Tire repair kit, how use(full/less) is it really ?

[Kazushi]

Hi all,
While out on a weekend getaway with friends (my R, a brand new GS, a Suzuki V-Strom & Aprilia Pegaso) the V-Strom managed to collect a 5 cm long 4 mm thick wood screw someplace...

The screw was noticed while gassing up before starting a mountain climb targetting to reach a 2.000 meter point with a panoramic view of a lake.
The tire did not leak but being Sunday and this being the last source of compressed air in the greater area, we desided to deal with puncture by using my BMW tire repair kit. We removed the screw and tried to insert the "8" shaped plug as per the instructions... but the plug would simply refuse to insert and break !!!

Having used up two plugs and all the glue that was part of the repair kit, we started to look for alternative solutions...
We were lucky the owner of the gas station had a similar kit but the plug was actually a black sticky string like rubber material, which was inserted with a similar tool into the puncture, and was given a good twist as the tool was being removed.

So what exectly was the case with the BMW plug ? I'm sure it's not suposed to just break, but I have here two plugs that did just that !
Do these plugs expire somehow ? do they need to be replaced every so often to keep them "fresh" ? My plugs were the original plugs that came with the R (3 years old)

Since I'll need to replace the used up kit, what should I do, stick to the BMW kit and hope that next time the plugs don't break, or get the kit with the string plugs instead ?

[R4R&R]

I've successfully used the BMW plug kit a couple times in the past, but the plugs aren't the easiest things to use. I think the best is the gooey 'rope' strips, which can be used with the rest of the kit.

[DJ Downunder]

Here's what I carry.

Leatherman thingie...screws...air and oil.

DJ

[Kazushi]

Hey DJ Downunder...
The screws I suppose are used as plugs, the leatherman thingie is used for pulling and screwing, what's the oil used for ??

Here's what I carry.

Leatherman thingie...screws...air and oil.

DJ

[DJ Downunder]

Kazushi..you got it...it's always good to carry a little oil...it's maybe only needed for a long'sh trip.

It's so easy to put a screw in a hole once the nail has been pulled..about 5 minutes and you're on your way..and no messy glue or plugs.

Note the larger CO2 cylinder..about three times bigger than the normal ones..it's from a boat shop.

DJ

[single650]

Did the flag shrink in the wash DJ

How far do you reckon to get with a screw plugged in? Sounds a bit dodgy to me.

I have had mixed success with the BMW kit, the last time I wrote the tyre off trying to repair it Does putting a screw in the tyre ruin it?

[DJ Downunder]

Did the flag shrink in the wash DJ

How far do you reckon to get with a screw plugged in? Sounds a bit dodgy to me.

Yes..washing my flag in hot water will do it every time..

Using a screw dodgy?..maybe...does it work?..yes..

One of the guys in our BMW club gave it a good test after many others said it works.

He rode around all day with screws in his tire..and it lost very little air..it's only meant to get you home or to a tire shop..then do a professional fix or replacement.

Putting a screw in the hole will not ruin the tire..when they do a professional fix they open up the hole and glue in a mushroom plug from the inside.

DJ

[Kazushi]

Check out the size of this baby... Lots of oil required here

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/sv1ens/de ... pg&.src=ph


How many of the small cylinders does it take to fill up the tire ?

Kazushi..you got it...it's always good to carry a little oil...it's maybe only needed for a long'sh trip.

It's so easy to put a screw in a hole once the nail has been pulled..about 5 minutes and you're on your way..and no messy glue or plugs.

Note the larger CO2 cylinder..about three times bigger than the normal ones..it's from a boat shop.

DJ

[Dr. Strangelove]

hi DJ

what is the size of the screw? as in most things "screw related," thicker is probably better than narrow, right? is that a machine or wood screw? It's a crazy novel idea, but apparently it works?

do you coat the screw with anything to make it stick/seal better? And I suppose riding on itprevents it from coming out?

Would such a repair last to the end of the day, riding moderately, or are you in "limp home" mode right away?

Thanks for the tip! this would really be a time/hassle saver.

John

[Boxer]

How appropriate for this thread to come up.

I took off for a ride this morning and neglected to perform my usually routine check of tire pressure. I rode about 100 yards and noticed how funny the bike handled! Stopped…Got off…Checked the rear pressure. 11.5 POUNDS!!! YIKES!
I rode her slowly back up the hill to my garage and put it on the side stand. I’m thinking it’s about time I had a flat after three plus years of riding. I scanned the tire for nails or screws but didn’t see any. Then I went back over it more carefully and found these two little baby holes.
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j202/ ... oholes.jpg

I must have ran over something nasty on Friday ‘cause it leaked down from 40 to 11.5 lbs. in two and a half days. Not exactly a slow leak but also not a BIG gaping puncture wound. No tire shops open today…Monday…so I decide to try my trusty Stop-N-Go kit to see if it really works. What have I got to lose?
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j202/ ... thekit.jpg

The first thing you do is insert a small mushroom shaped plug into the end of the Gun using the end of the nozzle to push it down in there straight. It must be straight!

Then you ream out the hole bigger with the probe tool and by screwing the probe tool onto the big end of the nozzle you insert the small end of the nozzle into the hole in the tire.
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j202/ ... zzlein.jpg

This required some strength and finally a hammer was called upon for duty.
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j202/ ... rprobe.jpg

You then unscrew the probe tool from the nozzle, leaving the nozzle in the tire.
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j202/ ... zzlein.jpg

Now go back to the gun with the little mushroom plug sitting there ready for action. Put one drop of oil on the head of the mushroom…
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j202/ ... pofoil.jpg
…and screw the gun onto the nozzle, which is protruding from the tire. Give the gun several pulls on the trigger, and release the drive mechanism to pull the trigger some more. Release, pull. Release, pull.
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j202/ ... nozzle.jpg

Do this about four times and then pull the nozzle out slowly. You will see the end of the mushroom plug extending from the tire and hopefully you got it shot far enough into the tire. You will know for sure in the next step.
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j202/ ... plugin.jpg

The next step is to grab the end of the plug with some pliers and pull on it stretching it to about 1 to 2 inches. You’ll feel it seat.
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j202/ ... llplug.jpg

Trim off the end with the little knife in the kit…
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j202/ ... iceoff.jpg

…and Bob’s your uncle!
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j202/ ... nished.jpg

That wetness around the plug is the oil I applied to the inside of the nozzle, which spilled out when the plug separated from the nozzle. I just wiped it off after the job.

I had to do two holes, and since the first hole on the left was my first experience at using this, I didn’t pull the plug far enough to seat it properly. I added 40 lbs. of air and that first plug was blowing like crazy! I had to start over with the reaming, etc. but after that second try on the first hole, it plugged fine. I put 41 lbs. of air pressure in the tire and so far it isn’t leaking. I will let it set overnight and see if it still has 41 lbs. in the morning.

My final report on the effectiveness of this plug will come after I ride to work tomorrow.
Wish me luck!

[ArtieMS]

This is a good thread and the 'tutorial' with photos by Boxer are great.

I have ordered the Stop-N-Go kit but haven't got it yet.

also I have the Power Sport tire Inflator, by 'Slime',

http://www.cyclegear.com/lpgm.cfm?L1=12 ... =SLI_40001

Another thread if the above doesn't work: http://www.slime.com.

So, with both the Stop-N-Go kit, and the Slime compressor I should be set.

Now about that hammer.........

[popgazer]

but the plug would simply refuse to insert and break !!!

Same thing happened here a couple of weeks ago.
I plugged a hole about a year ago with no difficulty whatsoever, but this time the plugs kept breaking. I guess the rubber gets stiff over time.

[Airman]

This might be a good place to put in a plug, =) for the little portable air compressors. I have the CyclePump, but there are many types and prices. A lot of guys seem to have the Sparrow pumps with the built in gage. Only about $20, and better then running out of C02, eh? Some guys gut the cheap Campbell Hausfield pumps and build very compact systems. I think one of those would fit in the palm of your hand. Mine's a little bigger then that because of the housing, but still quite small. I think the cylinder compressors are not for me as they seem bulky and you have to run the engine to use them. Better just to plug into the accessory outlet. When I was changing my rear tire, I aired it up twice from dead empty with no effect on the battery. Takes about 10 minutes to go to 40 psi. I expect these are a standard tool for dual sport guys who routinely air down to go off road and then back up for pavement.

[Sunbeemer]

Ive heard people swear by the Stop 'n Go Tire Plugger, so I bought the "Mini" (it uses a screw-in plunger instead of the trigger insertion tool and is smaller to carry around) after getting nailed and installed the plug per the instructions. It lasted ~400 miles before starting to leak, so I put in another one (I just pushed the old one through) and it was working fine until I got screwed a week later. While the nail was in the middle of a tire rib, the screw was ~ 1/8" from a tire groove (sipe) and the plug bulged toward that weaker side. After putting three plugs in to get the leak stopped, it only lasted a couple of days before it started leaking again. This was in a Metzler (steel-belted radial) Z4 and what I think was happening was the plug wasn't well supported on the sipe side, so it kept wobbling toward it with every rotation of the tire and caused the steel belt to cut it. I don't know if a non-steel belted tire would do the same, but I plan to only use them for temporary repairs in the future. I took the tire to a shop for the glued in mushroom plugs that worked until I retired the tire after another 2k miles.
From this I learned that just when you think you've got it nailed, you get screwed!

[Sunbeemer]

Oh, and BTW, I carry a fold-up mountain bike pump cable tied to my left system case bracket that works ok, and will give you a pretty good upper-body workout to get 40psi (it goes to 80 if you're young enough!)

[DJ Downunder]

The Dr asked

hi DJ

what is the size of the screw? as in most things "screw related," thicker is probably better than narrow, right? is that a machine or wood screw? It's a crazy novel idea, but apparently it works?

do you coat the screw with anything to make it stick/seal better? And I suppose riding on itprevents it from coming out?

Would such a repair last to the end of the day, riding moderately, or are you in "limp home" mode right away?

Thanks for the tip! this would really be a time/hassle saver.

John

Here's the screws I have..they're about 1/2" long..counter sunk..s/s..I bought them at a boating shop.



There's no need for glue..just screw it in the hole flush with the surface..once you've found the hole..or pulled out the nail.

I put this screw in a scrap piece of tire for these pics



You will end up with some thread sticking through on the inside..that's no problem.



I would only use this to limp home..or to a dealer..although..I think it should last a long time..maybe just leak a little air after a few hours.

Modern tires have a very strong s/s wire threads running though them..I've got a nail in my 4x4 tire right now..it's been there for months..

I just top up the air every couple of weeks..I should put it in soon and get it fixed..

also..Kazuski asked

How many of the small cylinders does it take to fill up the tire ?

About 3 normal size cylinders to fill a tire...the larger one in my pic is about three times bigger..so only 1 would be needed..I got it at a boating shop also.

DJ