Motorcycle Tyre Puncture Repair - DIY Plug

[@dartmoormole]

Your the only bloke who can make plugging a tyre entertaining. Great stuff

[@scottsellers9039]

I own a NC750X myself, enjoy your videos, and do my own maintenance for the most part. Permit me to add a few suggestions to this one please. First to all nay sayers, any time you puncture a tire it's integrity is forever compromised, and yes it's best to replace asap, but plugs are used successfully all around. The closer to edge on a motorcycle tire the greater the risk of a plug failure, and please carry a sharp knife to trim that tail even with the tire casing. Leaving a long tail gives something for ground friction to pull against. Personally, I trust the threaded plugs better than the mushroom head plugs, as they are silicone coated and are only held by air pressure.

[@pcofranc]

I'm not familiar with the threaded plugs could you put a link to them and thanks for your tips

[@scottsellers9039]

@@pcofranc Perhaps a poor use of wording. The type in the video consisting of cordage, or threads impregnated with tacky rubber.

[@diederikdemits8413]

Exactly the way I do it 2. these plug are very good! Tip : try it when the bike is in 1gear 👍

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

diederik de mits - ha! You are spot on. As I was editing the video I said to myself - you idiot. Put it in gear!

[@shredders3881]

I had an old tire in the garage, so I thought I'd experiment with a few different things. I tried a plug with cement (as you did), a plug with no cement, and the inverted mushroom type. After waiting a couple of days for everything to set, I was horrified to see how easy it was to pull the worm/rope plug out. Even the cemented one. I feel much better with the inverted mushroom type. It wasn't easy to pull out. One trick that I figured out was to rotate the handle 360 degrees before pulling it out. That creates a gob on the inside of the tire, and it make it similar to an inverted mushroom type. Naturally, this was just my unofficial, non-expert, casual experiment that wasn't even repeated yet.

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Shredders - interesting feedback.

[@mmaaddict78]

I consider these types of plugs just temporary to get me home. Once home, you should remove the tire and put an internal patch on the puncture if you plan on putting more miles on that tire.

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Yes. You definitely should make your own decisions regarding safety. Don’t take advice from some idiot on KZbin.

[@returnrider4952]

I carry all the gear but so far haven't had to use it. I think once my current tyres are due for replacement I'm going to drive a nail in one so I can practice as if I was on the side of the road or in the middle of nowhere. Thanks for the vid. Sensible and easy to follow as always.

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Return Rider - perfect. That’s what I did first time.

[@garthhowe297]

Good idea!

[@reljoy]

You have given me the confidence to try this myself. I'm getting a new tyre in a few days, so now is the time to learn. One thing I found is that my kit does not have pliers. I'd better go and check the bike tool bag. No it doesn't have pliers either.

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Having a multi-tool that includes pliers is handy.

[@reljoy]

@@AfricaTwin-Stuff Well, I did it! It was pretty easy! The air started rushing out when I got going with the reamer but all seems good now. How do you clean the gunk off the rope tool? I eventually found some turps and that worked. As well as pliers I need gloves in my kit. Thanks for giving me the confidence to have a go. Doing it in the comfort of my garage was a great idea. My tyre gets replaced in 2 days anyway.

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Congratulations. Yes the sticky stuff comes off with turps. And yes I carry disposable gloves in my tool kit. As we all know, “dirty hands, dirty mind”!

[@saadchiguer2930]

well done! use the rubber cement sparingly and give it 45 secondes to get sticky, it will hold much better.

[@pcofranc]

I've been plugging and sometimes even removing part of the tire to put an inner patch in which is the ultimate repair and will last a lifetime of the tire guaranteed but does take much more work and effort I have never had a problem except I did a plug which leaked after about one year and four thousand miles so I ended up patching it and retiring the tire after another 2,000 miles. The dealer did a plug-in patch on my car tire and it lasted 82,500 miles

[@user-wn8iv1ve7d]

What a legend. Appreciate your effort mate, thanks for sharing

[@crunchers9]

As always, thanks for showing us how it done. I have been looking for a nice cordless electric air pump like that, if in fact that's what you used. The local gas stations here either have broken air pumps or charge to use them.

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

crunchers9 - yep. My experience too. Yes it’s a cordless. Have a look at my review here. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pIqtgYKbeM95p7s

[@brendonfernandez]

Was just wondering what it would look like to do this. Thank you!

[@sunnymas2656]

I bought this kind of tyre repair kit, together with a very small accu compressor, for case of emergency. I put it in my car, or in my motorbike. Whatever I drive. In the next tyre shop you can fully repair this hole by dismount the tyre, and mount a rubber plug from the inside. If the tyre is good enough, for paying a repair. Or buy a new tyre. But it works only at tubeless tyres. Ok, the most are tubeless.

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

sunnymas - spot on.

[@jimfit669]

would like to know what brand you are using, it worked perfectly thanks

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

jimfit 66 - don’t know the brand but there are very common. Just look for the brown sticky rope-like ones.

[@fahadalluhaibi]

Thanks.. Did you face any trouble with this way of repair? 🌹

[@rubencangelosi193]

You make it seem so easy, but is it really? Thanks for your video.

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Ruben Cangelosi - no slight of hand here. It really IS that easy. Suggestion - as practice - before you change your bald tyre, drill a hole in it and then plug it. It’s what I did first time.

[@human1513]

Read my post above. I am a licenced mechanic, Certified Mechanical Engineering Technician & have worked in tire shops, auto & motorcycle repair shops, ... It is a Big no no what & how he does it.

[@human1513]

Use the umbrella rubber plugs. They are so much better. The Iron Butt riders use these. The "the Stop & Go" tire repair kits. Never use those string type as they can be spit out at any speed. So are very unsafe. But will get you to safety if you putt, putt ride home or to a repair shop. Proper install is to cut or trim the plug down to the tire surface so it does not get ripped out when the tire slips or spins, even slightly on some dirt on the road surface.

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Human - thanks. I’m pretty clear that I said don’t do it. This is an entertainment channel. No right-minded person takes expert advise from a KZbinr.

[@human1513]

Thanx for the info.. You did say do not do this. So I was confused & maybe too serious as to why you made this. video. No right or wrong. Just that I was concerned about someone, including you getting hurt some day. And I am of the impression Newbie bikers will follow most people who make good quality videos like yours. Meaning great visuals, sound & a nice pace of the video I thought.👍 Have a fun day. Safe riding.😃 I meant no disrespect. In my ~40 years of riding I have seen a few things I would not have anticipated.

[@csiautodetail]

@@AfricaTwin-Stuff honestly I thought you were been serious about the way you do it, I know you day don't do it but people say that all the time on videos to cover their back, so how you would repair it for real?

[@garthhowe297]

@@csiautodetail Oh, he is being serious that this is how he repairs his tires. He is just covering himself by saying that. It is a very common tire repair method.

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

CSI AUTO DETAIL - this IS how I repair a tyre. I’m just saying that my channel is for entertainment as I’m no expert.

[@1bike2up]

Properly done job there 🏍️👍

[@bungaloboynes]

I just sorted mine with this aamzing stuff love it

[@Joez86]

Nice video. The last thing I do at the very end is I usually spit on the plug and mix the saliva around to make sure there’s no air-bubbles :-)

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Joez86 - good tip. Thanks.

[@zacksunnucks9151]

Are these permanent repairs or are they designed to just get you home then replace the tyre ?

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Officially they are temporary repairs. Of course you wouldn’t follow my practice, but I’ve worn two tyres out, both with plugs in them and had no problem.

[@yosai3686]

Is this long lasting or air will leak in some time period

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

It’s supposed to be a temporary fix. But I’ve had a plug in a tyre for many thousands of km. And still there when the tyre was worn out and had to be replaced. But of course I wouldn’t recommend others do that.

[@winnie-the-poohahaha4428]

I thought glue goes on the reamer as well to help prepare for the plug

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

DrinksumConcrete Me - certainly wouldn’t hurt but I don’t want to gum up the reamer

[@Jeff034]

Can’t see any link to your on-bike portable pump. Ta.

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Bought on eBay many years ago. Listings come and go on eBay so can’t share a link.

[@ЭльдарСявкаев]

Useful as usual

[@louvega8414]

Wish I'd seen this a couple of days ago. Got almost exactly the same nail in same spot as you. My research lead me that green gunk you poor into the tyre. Do you have any experience with this method and how long it lasts compared to you plugs?

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

I’ve had these plugs last the full life of the tyre. Don’t be anywhere in the vicinity if you get a slime filled tyre replaced or the fitter will try to hurt you.

[@davidcap96]

@@AfricaTwin-Stuff my road side repair was done like in your video, but it was leaking air, so I was told to buy this slime and put it in. I decided against it and rather drove it to local bike shop, where they fitted a mushroom type plug from the inside of the tire by removing it and putting it back on, for about 8€ in my local currency. Now i feel much safer, the green gunk is so disgusting when replacing tires..,.

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Yes I agree. A mushroom plug is ideal. You never want to be around a tyre fitter if you have used slime.

[@krollpeter]

We all should follow your advice and never plug a tyre, but buy a new tyre. I am a complete moron and I did plug my tyre. Actually not only once, as the complete moron I am I plugged more times tyres than my hands have fingers to show. I did never have any problems with it. So did all my riding friends, and they had never any problems with it. But guys, listen: Don't be morons, don't plug tyres. Buy new ones.

[@ccooper8785]

Alternatively do what I did and ride around for a while thinking that there was something wrong with either the steering head or swing arm bearings by which time I had completely trashed an 800 mile old tyre 😠😵😭 on the plus side, I still have all the kit to plug a leak sitting new and unused in my "frunk"....

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

C Cooper - hmm. A sad but so very likely outcome. That’s a good warning for us all.

[@jeffwalker1322]

I never pull out a nail unless the tire starts losing pressure. My last tire had a nail in it for over 2500 miles and it never leaked.

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Jeff Walker - hmmm interesting.