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Rear Tire Slow Leak

PostPosted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 8:20 pm
by jcabiles
I discovered a very small puncture on my rear tire. It is a very slow leak. I pumped up the tire and checked it the next morning and the tire was definitely flat. A close inspection of the tire revealed the puncture shown in the picture. It is small enough that a coat hanger wire will not penetrate the tire.

My question is what is the best option for repair?
1. An internal Patch. This would require removal of the rear wheel and taking it to a shop for repair and rebalancing.
2. Plug the tire. However in order to get a plug inserted, I would need to drill a larger hole to allow the plug to be inserted. I have plugged car tires before, including drilling a hole to get the plug to fit, and the repairs have held up well.
The tire has about 25% life left

So what are your thoughts, and pros/cons.

Re: Rear Tire Slow Leak

PostPosted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 9:15 pm
by ERC Scott
If it were me, I'd replace the tire. But, I'm one of those "safety guys".

Scott

Re: Rear Tire Slow Leak

PostPosted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 9:19 pm
by Chiba
I have to agree with Scott - at 25%, I'd probably just replace it. If I was going to eke the max out of it though, I prefer those mushroom-type plugs. I think you would have to drill it, though.

Re: Rear Tire Slow Leak

PostPosted: Wed Jan 15, 2014 1:00 am
by bdimon
I would take the tire off and patch it from the inside. Well, I would have a mechanic do it because I hate wrestling rubber rings. As I recall, some tire makers are officially okay with internal patches but none of them approve of external plugs.

I don't like the external plugs because too many of them did not seal completely. I have used them on long trips when I was in the middle of nowhere but prefer to pump up the tire and ride to a mechanic. I have a patch in my tire right now but don't worry about it. Oh, I have to keep the speeds under 85 MPH or something like that but I ride slowly anyway.

Re: Rear Tire Slow Leak

PostPosted: Wed Jan 15, 2014 12:02 pm
by jcabiles
Thanks all for your thoughts. I was anticipating replacing the tires sometime this Summer. Looks like I'll be ahead of schedule. In the mean time, I'll plug the tire. I've done it before and they hold up well. I'm not a speed demon and I don't plan on any long trips till the new tire comes in, so it should not be a safety issue.

In the mean time I'll research the forums for any info on tires. If not, I'll open a new thread. Probably go with a mid priced tire. Leaning towards the Michelin PR 3.

Re: Rear Tire Slow Leak

PostPosted: Thu Jan 16, 2014 10:00 pm
by Wild Pig
I picked up a nail in a PR3 that had about 4k on it (the tire, not the nail). Just couldn't bring my cheap self to chuck it. Thought of doing the internal patch but just never got around to it. Plug is still in 5k later and holding, even after our extended trip to Asheville for the RA rally.

If the tire would have been older, I think I would have replaced it though.

Re: Rear Tire Slow Leak

PostPosted: Sat Jan 18, 2014 9:45 am
by gunnert
For at least 10 years the tire companies have been saying it wasn't safe to plug a tire. I've seen where a plugged tire has continued to slowly leak air, but, I've yet to read where there was catastrophic tire air loss from a plugged tire...Plug it, check it, if it still leaks, replace it, otherwise...

Re: Rear Tire Slow Leak

PostPosted: Sat Jan 18, 2014 11:55 pm
by henwin
jcabiles wrote:Thanks all for your thoughts. I was anticipating replacing the tires sometime this Summer. Looks like I'll be ahead of schedule. In the mean time, I'll plug the tire. I've done it before and they hold up well. I'm not a speed demon and I don't plan on any long trips till the new tire comes in, so it should not be a safety issue. In the mean time I'll research the forums for any info on tires. If not, I'll open a new thread. Probably go with a mid priced tire. Leaning towards the Michelin PR 3.

I think you'll find that there are 2 schools of thought, which have been covered here (replace or repair). Dealers insist on replacing, probably because of the liability issues, though it seems to me that if you choose to have them patch it from the inside and sign a release, that should be good enough for everyone but the lawyers. :lol: :roll: :x :(

I can say that the PR3 is a fantastic tire and unless you go roadracing on it, it should serve well. I've got them on my RT and this is my 2nd set. Considering how fast tire tech seems to advance these days, for me to have put the same tires on as the previous set, IMO, says something positive about the tires.

Re: Rear Tire Slow Leak

PostPosted: Sun Jan 19, 2014 1:01 pm
by jcabiles
henwin wrote:
jcabiles wrote:I can say that the PR3 is a fantastic tire and unless you go roadracing on it, it should serve well. I've got them on my RT and this is my 2nd set. Considering how fast tire tech seems to advance these days, for me to have put the same tires on as the previous set, IMO, says something positive about the tires.

Looking at getting the PR 3's. Are there any other sources other than Motorcycle Super Store and Revzilla? Revzilla does not list my tire size on their site.

Re: Rear Tire Slow Leak

PostPosted: Sun Jan 19, 2014 3:39 pm
by bdimon
jcabiles wrote:Looking at getting the PR 3's. Are there any other sources other than Motorcycle Super Store and Revzilla? Revzilla does not list my tire size on their site.

Both Morton's in Fredericksburg and Beemer Uber Alles in Manassas seem to have the same cost as the Internet places especially if you factor in the cost of mounting and balancing. Many shops charge a premium for mounting tires bought elsewhere. While I like to work on my own bike, tires are just too much of a pain for me to attempt again.