Fixing a tire with a slow leak from the inside?

FatChance · 09-21-2009, 10:34 AM

My wife's 1150GS's rear tire (Tourance) has a slow leak. We noticed it while up in Ouray a week ago when she said her bike was handling "funny". The tire only had about 5lb of air in it. I filled it up with the pump I carry on my GS. I found a place on the tread that slowly bubbled when I put some spit on it and it seemed minor enough to ride the 80 miles home and monitor it. It didn't lose any air on the ride home. But I checked today and the tire is about flat again.

I just got my Harbor Freight motorcycle tire changer and thought this would be a good first use. Instead of putting in a plug or something like that, is there a patching system to use to repair it from the inside? Are there self-vulcanizing patches available and would this be better than reaming the tiny hole and putting in a plug? Are there special kinds of patches or can I use a tube patch?

mctaggert · 09-21-2009, 11:12 AM

I patched the rear tire on a friend's old K75 using this "from the inside" technique. I used a patch kit from the auto parts store. It worked fine and lasted several thousand miles until the tread was toast. Before scuffing the patch area, I did clean the inside surface with some acetone or alcohol, I can't remember which.

Someone had stuck a utility knife in the tire and a worm plug just would not work.

Jamie Z · 09-21-2009, 02:08 PM

Jamie

Dieselboy · 09-21-2009, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FatChance

My wife's 1150GS's rear tire (Tourance) has a slow leak. We noticed it while up in Ouray a week ago when she said her bike was handling "funny". The tire only had about 5lb of air in it. I filled it up with the pump I carry on my GS. I found a place on the tread that slowly bubbled when I put some spit on it and it seemed minor enough to ride the 80 miles home and monitor it. It didn't lose any air on the ride home. But I checked today and the tire is about flat again.

I just got my Harbor Freight motorcycle tire changer and thought this would be a good first use. Instead of putting in a plug or something like that, is there a patching system to use to repair it from the inside? Are there self-vulcanizing patches available and would this be better than reaming the tiny hole and putting in a plug? Are there special kinds of patches or can I use a tube patch?

Have not seen "self-vulcanizing" so if you find some let me know.

If you are not replacing the tire, definitly patch from the inside vice plugging only.

There are several threads in here on the topic.

FatChance · 09-21-2009, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jamie Z

Jamie

Jamie - That is exactly the repair kit I got at NAPA today. The hole is so small, I cannot imagine what caused it. It takes a week for the tire to go flat and held air for 80 miles. I should have the tire off tomorrow or Wednesday so I can see what it is like inside. If the hole is larger inside and/or whatever punctured it is still in there, I'll go ahead and ream it and put in a plug and a patch as long as the tire is off.

FatChance · 09-21-2009, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dieselboy

Have not seen "self-vulcanizing" so if you find some let me know.

If you are not replacing the tire, definitly patch from the inside vice plugging only.

There are several threads in here on the topic.

I'm sorry, I mis-remembered the term.

I did a search for "vice plugging" and "vice plug" and came up empty. What is vice plugging"? Would that be like using a C-clamp to clamp in the patch over the hole until it fully cures?

Lone Rider · 09-21-2009, 05:38 PM

If it twas moi, I'd shoot some type of fix-a-flat in it.
The inner patch Jamie showed, and that you bought, will fix it, and you get to play with your new tire toy.

There are also larger patches made, and I used to carry one in case of a badly sliced tire.

Dieselboy · 09-21-2009, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FatChance

I'm sorry, I mis-remembered the term.

I did a search for "vice plugging" and "vice plug" and came up empty. What is vice plugging"? Would that be like using a C-clamp to clamp in the patch over the hole until it fully cures?

Sorry, I guess it's jargon from my day job: "instead of plugging" it only.

FWIW, I have ridden thousands of miles on patched tires, but you have to make the safety call yourself. This topic has the potential to take off with nay-sayers about plugs, patches, radial v. bias ply, etc.... I was trying to avoid an opinion on that which might start the avalanche. But it sounds to me that your hole is perfect for the patch kit pictured above. I'd follow FatChance's advice and wouldn't worry about it again.

(EDIT: okay so it's your own advice- pardon my density. I think you have it right.)

Just follow the instructions on the package.

supertireguy · 09-21-2009, 06:49 PM

* TIRE REPAIRS - PLUG/PATCH *

There are two types of puncture repairs for tires. Outside-In plugs (temporary) and Inside-Out plugs (permanent).

The most common on the road tire fix is the outside-in repair. These repair kits typically include a specialized piece of sticky rope or a mini-mushroom type plug. This outside-in type of repair does not require removing the tire from the wheel and is applied from the outside of the tire. This type of repair is considered temporary, allowing the rider to limp the bike back home or to a service shop where a proper inside-out repair can be done or by having a new tire installed. Some riders report this repair lasts the life of the tire. You mileage may vary.

The other method is the inside-out repair. This method is difficult to do on the side of the road. This preferred repair method requires removing the tire from the wheel, drilling out the hole to a more uniform size and installing the plug/patch from the inside of the tire. I use the Uni-Seal 250UL plugs for my customer tire repairs. This is the only 'approved' method for proper and permanent repairs of tire punctures.

Tire Slime inflate-a-flat type products are an alternate method for temporary tire repairs. This approach is also a temporary fix. Some folks report this tire slime method lasts the life of the tire. Used long term these tire slime products can cause corrosion to alloy wheels. Please warn the tire technician if you have slime inside your tire before they begin work. Tire slime makes a mess when you remove the tire.

All tire repairs affect the maximum speed rating of the tire. Repaired tires are not approved for speeds over 70mph. If you are running an inner tube type tire these plug repairs do not work. A new or patched/repaired inner tube is required.

http://www.dunloptires.com/care/repair.html

Fire Escape · 09-27-2009, 10:30 PM

+1 on the Plug-Patch! Those shown look like a more modern version than the ones I got from JC Whitney back in the early 90s, have to look for some as I am almost out. I have been using them for 15+ years. They will work on tube or tubeless tires (yes, you have to repair or replace the tube as well as patch the tire for the tube-type. They have worked for me on a CBR 1000, a 3/4 ton truck and several vehicles in between. YMMV.

Bruce

09-21-2009, 10:34 AM	#1
FatChance ^OP Road Captain Joined: Jun 2003 Location: Durango, Colorado, USA Oddometer: 9,307	Fixing a tire with a slow leak from the inside? My wife's 1150GS's rear tire (Tourance) has a slow leak. We noticed it while up in Ouray a week ago when she said her bike was handling "funny". The tire only had about 5lb of air in it. I filled it up with the pump I carry on my GS. I found a place on the tread that slowly bubbled when I put some spit on it and it seemed minor enough to ride the 80 miles home and monitor it. It didn't lose any air on the ride home. But I checked today and the tire is about flat again. I just got my Harbor Freight motorcycle tire changer and thought this would be a good first use. Instead of putting in a plug or something like that, is there a patching system to use to repair it from the inside? Are there self-vulcanizing patches available and would this be better than reaming the tiny hole and putting in a plug? Are there special kinds of patches or can I use a tube patch? __________________ Pain in the Butte Ranch Durango, Colorado - Calculated risk or forbidden fruit?

09-21-2009, 02:08 PM	#3
Jamie Z Beastly Adventurer Joined: Oct 2006 Location: almost Memphis Oddometer: 6,933	Jamie __________________ I'm the Tent Space Guy Sign up to host fellow travelers here. Budget Travel the Jamie Z Way

09-21-2009, 06:49 PM	#9
supertireguy Adventurer Joined: Nov 2005 Location: San Francisco, CA Oddometer: 93	Inside-Out Versus Outside-In Tire Repairs * TIRE REPAIRS - PLUG/PATCH * There are two types of puncture repairs for tires. Outside-In plugs (temporary) and Inside-Out plugs (permanent). The most common on the road tire fix is the outside-in repair. These repair kits typically include a specialized piece of sticky rope or a mini-mushroom type plug. This outside-in type of repair does not require removing the tire from the wheel and is applied from the outside of the tire. This type of repair is considered temporary, allowing the rider to limp the bike back home or to a service shop where a proper inside-out repair can be done or by having a new tire installed. Some riders report this repair lasts the life of the tire. You mileage may vary. The other method is the inside-out repair. This method is difficult to do on the side of the road. This preferred repair method requires removing the tire from the wheel, drilling out the hole to a more uniform size and installing the plug/patch from the inside of the tire. I use the Uni-Seal 250UL plugs for my customer tire repairs. This is the only 'approved' method for proper and permanent repairs of tire punctures. Tire Slime inflate-a-flat type products are an alternate method for temporary tire repairs. This approach is also a temporary fix. Some folks report this tire slime method lasts the life of the tire. Used long term these tire slime products can cause corrosion to alloy wheels. Please warn the tire technician if you have slime inside your tire before they begin work. Tire slime makes a mess when you remove the tire. All tire repairs affect the maximum speed rating of the tire. Repaired tires are not approved for speeds over 70mph. If you are running an inner tube type tire these plug repairs do not work. A new or patched/repaired inner tube is required. http://www.dunloptires.com/care/repair.html __________________ Motorcycle Tire Installation Services San Francisco - Bay Area http://www.mototireguy.com supertireguy screwed with this post 09-22-2009 at 11:07 AM

09-27-2009, 10:30 PM	#10
Fire Escape Beastly Adventurer Joined: Apr 2007 Location: Epsom, NH Oddometer: 1,124	Plug-Patch +1 on the Plug-Patch! Those shown look like a more modern version than the ones I got from JC Whitney back in the early 90s, have to look for some as I am almost out. I have been using them for 15+ years. They will work on tube or tubeless tires (yes, you have to repair or replace the tube as well as patch the tire for the tube-type. They have worked for me on a CBR 1000, a 3/4 ton truck and several vehicles in between. YMMV. Bruce __________________ No one calls the Fire Department because they did something smart! 06 DR 650, Moose RS Holder, Handguards and Skidplate, ProTaper bars, Garmin 60CSx, Motech racks w/ 20mm Ammo cans, Renazco, TKCs summer/17" SM wheels winter 08 Scrambler, Conti Trail Attacks and BlackTiger Fork mod, 05 FSE 450, 03 KLR 250, 02 FXDX, 72 WR 250 (again), 72 SL 350 K2 (again), 72 TR6R, 06 XT 225

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09-21-2009, 11:12 AM	#2
mctaggert Full Retard Joined: Sep 2007 Location: Just off the BRP Oddometer: 256	I patched the rear tire on a friend's old K75 using this "from the inside" technique. I used a patch kit from the auto parts store. It worked fine and lasted several thousand miles until the tread was toast. Before scuffing the patch area, I did clean the inside surface with some acetone or alcohol, I can't remember which. Someone had stuck a utility knife in the tire and a worm plug just would not work.

09-21-2009, 05:38 PM	#7
Lone Rider Registered User Joined: Jan 2002 Location: out and about Oddometer: 25,002	If it twas moi, I'd shoot some type of fix-a-flat in it. The inner patch Jamie showed, and that you bought, will fix it, and you get to play with your new tire toy. There are also larger patches made, and I used to carry one in case of a badly sliced tire.