[TFlash]

I don't know how or when, but I somehow picked up a screwnail in the back tire on my Wee. What are my options? Can I plug it? Do I have to replace it? If so where is a good place for replacements in the southwestern Ontario area. Can I do better than Thomboys in Owen Sound? they want 250 plus labour for a new Bridgestone. Please help me. this is prime riding time and my bike is sitting in the garage.Thanks

 

[Scott E. Bonds]

If it is in the tread area it can be repaired. A plug is only a temporary roadside fix. The best repair is to dissmount the tire and do a plug/patch combo from the inside.

I would replace the tire if it was half worn or more.

 

[Rick123]

If it's not on the side wall I would installed a plug and then go to a tire shop and have them to install a patch from inside. Many places that you can do better then $250. That's for sure.

 

[CHIA]

If it's a good plug in the right place, it can be used for the life of the tire.

This will surely create a debate, as there typically are 2 distinct camps on this subject, but having plugged tires multiple times, and ridden them down to replacement time, I have NO issues....again, if done right.

The other option, if it makes you feel better, is to find a place that patches, from the inside, or uses plug/patches, like a mushroom.

Worst case, you buy a new tire.....the options are very simple really.

 

[meick]

I have had good luck with the sticky string plugs for simple nail/screw flats, no fuss no muss, repair right on the bike.

This is the one I used:
Nealey Tire Repair Kit

If I had plenty of spare cash and time I might have gotten a new tire to eliminate just another risk, but so far no problems.

 

[V-Tom]

I've plugged two different rear tires, plus plugged a rear tire on my Porsche Boxster. I drove about 20,000 km on that tire and had no issues. I just took my last plugged tire of my bike this past friday. I think the plug was in there for about 15,000 km and it looked great on the inside.

I use the string type stuff and carry it with me (along with a compressor that fits under my seat.) As long as it is in the tread area and not the sidewall you should be able to safely repair it and keep riding.

Tom

 

[PTRider]

My Nealy tire plug held for over a year. I recently found that tire slowly losing air, checked with soapy water, and found that air was leaking through the fibers of the plug. Pulled that one out, put in another, and I'm good until I replace that tire later this year due to thin tread.

 

[Heavy]

The big challenge will be for you to find a shop that will plug it. Most refuse.

Easy enough to pick up a plug tool and do it yourself. CTC, in Owen Sound, will have what you need.

 

[Rick123]

You can plug it yourself.

 

[Nova Scotia Strommer]

My last two rear tires (Shinko 705bias) ended up with plugs..The sticky string type. The first tire was plugged early on and I ended up wearing it out.The hole was in the centre of the tire and in the groove between the blocks.
The second tire was also holed early on and plugged with the same plug type.The hole was on the outside edge of the tread block.
That plug came out at 120kph on a left hand sweeper and my bike was fully loaded on tour.
NOT a good feeling.I plugged it again with 2 plugs and ass puckered it to a new tire the next day."Once bit,Twice shy". I will only use a plug to get me to a proper fix from now on.

I paid $260.00 for a Tourance installed and consider it the best money I spent that month.

 

[CHIA]

That plug came out at 120kph on a left hand sweeper and my bike was fully loaded on tour.
NOT a good feeling.I plugged it again with 2 plugs and ass puckered it to a new tire the next day."Once bit,Twice shy".

Ya, I hear ya, next time speed it up to 140, so the tire gets warm enough to melt the plug in place :mrgreen:

 

[pvwheeler]

I just plug them, I've had great luck.
I've been getting my tires (Battlewings) from Jake Wilson .com in the US.
All the duties and taxes are included in the price you pay at checkout.
Steve

 

[V-Tom]

...
I paid $260.00 for a Tourance installed and consider it the best money I spent that month.

In Canada, one of the best places to get tires is Pete's Superbike. You do have to setup an account to see prices (it's free to setup.) They are out of Montreal but ship across Canada. The tires usually arrive the next day or second day after I order. Prices aren't as good as the USA, but for Canada they are decent.

Tom

 

[perArdua]

I don't know how or when, but I somehow picked up a screwnail in the back tire on my Wee. What are my options? Can I plug it? Do I have to replace it?

I've put 2000 Kms on a rear tire with one of those mushroom-shaped patch-plugs. It'll be there still I'm sure when I replace the tire in another 2000 Kms.

In Ottawa, Goodtime Centre and the Suzuki dealer in Orleans both wanted to sell me a new tire. The Honda dealer on Hunt Club put the plug in. I brought in the wheel and tire. They removed the tire to fix the leak. Cost me $50 + tax. You should find someone in your neighbourhood.

I carry the "Stop & Go" tire plugger (now) for on-road fixes. Some people treat these as permanent fixes.

Er, you must be a country boy. I only hear the term "screwnail" up the Ottawa valley.

Marc

 

[tucsonstrom]

I don't know how or when, but I somehow picked up a screwnail in the back tire on my Wee. What are my options? Can I plug it? Do I have to replace it? If so where is a good place for replacements in the southwestern Ontario area. Can I do better than Thomboys in Owen Sound? they want 250 plus labour for a new Bridgestone. Please help me. this is prime riding time and my bike is sitting in the garage.Thanks

Flash,

What is your time, riding pleasure, peace of mind, or life worth? I know for me the cost of a new tire is insignificant. Just do it! :headbang:

Good luck!

........

 

[rcacs]

I just plug them, I've had great luck.
I've been getting my tires (Battlewings) from Jake Wilson .com in the US.
All the duties and taxes are included in the price you pay at checkout.
Steve

Sorry for hijacking the thread, but;

I get my tires from Rocky Mountain ATV/MC, which is part of Jake Wilson.

There is no duty on bike tires, so you might want to check that out if you are being dinged duty.


I am fortunate enough to live right by the US border, so have them shipped (free) to a mail depot just across the line. Rarely do the Customs dudes even bother charging me gst/pst when bringing them across.

cheers

 

[2tall]

Ya, I hear ya, next time speed it up to 140, so the tire gets warm enough to melt the plug in place :mrgreen:

I found that high speeds warm the tire enough to spit the plug out!

I've ridden many patched tires until worn out. It usually happens just after mounting a new tire. :thumbdown: I carry the stringy plugs for roadside repair, but have the tire dismounted and patched/plugged from the inside as soon as I can.

As many others have already said, if the hole is in the centre tread area, there should be no problem.

 

[TFlash]

Thanks for all the info guys, I have found a local shop just south of Owen Sound, he says he has a plug he can do from the outside that "makes a loop" inside the tire so it won't pull out. the price is right and the "screwnail" is in the hollow of the tread in the centre, so I figure its worth the risk and if I have any problems I'll move on to the inside the tire mushroom type. Thanks for all the help.

 

[kiwi_outdoors]

if you want to do a patch fro the inside it

Caution - if possible - do not plug it by any method that involves enlarging the hole with a rasp - as that rasped hole is larger the stem associated with an interior patch (some of which have a stem) - and if your local repair shop uses such patches (with stems) as you may preclude subsequent patching

I found this out the hard way

 

[Nova Scotia Strommer]

In Canada, one of the best places to get tires is Pete's Superbike. You do have to setup an account to see prices (it's free to setup.) They are out of Montreal but ship across Canada. The tires usually arrive the next day or second day after I order. Prices aren't as good as the USA, but for Canada they are decent.

Tom

V-Tom thanks for the info. I will check them out but there is also a place in Moncton NB (G. Bourque)that has very reasonable prices and ship although it is only 2.5hrs from me.
When I had the plugged tire replaced I was deep in Maine on a trip last May. After loosing the plug the first time I couldn't shake the uneasy feeling I had wondering if it might happen again,and if I would be as lucky as the first time, and the shop that changed the tire knew that.I don't know if the price I paid was inflated but at the time I just wanted the plugged tire off as I didn't have time to get it repaired properly.My peace of mind during the rest of the trip was worth the price of the new tire although I found after I returned home I could have got one at Bourgue's for less.You should check them out.

The tire I had replaced only had about 2500kms on it so I contacted BlackLab when I got home and he now has it.I am sure he will fix it properly and wear the hell out of it. :yesnod: