for the tire......not spectacular mileage but these are great tires...no cupping ands they really hold the road well....I will get another set.

[Bob Pressler]

The rope plug is in now and holding well. Like I said, it's got about 250 mi,
on it now. I want to patch plug it with this:
http://www.stopngo.com/images/motorc11.gif

It would get vulcanized onto inside of tire & the small plug would
seal the hole. (source of photo, stopngo.com )

[Bob Pressler]

Here's a pic with the rope plug. The tire is off the rim in this shot.
http://PVR-405.smugmug.com/photos/8690105-M.jpg

Plug on the inside:
http://PVR-405.smugmug.com/photos/8690107-M.jpg



http://PVR-405.smugmug.com/photos/8690108-M.jpg

Like my high tech tire changer? Two 5 gallon pails and a towel.


http://PVR-405.smugmug.com/photos/8690280-M.jpg


Sorry no pics of new patch plug going in.
Tommorrow, (Sunday & 70*) will be the true test, heading up to Bethel Ny (Woodstock) for some BBQ!!
http://www.townofbethel.com/dining2.htm