Tire plugging on a trike?

Wing'n It · Nov 11, 2019

What is the thought on plugging a tire on a trike, specifically the front? I went to ride my new trike this weekend and found it sitting on a flat front tire. Checking the tire I found an aluminum nail right dead in the center of it. On a two wheeler I would only plug it to get home or to buy a new tire but what about on a trike?? I hate to toss it since it has less than 1500 miles on it.

rhino 2 · Nov 11, 2019

Wing'n It said:
What is the thought on plugging a tire on a trike, specifically the front? I went to ride my new trike this weekend and found it sitting on a flat front tire. Checking the tire I found an aluminum nail right dead in the center of it. On a two wheeler I would only plug it to get home or to buy a new tire but what about on a trike?? I hate to toss it since it has less than 1500 miles on it.

This is what i did on a two wheeler rear tire [VTX 1800]...Carefully plugged it then put sealer in the tire.....Rode 6 or 7 thousand miles on that tire before i traded the bike in without a problem ..... I wouldn't have second thoughts on a Trike...But thats just me.....

Jack Klarich · Nov 11, 2019

You may get a lot of answers to this. I equate this to an oil thread.

The truth is a plug not installed correctly is a ticking time bomb to any tire ( can cause shifting belts, dry rot and allow loss of pressure)

All repairs should be done on the inside of the tire ONLY after the injury is fully cleaned and prepared. It will be IMO hard to find any shop to repair a motorcycle tire because of safety and liability. I have plugged my own tires only to get home. I NEVER would trust just a plug repair for a long term fix. JMO

PosseRider · Nov 11, 2019

https://www.stopngo.com/ we used this on a tire years ago , rode it over 1000 miles. It was due to be changed anyway . We checked the tire when removed & plug had not moved due to the "mushroom" shape of plug . Air pressure holds it where installed.

FuzzyWuzHe · Nov 12, 2019

I've seen the stop & go in action, one of my Buddy's used it on his Road Glide's rear tire. As an emergency repair it's fine. For peace of mind, I'd replace the tire. JMHO.

PosseRider · Nov 12, 2019

PosseRider said:
https://www.stopngo.com/ we used this on a tire years ago , rode it over 1000 miles. It was due to be changed anyway . We checked the tire when removed & plug had not moved due to the "mushroom" shape of plug . Air pressure holds it where installed.

I still carry the kit & won't hesitate to plug & ride.

MikeyTX · Nov 12, 2019

rhino 2 · Nov 12, 2019

MikeyTX said:

Thats the kit i used.......And never had a leak, Or a plug coming out...

Again just my results ...Someone else's may differ......

MikeyTX · Nov 12, 2019

'Morning Bob. Yup, I never leave home w/o it. Even around here. It's in the daub kit I carry in a saddlebag.

rhino 2 · Nov 12, 2019

MikeyTX said:
'Morning Bob. Yup, I never leave home w/o it. Even around here. It's in the daub kit I carry in a saddlebag.

Like i said before........I Back it up with sealer......

MikeyTX · Nov 12, 2019

Carry a small tube of it too. That little kit has saved my a** on more than one occasion. Made some true believers amongst a group of Banditos one year on the way to Sturgis.

stacebg · Nov 12, 2019

to each his own... i have used standard car tire plugs, push in from the outside type... one my 2 wheelers.... not like it will cause any damage to the tire and cause a blowout.... worst case it might end up being a slow leak.... which is where u started..... personally i have NEVER seen a plug fail ... probably could happen

that said i would not think twice about doing it on a trike

again that just me...

stace

Wing'n It · Nov 12, 2019

Thanks for the replies, I plugged it because I did not want it setting in the garage all winter flat. Have checked it several times and no loss of air,.. so far. New tire is only $170 and it's a trike specific tire so may order it and keep it back, ride on the plugged one till my first long ride in July then change it out before trip. Would not trust it on a two wheeler for very far but a trike has more safety with it.

CrystalPistol · Feb 25, 2020

I use the "push in from outside" plugs on car tires, no issues except when I used the black twisted ones, they just don't hold up well. The brown ones … I'm batting 100 with.

If I picked up a nail in my Trike's Avon Cobra Trike Radial, I'd put one in to get home ... but then I'd pull the wheel, take the tire off, find the hole inside, roughen the tire a little, use a "patch / plug" that has a stem, umbrella head, metal tip you stick through the hole from the inside ... and grab with pliars on the outside ... and pull into place. I would use a little vulcanizing glue on the stem & under umbrella head first, heat with a heat gun, trim excess on outside.

They work!.

Below is an example, some already have glue on them.

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p...re&gclid=CI-2zt-77ucCFUPAswodHyAA9Q&gclsrc=ds