How to install a tire plug

Standard boilerplate:
1. This is unsafe and will probably kill you, don't do it.
2. If you're still not sure, read item #1
3. Still here? Ok, you're on your own.


Here's what you need

Me heap good boy scout


If you want the same tool I used, buy a BMW tire kit and throw away everything but the plug insertion tool/reamer (metal thingy). I have never, ever, not once gotten these things to work. But the tool is nice and compact.


The Slime PowerSport compressor is one awesome piece of equipment. I think I have 4 of them for my various bikes or dirt toyz.
If you have a BMW like I do, it has that funky power plug that John Deere's also used. Plus the newer ones run through CANBUS so they limit the amount of power they provide. I have an SAE connector wired directly to the battery (from my Battery Tender). The compressor conveniently comes with SAE connectors too!

http://www.amazon.com/Slime-40001-Power-Sport-Inflator/dp/B000ET9SB4

http://www.amazon.com/Slime-40001-Power-Sport-Inflator/dp/B000ET9SB4

You need something like the Leatherman - pliers to pull out the offending object, knife blades to cut the plug.

Some things to consider before you knock your bike flat on the ground
While I did this on the center stand, I've done it on bikes with only a sidestand as well. Just be careful not to roll the bike off the stand when installing the plug.

Also ... I'm sure we all know this, but it's always good to say it again. Only tubeless tires can be plugged. The inside of a tubeless tire has a rubber liner that is the air-tight part. If the nail/whatever went in at an angle, you MUST follow the hole. If you punch another hole in the liner, a plug will leak and your only recourse to a permanent fix is a patch.

Get Safety Seal plugs. I've installed literally hundreds of them in car tires with very few comebacks. Our insurance didn't cover motorcycles, so we didn't do any of those.

Use Safety Seal's "grease" if you want to make insertion easier. I always put them in dry. They work fantastic. I've put up to 6 in a truck sidewall to get home (slowly).

I ran over a utility knife blade on my R1100S, nice 1"+ gash in the center of the tread. 3 plugs got me home. Sloooowly.

On my Cobra Mustang, a fresh close-cut plug would take about 7-9 burnouts to come out. A seasoned plug (500+ miles) lasted a lot longer.

Here's my flat from last night, in pictures. The tire failed at work, of course. Yes, the tire's about done.

BTW - this is a SLIME brand plug. They're kind of gooey. I need to restock my Safety Seals.

What the heck is that thing, and is that why my tire is low?


Ah, the interloper exposed!


BMW plug tool for their very stupid plugs. But it's a combo tool and works well enough for real plugs. Reaming out the hole. DO NOT make another hole in the inner tire liner, you can't plug it successfully when you do that.


Put the plug in the tool and push it in as far as you can to block the hole as much as you can and air up the tire to at least 20psi. With a real compressor, you just air it up, it'll outperform the hole.

Put the bike in 1st gear. And do NOT push it off the stand.



Shove the plug in, then cut it flush with the tire. Glove is because I'm a wimp and the BMW tool hurts my hand.


Do the spit test, then air up to desired pressure.


Tire after 60 mile commute home and back to work. I redid the spit test, no leaks. The plug will definitely last the life of THIS tire.


--
Eric D
08 K1200S Tricolor (phreowww)
06 Husqvarna TE610
Sandy Eggo, CA (Ramona)