Thunder Roads Magazine of Oklahoma/Arkansas July 2014 | Page 18

TECH TIPS

PATCHING, PLUGGING,
VULCANIZATION OR
NEW TIRE?

Motorcycle tires are like race car tires: built to
the least amount of weight. That’s why, if you get
a nail, screw, etc., it can be devastating to plug or
patch the tire.
When a tire is punctured it takes out some the
cords, which weakens the carcass. Take out too
many cords and it can explode, causing a blowout.
Then you are left in a position of holding the bike
up with one good tire and one exploded tire which
can cause you to wreck the bike.
Stress on the weakened carcass of the tire is
greatly affected by other things such as the amount
of weight the tire is carrying. Another is heat. Heat
is determined by speed, weight, air pressure and
the temperature of the road. Too much heat can
cause a weakened carcass to stress and explode.
The speed you are traveling adds to the stress on
the carcass also. It is suggested not to travel faster
than 75 mph on a patched or plugged tire. More
centrifugal force is asserted on the weakened
carcass the faster you go.
Patching a tire is done with the tire off the rim.
Even when done correctly, it can be worked off by
the flexing of the tire as you ride. Plugging a tire
should be done only to get you to a place where
you can get your tire repaired or replaced. When
you install a plug, it comes with a small round file
18

Thunder Roads Magazine of OK/AR

used to rough up the hole. This can and will take out
more cords weakening the carcass even further.
After plugging a tire you will eventually develop a
slow leak around the plug. Rarely does the plug
last to the end of tread life because of movement
around the plug when the tire is in use.
If you want to patch your tire and you’re willing
to take the risk, a vulcanized patch is the way to
go. If the hole is not too big (taking out too many
cords), weight is not too heavy (creating too much
heat and stress on carcass), air pressure is kept
up and you refrain from traveling fast (over 75mph)
it can be done successfully lasting to the end of
tread life.
Do not put Fix-A-Flat (slime) in a motorcycle tire
except as a last resort. It might work, but sometimes
it doesn’t. And it will eat holes in your wheel, take
off chrome, etc. It is very caustic to metal.
If you have a tube rim or tire and get a nail,
screw, etc., all you have to do is change tubes and
you should be good to go. But remember! ALL
cautions on repaired tires still apply.
Loose Cannon
Owner, Motorcycle Tire Store, OKC
405-634-8380