Repairing a flat

Okay guys, so I searched through the forums and got a general answer to this question, but I thought it was't a bad idea to get some opinions specific to my exact circumstances.

While out riding today I picked up (or ran over) something that took a small bite out of my rear tire. I suspect the damage happened about 3 miles from home (on my way home) because as I got closer I noticed that the bike didn't feel right, the back end seemed really spongy and sluggish and I really did not want to lean her too much because it felt like she wouldn't hold.

I inspected the tire very thoroughly with the bike up on the center stand and discovered a 3/8" long and about 1mm wide cut in the tire. I did the soapy water test and poured some soapy water on the tire to confirm if it was leaking from this cut, and at first it seemed like it was not. I was able to fill the crack with soapy water, but it took it a good minute and a half before it produced ONE small bubble. Basically, the water nearly drained itself out before the tire could squeeze enough air out of itself to produce a bubble.

I checked the pressure immediately after I got home and noticed the problem and measured it at 25psi. A week ago I had checked the tires and measured both at 32psi. Another quick note, the tires (both front and rear) are one year and two months old and have approximately 2500-3000 miles on them thus far. It should also be noted that the cut in the tire is less than 1/2 inch off of the center line of the tire, in the thicker part of the tread.

I very much value my safety and my life but at the same time I would REALLY like to not have to purchase a new tire so soon and with so few miles on this one. I have also heard it is a good idea to replace the front and rear tires at the same time, something I was hoping to do down the road maybe in a year or two.

So my question is with the tire in the condition it is how risky is it to take it somewhere and have it repaired professionally?

Is it the kind of thing that I can do and continue to ride it under normal riding and conditions (only about 20% highway riding or highway speeds, generally good weather and road conditions, etc)? It should also be noted that I don't ever really take the bike above 85. I'm in WAY too populated of an area with too many opportunities for disaster at higher speeds without throwing a damaged or patched tire in the mix.

 

Junk it, buy a new tire and lick your wallet's wounds. You don't have to replace both tires at the same time unless they are both worn out and/or ruined at the same time. I usually buy an new rear tire every other year and the front one every third year or so I usually don't buy two at once.

I DON"T repair a hole or tear or whatever......I replace the tire. Period. I picked up a nail in one with less than 100 mi on it. Got a new one. Rather ruin a good tire than ruin a good life.

Others may feel differently................remind me not to ride their bike.

Dave F

 

Thanks for your input Dave, I was thinking the same thing. My wallet shall suffer but my life shall not.

In a car a flat is no big deal. I don't carry a spare, I'll patch it and re-inflate it on the side of the road. The bike is completely different though, I would definitely not feel comfortable riding her 'to her full potential' with a patched tire.

On the bright side I took this opportunity to pull the body panels, drum cover, and final drive so I could finally paint the gold accent on each of those parts.

 

In a bind a tire plug can work. In fact you should probably have one in your tool kit on your bike as well as a co2 pump or tire to tire hose. Id rather ride on a plug than try to find a tow truck in the middle of the forest and have him put my bike in a sling. If it happened to my front tire i may just go with the tow however, it would depend on how desperate i am.

 

I would never chance a tire repair on a bike. It only has two tires and its not worth it. I would definitely buy a new tire.