Nails and the law of averages

[Flynrider]

(11-18-2013 09:26 AM)Inline4 Wrote:  Damn! 2600 miles, 2 nails and have to now buy a new tire. I wonder how much more I'm gonna have to "pay" for my good luck through the years.

You must be riding near a construction site. Nails end up everywhere on those sites and eventually migrate out to the street.

I've had a pretty good run of luck with flats on bikes. The last one I remember was back around 1980. I've had several nails in my tires since then, but none of them caused the tire to go flat and I didn't mess with them until I fixed the tire.

Whenever a do a long distance ride, I carry a small plug kit and pump. Haven't ever needed to use it, but it makes me feel better to have it along.

[Lord Popgun]

I got my first nail at about 300 miles. Rear tire. Plugged it and rode.

And I know--1. Its fine, ride it!
or 2. Its so dangerous the .gov may have to institute universal health care--oh wait. Nevermind.

[Inline4]

Well it looks like plugging the tire is the way to go. This rear Dunlop seems to be pretty much unavailable. I called my dealer and told him my situation. After checking various sources, he called me back to say it's only available from Honda...........for $200!!!!!!!!!!!
I told him to wait on ordering it, that I'm going to mull over just buying another set/brand that is more readily available.
Good grief! $200 for a skinny old bike tire! Ridiculous!

[The ferret]

Remember the thread I posted about the Bridgestones being available in December at a good price? Call Ray @ Sportour and see if he can help, and tell him I said to call (Mickey Lotz). That's what I am going with next time.

http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread....=Sporttour

http://www.sporttour.com/

[Inline4]

I saw the thread, and thanks for re-posting it Mickey.
I'm in a quandary over this. 2600 miles and I'm about to buy TWO new tires for this bike.
For now, my plan is to buy a set of Pirelli Sport Demons and hopefully sell my oem front tire on the forum for a song.
Most of my riding is two-up and just wouldn't feel completely comfortable with a plugged tire.
Now if I could just afford those 17-inch spoked wheels!

[Florent]

Mushroom rubber plugs vs. Repair Strings (worms), which is better?
Speed limits, urgency of workshop repair or tire replacement, etc.?
Thanks for answer.

[The ferret]

Well, I have plugged a lot of tires with gummy worms and ridden many thousands of miles on plugged tires. They have been around since tubeless tires came out for automobiles. I have never tried the mushroom plugs. Maybe someone else on the forum has and can comment on those. You cannot plug a sidewall puncture or one larger than 1/4" hole, or a sliced tire. It must be like a nail or screw puncture in the thread in order to be repaired. The absolute best safest repair of course is tire replacement.

I carry this small tire repair kit with me, either in my tank bag or tail pack, whenever I am going out for a ride. Small air compressor that plugs into my battery tender plug, or clips on the battery ( I have both ends), pack of gummy worms, air gauge, shop towel, reamer and plug insert tool.

[Gingersdaddy]

I have used the gummy worm plugs with great results. I had a mushroom plug kit and they never lasted very long before they started to leak. I have not had to plug a motorcycle tire yet, so this experience is with automobile tires. I put a new set of Michelins on my truck, a month later picked up a nail. I put a worm plug in and 2 years later I'm still running them. The kit Ferret has is great, I'm going to make me up a kit.

[The ferret]

The air compressor is a $12 12v Campbell- Hausfeld unit from Walmart with the large plastic case removed. Dont need the case. I have also seen similar units at Harbor Freight

Similar to this

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008YYMRQY/ref=...B008YYMRQY

[Doc]

I must have been very lucky so far too - since my first bike in 1978 (CB250N), I've never had a flat - but then again I don't ride over nails...