Yet another 'can I fix a puncture?' thread.

[cbay]

Currently I'm not a happy bunny as I'm sure you can guess, lol.

Is it safe to plug a back tyre with one of those plug kits or is it better to buy a new tyre?

[phi-dan]

If it's in the treads, you should be able to get it properly plugged / patched so long as the carcass is intact etc.
String / plugs / can-o-foam etc as a temporary fix to get you home or to the garage.

[Nobbylad]

What tyre is it? Don't Avon replace punctured tyres under warranty if there's a certain amount of tread left?

[fizzwheel]

Is it safe to plug a back tyre with one of those plug kits or is it better to buy a new tyre?

The plugs kits you can buy from Hein Gerricke and the like are only meant as temporary repairs.

It would be better to take the wheel to a motorcycle tyre place and get it repaired properly with a mushroom style plug. But... some places wont plug a motorcycle tyre, it will also depend where the whole is. In the middle of the tread is more than likely OK, on the edges or the sidewall, probably not and its new tyre tiime. Dont muck about with it, take it somewhere and get it checked properly.

We had a plug put in the Z6 on Liz's SV a while ago, cost £25, cheaper than a new tyre !

[Stephen McG]

Although the plug kits are advertised as a 'get you home' solution.
They are more than that.
I got a puncture just before a holiday a couple of years ago.
I did not use kit but had a couple of blow-up garage stops to get home.
I fitted plug in my own garage, left it for a week.
When I got back, tyre was OK
I used it for a month, took cold feet and got a new tyre.
when tyre was off, I realised that it would have lasted a bit longer as the bit you push through from outside had swelled up and made a very strong seal.

I always carry one.
My last bike Transalp 700 had tubed tyres.
I got screw in front, the sealant in tyre did not work and I was stranded but could have been worse,
the tyre went down just as I left fast d/c/way and had slowed right down for roundabout.
I never did like tubed tyres after that and this was main reason I changed bike.

SMcG in sunny Glasgow

[Dave20046]

What tyre is it? Don't Avon replace punctured tyres under warranty if there's a certain amount of tread left?

That's really good to know - didn't know that, cheers nobby lad


Cbay- on a rideout last year manxmatt got a puncture on a newish tyre we took it to a local shop and they plugged it from the inside for about £15 - as far as I'm aware it was a permanent repair that saw the tyre through the rest of its life.

[Nobbylad]

That's really good to know - didn't know that, cheers nobby lad

I'm not 100% sure on it, but think that as long as you haven't worn off more than 1mm, they'll replace it.

EDIT: just Googlefu'd this http://londonbikers.com/news/3039/puncture-in-a-storm-avon-tyres-wont-leave-you-flat

[cbay]

Well they replace it if you have used less than 1mm, but think I might of used that, :-(

Plus it turns out, someone might tell me different but 2 garages have said they can't do it as it is illegal to repair a ZR Tyre and would fail an MOT or something...

[Bear]

Essential Rubber will probably plug it for you, they're in Islington. Downham Road. Google it if it's any good to you!

[Stu]

I always trust the sticky string type from Crafty Plugger - I do it myself & don't have to worry about whether I'll agree to do it for myself or not :smt102. But that's just me, Oh & I think I remember Northwind mention that the sticky string was not actually made from Dynamite ;)