How'd that get in there?

[DuMar]

I'd just finished syncing the TBs (thanks Jaxon) and was pushing the bike to the door to take it for a test ride, but something wasn't right. For some reason the bike felt like it had put on a few more pounds, as I was hardly able to push it around. Then I realized the rear tire was just about flat.

Back up on the center stand to take a look, but couldn't find anything after a quick visual and suspected (hoped) the valve may be the problem. Got the air hose and put some air in and could hear it pissing out right away. Turned the tire to find the leak and could see a bulge. Started routing around with some needle nose and was shocked to find a knife blade in my brand new Metzeler. ??? :'(

How does something like that get into a tire? I've been trying to think of who I may have pissed off lately, but the wife says she didn't do it.

Hey Jaxon: If we were closer I'd grab a pair of K60's off you.

Just thought I'd share this.

Mike

 

[~TABASCO~]

Holy cow.... What is that? No problem. If you have any other questions feel free to give us a buzz O0

 

[Kevhunts]

That sucks man! It's possible you just got unlucky and ran over somebodies broken knife blade but it sure looks suspicious. Is the broken edge old and rusty looking or is it fresh?

 

[Don in Lodi]

Here's how it works more than 80% of the time. The front tire runs over something laying flat on the road. The impact disturbs it enough that it bounces off the surface of the road, usually the lightest end bounces highest... BANG! ??? the rear tire catches the pointy end of something, anything. I actually just pulled the tip of an old kitchen knife out of a tire. I've pulled a functional pair of pliers out of a tire. Scissor blade, broken antenna... the list of sharp pointy things is almost limitless. The more rare front tire disaster? The guy in front of you gets lucky. Oh, and have you ever tried sticking a knife through the tread of a tire? Ain't gonna happen. Hundreds of pounds of force. Sidewall, sure, easy peasy. We have a tire up by the front desk with a bit of kindling stuck through the tread as a kind of subliminal suggestion that Road Hazard insurance does pay for itself.

 

[Tremor38]

subliminal suggestion that Road Hazard insurance does pay for itself.[/font]

Yup. Got ulimited milage for towing/wrecker on mine.

 

[3putt]

I have all 3 bikes plugged/patched rear tires right now. A small screw, #4 allen wrench and 2" long nail stuck straight in the middle of the tread. Yeah, I doubt anyone could stab a knife into the tread. I already had a hole, and then reamed it out with the tool, took all my strength and twisting to insert the worm tool with sticky worm.

 

[Don in Lodi]

I have all 3 bikes plugged/patched rear tires right now. A small screw, #4 allen wrench and 2" long nail stuck straight in the middle of the tread.

Your are just one lucky dude, aren't you. Some people go their whole lives without a puncture, and you've got three!

 

[colorider]

How does something like that get into a tire? I've been trying to think of who I may have pissed off lately, but the wife says she didn't do it.

Ouch Mike!!! The good news is that the next time you ride the stretch of road where you picked that up, you won't have to worry about picking it up in your tire!!

 

[Bundu]

do you guys repair punctures if they are not in the side wall? Is it safe to do? Max speed constraints after a repair? Use sticky worms or other?

 

[colorider]

do you guys repair punctures if they are not in the side wall? Is it safe to do? Max speed constraints after a repair? Use sticky worms or other?

Yes (sometimes)
No
Yes
sticky worms

 

[Don in Lodi]

Knife blades? Several sticky worms might get you home, slowly, but a repair? Nope. "Simple" holes, minimal damage if any to the belt strands, sure, fix 'em and ride 'em. I've used the Stop n Go mushroom plugs on a couple tires. The trailer tire is still good to go. A mini van tire somehow pinched the head of the mushroom off. Don't know if that was installer error or what. My last MC flat was a couple decades ago, somebody sabotaged a trail. I saw the nails, but didn't get stopped in time. New tube, rode the tire till it wore out.

 

[MotorcopBBQ]

I just went to the local yamaha dealership asking that same questions. First, if they had any punches kits and, second can you ride with a side way puncher using the "sticky worms" When it comes to the sidewall. “No” not worth it, just call a tow. But if you in the middle of nowhere, I’m using the worms to get home

 

[jajpko]

I just went to the local yamaha dealership asking that same questions. First, if they had any punches kits and, second can you ride with a side way puncher using the "sticky worms" When it comes to the sidewall. “No” not worth it, just call a tow. But if you in the middle of nowhere, I’m using the worms to get home

If I were in the middle of nowhere and had a puncture in the sidewall, I would plug it and try to make it to the nearest shop.
I would not trust that too far. ymmv

Now if it is in the tread, plug and ride..

 

[stevepsd]

Yes (sometimes)
No
Yes
sticky worms

Completely agree!

The only thing I do a bit differently, is that I carry a small tube of tire patch cement and put a good dose of that on the stringy/sticky worms. It helps them go in quite a bit easier and as the cement kind of 'melts' the outer portion of the worms, helps fill in any imperfections in the hole (i.e. not being completely round, etc) and really bonds with the rubber tire carcass.

I have personally ridden on these repairs (in one case almost 40,000 miles) - that's right 40,000 miles (brand new tire, picked up a nail with 200 miles on it)...that was on a '85 Gold Wing. Tires used to last that long (these were Dunlop Elites II's I believe - Bias-ply no such thing as motorcycle radials back then) - I would get 75,000 on a front tire. Of course I put almost 100,000 miles on that bike in a year, every year for the 4 years I owned it.

 

[DuMar]

That sucks man! It's possible you just got unlucky and ran over somebodies broken knife blade but it sure looks suspicious. Is the broken edge old and rusty looking or is it fresh?

Sucks big time!
It's hard to tell looking at the broken edge how old it is, but I tend to think Don in Lodi is right. As hard as it is to imagine, I'm sure it must have happened while riding. What I should have done was go buy a lottery ticket.

Ouch Mike!!! The good news is that the next time you ride the stretch of road where you picked that up, you won't have to worry about picking it up in your tire!!

That's one consolation.
I was just coming home from my "local" after meeting a buddy to discuss an upcoming ride, and decided to take the back way home via a gravel road.
Imagine someone is riding behind you and something like that gets airborne! Ouch.

Ironically, I just ordered the Stop & Go kit. Unfortunately, it won't do any good when it gets here.
So you guys don't think an inside patch is worth the risk?

Thanks,
Mike

 

[Don in Lodi]

So you guys don't think an inside patch is worth the risk?
Thanks,
Mike

Sorry, no. Not when it took out that much belting. Picture a net, cut one string on that net and it bulges out a bit and lets the little fishes out. Now cut a dozen strands and a Great White can slip through the net. You've cut dozens of strands, weakening an area of tire far larger than just the slit. Not even good enough for a spare. BUT! You can keep it around to practice your plugging and patching skills on. Get your drill out and run a bunch of practice holes. Invite friends over for a tech night, BBQ, oil changes, tire changes, and look what we've got here! A practice tire. ::008::

 

[DuMar]

You can keep it around to practice your plugging and patching skills on. Get your drill out and run a bunch of practice holes. Invite friends over for a tech night, BBQ, oil changes, tire changes, and look what we've got here! A practice tire. ::008::

Excellent idea! Thanks, Don. ::012::

Mike

 

[colorider]

Completely agree!

The only thing I do a bit differently, is that I carry a small tube of tire patch cement and put a good dose of that on the stringy/sticky worms. It helps them go in quite a bit easier and as the cement kind of 'melts' the outer portion of the worms, helps fill in any imperfections in the hole (i.e. not being completely round, etc) and really bonds with the rubber tire carcass.

Yes, same here on the patch cement on the gummy worms.
::026::

 

[DuMar]

OK ... the tire is toast ... I admit it. After I got it off the rim and located the perfectly centered 1" cut on the inside, there was no doubt.

But now, try to find a replacement tire on the West Coast? I don't think so! Looking everywhere for a replacement Metzeler but no one has stock. Not to mention I'm being quoted $260 before tax and delivery. I can get one back East for less, but I'm not riding ... I'm waiting!

Prolly going to toss the front as well and go with something else that will get me back on (and off) the road. Maybe some Heidenau K60s.

After riding this bike daily for the last few weeks, I'm going through some serious withdraw right now.

Can some one please pass on the torque numbers for the fasteners associated with the back tire? I still don't have a service manual and would like to get it all buttoned up correctly if I ever find some rubber.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[Bundu]

Can some one please pass on the torque numbers for the fasteners associated with the back tire? I still don't have a service manual and would like to get it all buttoned up correctly if I ever find some rubber.

::008::