Tyre patching training

[Ruffus]

Dear colleagues,

since I had a worn out tire on my bench, I thought it a useful idea to fix a flat tire under workshop conditions. (pls see pics)
I know there are different systems available.

Two holes were punched by me into this carcasse.
Not to waste my REAL tyre-plugs I took a white and a black piece of 4mm packing cord instead.
But a little bit of glue on it for better and smoother gliding, and here we go...
The original seal thread is appr. 8cm long with a diameter of 4mm.
With that sealing kit comes a tube of rubber cement, which is to put on the seal cord wich consists of rubber strings, like inside a bungy-cord.

Pics show how to fix easily a punched tyre. It forms kind of mushroom inside the tyre.
So no way to lose it again.
Last step is to cut the ends outside at a lenght of about 5mm.
This wears off after some kilometers/miles of riding.

[Iahawk]

good pictures, as usual! Smart to practice plugging a tire at home before you actually need to do one on the road, somewhere.

[john grinsel]

From true safety standpoint---not a good idea to repair damaged motorcycle/scooter tires (tubeless)...  However little damage to tire, "boot", big patch from in- side way to go.   Plug for me used as get home repair.   I have used over 400 tires since 1955, repaired a few.  After repair re-balancing of tire/wheel assembly might be necessary.  Most shops cannot/do not balance scooter wheels.   I use "Ride On" and it works well for me.

[Neil955i]

Have successfully used this method of repair on several occasions during my working days when I commuted by Motorcycle. By about the 4th time I was down to less than 20 mins from stopping to being back on the road!  Always carry a kit now.

[Ruffus]

Thanks all,
yes, there will be always a certain percentage of risk in a repaired tyre, no matter what system used, no doubt.
A new tyre, mounted by a professional with some common sense, would be the best choice, if you can afford it.
 My recent experience with shops and so called "skilled mechanics" have a little bit shadowed my trust in them.
For me, I speak only for me, there is no more reliable "mechanic" available than I am. I know exactely what I when and how did. Because I'm fond of documenting most of steps I do in such cases.
No workshop, and I as a customer, could afford to fool around three hours (10 min coffee break) until a by me balanced wheel is turning at "zero", for example. Consists of balancing, air out, turning the tyre on the rim until the lightest point is found, rebalancing......

[CROSSBOLT]

Good post and pictures! Need to make a book of posts like these!

[Stig / Major Tom]

Here's a 10 cent tire tip:

If it takes a little more effort to roll your scooter out of the garage some dark morning --- - NO, that's not the rear brake dragging, or really cold gear oil - affecting the rolling resistance!

You have a flat tire!

You're welcome.
Stig

[monkeybongos]

Fully understand thinking it's foolish, but I've ridden a couple thousand miles on a tire punctured by a screw that caused a very slow leak.  Had no problems and wouldn't hesitate to plug a flat.

Ride-On has made balancing a non-issue, along w protection against flats.  Big fan of it.

[mousejunks]

Now I remember, I had a rear tyre puncture without noticing. Made it home, found a screw and the tyre pressure was only 5 psi.

[Neil955i]

Fully understand thinking it's foolish, but I've ridden a couple thousand miles on a tire punctured by a screw that caused a very slow leak.  Had no problems and wouldn't hesitate to plug a flat.

Ride-On has made balancing a non-issue, along w protection against flats.  Big fan of it.

Yep, I’ve ridden hundreds of miles - at speed to make a ferry crossing - with a self plugged rear.  Not advisable, but they do work!

[JJJoseph]

Ride-On has made balancing a non-issue,

What is "Ride-On"?