How does a Yamaha dealer fix flats?

[John d]

Here are some pictures of a sticky string repair after a half-moon piece of serrated washer penetrated my rear tire.

Below is the sticky string viewed almost straight on. (no extra glue)

Below is sticky string viewed sideways. Here you can see what remains of the double loop of the string after it flattened out due to heat and centrifugal force. This bike was ridden immediately after the repair.

Here is the outside view after several thousand miles. It never lost pressure due to the repair.

 

[TXFJR]

ok, just so I don't assume anything, when you guys say "sticky string", that's the plugs that I linked...correct?

 

[El Toro Joe]

ok, just so I don't assume anything, when you guys say "sticky string", that's the plugs that I linked...correct?

I have the stick strings, the Slime mini compressor (see link) and I also have the Stop n Go Plugger Kit (see link) on my bike at all times.

https://www.amazon.com/Slime-40001-Motorcycle-Tire-Inflator/dp/B000ET9SB4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1392841589&sr=8-1&keywords=slime+mini+compressor

https://www.amazon.com/Stop-Go-International-Plugger-Tubeless/dp/B0006NE3KE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1392841375&sr=8-1&keywords=stop+n+go+tire+plugger

 

[John d]

ok, just so I don't assume anything, when you guys say "sticky string", that's the plugs that I linked...correct?

Essentially yes, although I use the black strings with no extra glue. Any auto parts store should have them. Joe links a different kind of plug that is also available, that I have never tried. Some people don't like the Stop n Go Plugger.

Generally it all comes down to how well you do the job. YMMV.

 

[El Toro Joe]

ok, just so I don't assume anything, when you guys say "sticky string", that's the plugs that I linked...correct?

Essentially yes, although I use the black strings with no extra glue. Any auto parts store should have them. Joe links a different kind of plug that is also available, that I have never tried. Some people don't like the Stop n Go Plugger.

Generally it all comes down to how well you do the job. YMMV.

I have used both the sticky strings and Stop n Go with great success. Although the Stop n Go plugs are limited to small punctures

 

[RaYzerman19]

You can get your Slimey pumps and strings at your local Wallymart...

 

[jmgrif]

Using my Plug N Go I have repaired a screw flat on my Honda Ridgeline! Not recommended by any dealer! Still holding air quite well 6 months later! The strings vulcanize with heat which if I understand correctly causes them to meld with the tire rubber compound, I'm not sure about that bit of info? On my bike if I have had to do the same kind of repair I trim the string very close to the outside tire surface and don't accelerate hard for a little while because I have been told the torque could pull the string back out of the tire if it hasn't had time to set?

 

[Ron13Feejer]

I use the Nealey Tire Repair strings. Tried several others and the Tire plugger kits to no avail. The Sticky strings are the way to go. Carry one of these in each bike and my car. Plugged the car tire with one of these a 1.5 years back and still holding without leaks.

For pumps, again I've tried several and found this pump to be the best. Fits under the rider seat with pouch and wires. I tested this pump and it airs up the rear tire (with the rear tire at 0 PSI) from 0 to 43 PSI in about 10 minutes. The pump is rated to run continuously for 30 minutes and then a 20 minute cool down.

 

[Niehart]

Aerostich Mini Compressor #3500 This is the smallest, lightest compressor we carry and one of the most efficient you’ll find for its size. This stripped-down mini fits in the palm of your hand and will inflate any motorcycle tire in a couple minutes. When a larger compressor is too much bulk to carry along, and CO2 cartridges aren’t nearly enough for your trip, this dedicated pump will deliver continuous pressure without fail. What it lacks in beauty, it makes up for in performance – which is what you really need when you’re flat stranded in the middle of nowhere. Has a nice long 26" inflator hose, 6' power cord, and packs small in included storage sack. Comes with three adaptors: SAE, cigarette lighter and alligator clips. Lock-down delivery valve fits all bikes. Also comes with carabiner clip, so you can attach the compressor to whatever you want out of the way and off the ground, instead of having it lay in the mud or dirt. Simple, compact, and dependable peace of mind. Pump is 3.5"×3.5"×.9". Packs to 7"×5"×3". 1.3 lbs.I've been beating the heck out of compressor since '06' and it still pumps up tires faster than any other compressor I have seen.

I agree with Ron on the Nealey strings.

 

[TXFJR]

I like that! it's $47, but I think well worth it if it works like that and it's that small!

 

[escapefjrtist]

I use the Nealey Tire Repair strings. Tried several others and the Tire plugger kits to no avail. The Sticky strings are the way to go. Carry one of these in each bike and my car. Plugged the car tire with one of these a 1.5 years back and still holding without leaks.

Haven't heard about these, thanks for the link!

--G

 

[dcarver]

Plug it to get home then patch it from the inside for a worry free ride.

 

[Bugnatr]

I use the 15.00 napa air pump. Cut off the cig lighter plug and slap on a plug that fits the battery tender cord.

A side note: When using the pump keep it up off the ground to avoid getting dust in the pump while running. Dust kills those small pumps.

 

[art miller]

I have a different opinion than most of you about Ride-On tire sealant. I have been using it in my rear motorcycle tires for several years and have had no negative results. I have not had a nail or puncture so far so I cannot say it prevents loss of air in that event. I can say it works well for balancing the rear wheel eliminating those ugly wheel weights. No dealer has complained of a mess when changing tires on my bike. Several of my friends are using it in their bikes and have had no negative feed back. I did try it in my Toyota Highlander tires and it was not a good result. When starting out it caused the wheels to feel like they were surging until I got up to speed and the tires warmed up. On curves it caused a slight shimmy in the steering. I had it removed. The Costco tire man said it was easy to wash out of the tires. That's my 2 pennies worth on Ride-On.

 

[redzgrider]

I ran Ride-On in my Concours for several years right after Rider gave it rave reviews. For at least a couple of tires I had no problems -- at least that I was aware of. Now that Concours was the biggest nail magnet that ever existed, so I assumed the sealant was working.

When I moved to Florida, on one of my first long rides (about 250 miles from home) I came out from a lunch stop to see a small screw in the center of the tread of the front tire. Hissing, so I figure it's really recent. No problem! I'll just ride down the road, and it will seal up. Except it didn't. Stopped every 50 miles or so until I got to my destination, and refilled the tires to spec (or perhaps slightly over).

I was shocked that the Ride-On didn't even slow the leak down, so I sent them a polite query by email. They replied with so much weaseling as to why it wasn't a failure of their product that it cracked me up. I replied with some dismay, and copied my riding compatriots. The Ride-On people were not amused that I had the audacity to question their product, or the weasel words used to explain why it didn't work in a puncture exactly within the design guide. Kind of left me with a bad feeling for the material.

 

[garyahouse]

I use the Nealey Tire Repair strings. Tried several others and the Tire plugger kits to no avail. The Sticky strings are the way to go. Carry one of these in each bike and my car. Plugged the car tire with one of these a 1.5 years back and still holding without leaks.

Ron 13:

The Nealy strings come in different lengths. The ones you pictured are 7 inches long according to the website. Others pictured for cars are 14 inches long !! The cheapos I'm used to are significantly shorter.

Dumb question: Why the EXTRA LENGTH? Could you shed some light on how these things work?

Gary

darksider #44

 

[PhilJet09]

I got a half dozen flats last year and can attest to the value of the strings, they work. Got the strings and inflator from Wally World for next to nothing and it all fits under the seat. I also keep a pair of needle nose pliers with it to pull the nail out. Saved my bacon 1600 miles from home too. I have my own tire changing gear, so when I get home I yank the tire off and use a patch/plug from the inside for a more "solid" repair, but lots of folks run the strings till the tire is bald.

 

[Ron13Feejer]

The 7 inch is for smaller tires i.e. cars, motorcycles, scooters. The 14-inch would be used for pickup trucks etc.

When repairing the flat, you put force the string in twist, and pull it out just enough for the tool to clear the tire surface and then cut. My understanding it that the little bit of extra length allows the sticky string internally to vulcanize on the inside surface.

Ron 13:The Nealy strings come in different lengths. The ones you pictured are 7 inches long according to the website. Others pictured for cars are 14 inches long !! The cheapos I'm used to are significantly shorter.

Dumb question: Why the EXTRA LENGTH? Could you shed some light on how these things work?

Gary

darksider #44

 

[SoCalFJR1300]

Plug it to get home then patch it from the inside for a worry free ride.

A patch/plug from the inside that is "vulcanized" (heated to infuse with the tire rubber) is the best secure way to repair a hole in a tire.

Most independant tire repair shops (all the latino owned ones in So Cal that I've been to) will repair a cycle tire. the chain tire stores won't or i haven't found one that will.

I had a "sticky string" or "worm plug" put in a car tire and a cycle tire before and they both leaked after a couple months, not the best repair.

BTW....A Yamaha dealer fixes flats by selling you a new tire, they claim it's about liability, but i think it's more about selling a tire.

 

[BkerChuck]

BTW....A Yamaha dealer fixes flats by selling you a new tire, they claim it's about liability, but i think it's more about selling a tire.

I don't work for a Yamaha dealer but a Harley one. Unfortunately we live in a litigious society where some people will sue you over a coffee spill. Manufacturers have pretty deep pockets and they like to keep them full, not give any of it back when someone drags them into court. I've seen and heard what some customers complain about and want repaired even when it's blatantly operator error or lack of maintenance on their part.I can understand a dealerships reluctance.