nail on the head.

I would only trust one that i had repaired myself, and then only as a temporary fix until I could get a new one.

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I intend to live forever.....................................so far, so good!

Whatever the fix, it would only be a temporary fix, I would only use the tyre till it ran out of tread...

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08 Specialized Langster

The difference (to my mind) is that the valve is part of the wheel, moreover it is designed from the outset to be part of the wheel, it is perfectly sealed to the wheel where it matters, it does not have to flex and does not alter its state as the tyre wears.
A plug on the other hand is not designed as part of the tyre and is a 'disturbance' to the carcass (the hole has to be reamed to be big enough to take the plug which is then forceably inserted the cords are forced apart -if not actually cut- during this process), it is only sealed on the inside- so water can and does get into and rot the carcass despite the glue because it is also forced to flex with the tyre although it is of a different composition and structure and thickness...
This type of repair is common on car tyres (but officially never near the shoulders because of the flexing...) and I've seen tyres go badly out of shape due to certain cords in the carcass rotting / rusting through... the tension of the remaining intact cords then pull it out of shape. ....is it really worth the risk on a bike?

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'98 M2 Razorback, it's a keeper.

Oooo, I love it when you talk dirty, Big Boy.

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Good in straight lines
2001 X1 "The Tart's Handbag"
2001 FZS1000 "The Fridge"

Rearrange these everyday words to make a truism:

SEWER A MIND IS NORM'S LIKE

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'98 M2 Razorback, it's a keeper.

Yep, you do seem to have a valid point there Rik. I'd still use it though

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If your dreams don't scare you, they are not big enough.

One thing that pisses me off "big time" is changing a damaged low mile tyre on a bike and it has happend to me many times in the past. On the other hand I like all my body parts in the order they came to me at birth. The paramedics call bikers "parts on wheels" for good reason as many transplant parts come from bikers.

Ok so use what you want but at about £150 for a good rear tyre it is a lot cheaper than a cheap wheel chair.

Oh and if you do have an off and the tyre is not right you might find the insurance company will not pay out. I have seen it before.

Some are more worried about matching leathers or the can on the bike. Just see how cool you look in them with one arm, no legs and a flash can up your arse.

For me I will pay up because I am not going to pay the Piper and have seen enough of my friends die on bikes because they have not looked after the basics.

You pays your money, etc.

for what it's worth I'd ride with it and have ,if the plug popped out(a complaint my mistress is always moaning about )I don't think there would be a sudden deflation,not more than picking up a big nail,I would think that the tyre sidewall strength would be strong enough to allow a controlled stop not.

Sorry Retromic that is not, always, the case. I had, on a roundabout, a puncture that was so big the only thing that saved me was the fact I had Slime in the rear tyre.

But like I said it is down to what people want to do.

A mushroom goes from the inside, the failure mode is a steady deflation rather than a Hollywood blow-out...

Think of the environment, tis another tyre that needs to go in a landfill...

What ever happened to "Make do and mend"?

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08 Specialized Langster

...a big nail doesn't make a big hole in airleak terms... it itself is a plug...
...but a repair plug goes into a hole that has been REAMED OUT to about 6mm... the air would exit out of that fairly smartly!
A mushroom plug won't 'pop out', that's not the issue here (although a plug inserted from outside the tyre possibly could)... the point is that the tyre structure has been compromised and will distort in time as a result. It probably won't fail suddenly or dramatically, but it will go out of shape roundwise and twist along the tread ... causing vibration, noise (drumming), handling unpredictability... hmmmm.... sounds familiar
In my view, it's fine to 'get you home', but no more than that.
But each to their own according to assessment of risk, budget constraints and sense of self worth....

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'98 M2 Razorback, it's a keeper.

I think now they call it "Health & Safety", "Risk Assessment" or "British Safety Standard". These W rated tyres are not approved for permanent puncture repair apparently!

Reading some of your posts has interested me into trying to find someone to repair it, but then reading "THE FLYING DUCHMAN" comments, dare I say it, makes sense! All I know is I rode MILES on a slowly deflating rear tyre and thought it was soft suspension than needed tweaking!

...Mind you it was my first proper ride out since purchase - well thats my excuse anyway.

Do not get me wrong. PHs offer is great and it is good of him to make it.

I would like it...

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08 Specialized Langster

The last time I looked, it was illegal to plug a 'Z' rated tyre, anyway.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pbi5Ggmk ... re=related