Tyre plug & changing your own tyres.

[thedoc46]

So i picked up a nail in my rear tyre last week. MT-09 Brand new bike in Nov on a brand new Dunlop Sportmax.

I bought a plug kit, one that you can plug from the outside. Mushroom type.

I guess I'm just going to plug it for now. Not sure I'll keep it plugged for too long. I don't know, maybe I'll get lazy after it being plugged for a few weeks, and think well why not just live with it.

So anyway, has anyone got any horror stories that they'd like to share about plugs failing?

This whole ****** nail, is prompting me to perhaps buy my own tyre changing equipment. I'm going to need to change my tires on my other bike anyways ! So i have three tyres to change out. Paying someone else is halfway towards owning my own equipment.. Bead breaker, tyre irons, and a manual balancer. I already have a compressor.

My only concern is i'll be a rookie, and well, I'm scared !!!!! to gouge my new rims. Who here changes their own tyres ?

 

[thedoc46]

Ah, where's the fun in taking it to someone ? lol I've just gone ahead and ordered a used by clean rear R6 99-02 rim, to practice on. I have some new tires on route to me, and well i can confirm that the plug was crap. Unless you're doing the plug from the inside, then its just a tide you over. As i am now finding out, after wasting $45 on the stop 'n go mushroom kit.

Dunlop were pretty decent and are sending me a front FOC, since my bike tyre is so new that its not even available over here in the USA to buy... So I'm getting a rear Sportmax qualifier, and Dunlop are sending the front for free.

So i now have two tyres, plus my other bike is going to need some new tyres soon...

I already have the compressor, i just need the bead breaker and irons, and some patience to learn.....

 

[thedoc46]

True, I do everything myself on my bike, just not the tyres. Mainly because I don't have the tools and only replaced tyres every so often, so really not a big cost to pay someone. Plus I know it'd just annoy me trying to get old off and new on! I suppose I contradict myself considering I'm about to buy a chain breaker/riveter with my chain & sprocket so I can do that myself! Saying that, chain/sprocket replacement can be expensive in labour so I take that back

A practice wheel is a v good idea. See, that's something I wouldn't think about. I'd just do it on my bike thinking it'd be fine, then mess up my rim!

Yeah, if i messed up my new shiny rim, i'd be a tearful mess !! lol

Besides once i've got the hang of it, i can probably sell the R6 rim on fleabay, for more of less the same price i paid for it... AS LONG as i don't gouge it up too badly.. In which case, I'll have all the gear but no idea ! lol