Well, had another flat. I need to know what kits are out there that I can have on the bike to do a road side plug and air refill in my tire so I can get home. I've seen the slime ones, but I really don't want to use slime in my tires if I can help it. I've heard of other kits out there.
Depending on the location of the puncture, a good plug will work- I've ran a plugged tire ON THE REAR, from about 50% to 100% worn out and it held pressure just fine. Of course it's a judgement call- the best thing to do is replace, ESPECIALLY THE FRONT- I'd only SLOWLY ride a plugged <front> home or to the tire shop...
If things are ideal to plug (NOT the sidewall or side of the contact patch- ONLY around the centerline area, get a plug kit with T-handle tools. Then either get a small compressor or a few CO2 cartridges and adapter, you'll be rolling in about 15 minutes.
If you're not experienced with DIY plugging a tire (I am), find someone who is.
I'm experienced with it. My thing is I would like a kit with the things I need to do a roadside repair. Mainly to get me home. Don't know if anyone can recommend one. I've seen the Progressive Suspension one with a CO2 tire refill holder.
I was stranded one time due to a large unrepairable hole in my rear tire. Now I carry multiple items: 1. Stop & Go repair kit with CO2 canisters. 2. A standard Plug installation kit. 3. A small battery operated air compressor.
I now believe that I should be able to avoid all flats now that I carry the above items! Nothing like being prepared to ward of bad luck!
When I'm on the road I carry a plug kit (thankfully one I've never had to use) and a mini floor pump from my mountain bike stuff. It's small, light and reliable. It's probably not much bigger than the CO2 needed to inflate a rear tire.
I have a small kit about the size of two bill folds.......with the C02 . I've heard they just barely inflate a rear....but good enuf to get you to real air..slowly.
The mini floor pump is under 14 inches long and is guaranteed to fill your tire completely. I've seen a mountain bike tire take a couple of CO2 cartridges and still need more air. If you feel comfortable with your CO2 though...
I carry the stop&go plugs and a stripped down 12v compressor from Aerostitch which plugs into my powerlet socket. It all fits under my seat. Have not needed to use so far but it should do the trick.
Well, I just ordered the Stop & Go Pocket plug kit (2 for both my bikes) and the Slime Power Sport Compressor (2 for both). Hopefully now that I will have them I will never need them. Isn't that how it works?
I have the smallest slime compressor, and a plug kit with T-handle tool. Those live under the seat of the Ulysses in the Buell "underseat storage bag" with room to spare. This setup is what got me off the highway on the return from Buelltoberfest last year - midnight in Bristol VA and I got a hole in the rear. Get down the ramp and right before the stop sign, WHAM, the bead pops off the rim. Walk it to the first parking lot, lay it over on the saddlebag to get weight off the tire, use a ratchet strap down the center of the tire to "press" the beads back to the rim after I plug the hole, hook up the compressor, and wait.
Got me to the hotel, and still had perfect pressure in the morning when I got to the local metric shop for a "wait" tire swap.
In the CR, I have four or five CO2 canisters and another plug/T-handle kit.
The others...I have a cell phone Although the S2 may well get a setup like the Uly has, since it has saddlebags.
Slime make a VERY small compressor.Wal*Nards,about $10.00.
Got one for the Buell, threw it in the Saab until I had time to figure out where I was going to stash it. The next day, WHAM, crushed a rim on a pothole on I-71 (on the Saab)... limped to the side, whipped out the spare, and it was flat.
God watches over drunkards and fools, and I was sober, so that settle that. The compressor did a great job of pumping up that flat.
I too have the slime compressor. I have used it to air my tires up at home, both cars and bikes. It has worked great. I did have to put e bigger fuse in my battery tender connector where I hook the compressor, because the compressor kept blowing it, but no problems since.
I also have a cheap plug kit, but I haven't had to use it yet, thank goodness. I used to work at a gas station and plugged quite a few car tires many years ago.
Before I bought the compressor I bought some of the CO2 cartridges and tried them at home so I would have some experience with them before I needed them on the road at night somewhere. I am glad I did, as I was not happy with them at all. The ones I bought didn't work well and barely aired up the tire at all. That is why I bought the Slime compressor.
I have my XB tires lined with it. Tires cost the same as they would at a Harley shop. I haven't had the opportunity to test them yet, but I have 20,000 miles on the same tire and its not worn out yet. When it goes bald I'll stick some nails in it and keep an eye on it.
Reseating the bead with a strap. OK. Picture where your tire flatspots from too much highway riding - right down the center. Wrap the strap around the tire down the middle where it flatspots and tighten it down. Not all the way...but you'll see the results as you're doing it. It pushes the beads out, towards the rim on each side. That combined with having the weight off the tire (bike laying on its side) gave enough "seal" for the compressor - which due to its size is sloooooww - to air up the tire and seat the bead once it built pressure, without having to remove the wheel from the bike.