Plug or replace tire(s)

[alwrmcusn]

I have a 2009 RSV Hannigan trike. For over a month I have noticed that my right rear has a very slow leak. Over a week or so it loses about 4-6PSI. I could not find the problem/source. Yesterday my dealer mechanic found it. A small (probably) nail.
The tires have at least 50 percent or more tread, probably closer to 75 percent, left on them. I'd like to plug the tire and continue on. Any input?

 

[rhino 2]

I Have and sill will go about it one of two ways... One ''IF'' its a very small leak i''ll use green slime from the gallon pump bottle, Not the aerosol can.. Never had a problem that way... Two.. I will use a mushroom type plug in conjunction with the green slime.. Just don't use a plug too much larger than the hole.. You don't want to make the hole any larger than you have it...The last flat i had on a bike was on a VTX 1800 I Had... The tire had only 6 hundred miles on it at the time... Plug+ Green slime and never leaked in 6/7 thousand mies When i sold the bike....

 

[Sidecarbill]

If I wasn't run flat and the leak is in the tread area I'd plug it and run it. Plug car tires all the time no problems.

 

[Sully]

Being that it's a Rear tire, I would plug it. If it was a Front tire I would think real hard on that one.

 

[tfdeputydawg]

I would remove the tire, patch it on the inside.
I strongly advise against Slime:AGGHH:
I have used http://www.ride-on.com/ for years.
Make sure you follow the instructions when dispensing into the tires.
Do not use in Gold Wings w/OEM TPMS as Honda does not "shield" their sensors.

 

[alwrmcusn]

Thanks for the inputs. Overwhelming replies say a plug is where I'll start. If that should eventually fail then I'll fall back, regroup, break down and buy new tires!

 

[FuzzyWuzHe]

Being that it's a Rear tire, I would plug it. If it was a Front tire I would think real hard on that one.

+1

 

[BillR]

I would remove the tire, patch it on the inside.

:Agree: A patch glued on the inside behind the hole. They are about the size of a fifty cent piece (remember those !).

I've plugged a few car tires, but I would go the extra mile for safety on a trike.

Just my .02

 

[peteg59]

As others have already suggested, a patch applied over the nail hole from the inside of your tire is the best long term solution, short of tire replacement.
I wouldn't chance a plug failure on a long trip as it could potentially ruin an otherwise good day of riding...

 

[CrystalPistol]

If you are gonna remove the tire to patch, use a "patch plug" ..... not just a patch. You can usually do it breaking just the one side over, clean / scuff the inside, ream hole, add small dab of vulcanizing glue, insert tip from inside towards outside, grab with pliars and pull. Trim, remount, inflate, go.


Being a car tire and extremely under stressed at pressures and loads on a trike, a simple twisted brown goooooey plug inserted after reaming the hole from outside, twist 180 degrees, withdraw tool .... will likely last for the useful life of the tire.

 

[hogcowboy]

This is the better of the two options, though. That plug is generally rated for higher speeds if you like getting the adrenaline going.

 

[alwrmcusn]

Plugged the tire but in doing so I believe we damaged/enlarged the original "hole". It continued to have a leak, only slower. Hannah and I replaced the tires yesterday. I also moved<br />
the top trunk back to the rear position. Hopefully the rain will stop today and we might be able to get in a short "hows it feel" ride.