This is obviously not a Vectrix specific question but...I ran over a wood screw a few weeks ago (fun living in a new construction zone). When I got home I heard a hissing sound and knew what it was immediately. The rear tire had a phillips head screw nearly flush with the rear tire. just off center from midline. I parked it in my garage with the screw on the ground to stop the "bleeding" and went to the local hardware store. I was in search of a tire repair kit so I would not have to sacrifice the rear tire with lots of life left in it. I ended up getting a tire plug repair kit...the type with the gummy strips of rubber coated in rubber cement because I have had auto tires repaired that way. I also was considering getting one of the pressurized tire puncture repair cans that pray the gummy substance on the inside of the tire, but at the store the packaging specifically said "Not for motorcycle use." So the reason why I am posting is the repair seemed to work well initially. However, recently I've had to "top off" the air every few days because the pressure drops in the 30s PSI. I just hand pump it up over 40 PSI and ride. The question I have is there another way I can seal up the small leaks I am still getting before resorting to a rear tire replacement? Also, is the rear tire difficult to change given all the Vectrix specific stuff in the rear? I'd end up taking it to a non-Vectrix dealer to get the tire change if I need to, and just want to make sure that they wouldn't freak out with the nontraditional setup on the rear wheel. Thanks for any advice.
Adam
This posting will probably be a hot potato issue, but here goes.
I always carry a self plug and CO2 cartridge kit as a last resort system. However, I also carry a selection of fat, short self tapping screws. I remove the object causing the air to escape from the tyre and screw in a self tapper, which, if the hole is regular and not a slit or tear, it generally gets me home and then the next day, onto a repair garage with no real loss of pressure.
The reason I do this is because I have been told by the tyre guys that they won't repair a self repaired (with plug and glue) tyre. A new tyre is required, however new. They will of course remove the self tapper and then drill out the hole and effect a repair.
Now I know some motorcyclists will say they will never trust even a professionally repaired tyre and that they must be replaced with every puncture and there are some who also say they would never drive a vehicle with remould/retread tyres and that is a personal choice of course.
If you do choose to do this you do at your own peril as I am NOT a tyre specialist, but have done this successfully many many times and I
only use this to get me home and/or to the garage. Though I once rode around unknowingly with a wood screw in my tyre for long enough for the head slot to be worn totally away to a polished dome. Shame on me for not noticing it!
Rear wheel removal is not difficult, I guided my tyre fitter with the handbook with no problems. They couldn't balance it because of its lack of centre which their balancing machine was not able to accommodate, but it made no difference to handling at all.
Simon
A large number of motorcycle and maxi-scooter riders keep their tires filled with an anti-leak liquid. I've seen recommendations for both Ride-On and PJ1 Flat-Seal. Slime is another popular brand but their liquid doesn't clean up as well using plain water, so shops sometimes charge extra for cleanup costs when changing tires and such.
An added benefit of these liquids is that they are just thick enough to provide some additional balancing to the tires.
I've used both Ride-On and PJ1 in my SilverWing, but never tested the effectiveness of either. I've heard good reports about both, however, from people who rode hundreds of miles on a tire that would have been flat without them.
Note: these liquids are not a permanent solution, a punctured tire needs to be repaired/replaced, but they do provide additional mobility in case of a puncture while on the road.
My electric vehicle: CuMoCo C130 scooter.
Just to echo other comments, the rear wheel is very easy to remove (if you have a centre stand or means of lifting in the middle of the bike). I'm on my fourth rear tyre now, all changed by different bike shops and not one has had any problems. So no need to worry!
The only doubt is whether you can get the tyre repaired, and then whether you're confident about the fix. If it was me, I'd buy a new tyre and ride without worrying. I picked up a puncture 200 miles after replacing the rear tyre... for £50 a perfect tyre was money well spent for piece of mind.
Brian
Removing my 'quixotical' VUK hat and stepping outside the VUK 'shed' I supposedly work in, I'll throw in my 'personal' opinions and experiences using tyre goop. I have been riding motorcycles for more years than I care to remember and also raced and crewed on many different types of cars (up to F1) so feel my experiences may help others make a decision on using this type of product. I refer to the liquid types and not the foam types used after a puncture happens. That foam stuff scares me!
Firstly, most brands say they are not recommended for motorcycles simply because they only have 2 wheels instead of 4, so when a tyre goes flat at speed you might as well put your head between your legs and kiss your butt goodbye. Even Valentino Rossi has nightmares about that happening! The disclaimer is made to try and absolve the manufacturer/retailer from any responsibility should the inevitable happen. When you have 4 wheels under you and 1 goes flat it's not a real big deal unless you're doing 200+ mph in a corner at Indianapolis.
I have used various brands and all have done what they say on the tin. However, I have always put them in the tyre before getting a puncture! When checking our bike tyres looking for strange bits of builders materials having pierced them every week or so (who actually does that?). When we remove the bit of shrapnel, it should continue to seal the leak, providing the shrapnel was not the size of a Sumo wrestlers thigh. Common sense is the rule here. If you think the junk you remove looks rather large then go to a tyre shop an get an honest professional opinion.
During a 50 mile race once a 3/8 inch (10mm) bolt had pierced a tyre. It had been there for a while as the head was completely worn away but the tyre held air and got me to the finish line (no I did not win but I finished!) Did I use that tyre again.... no way, the hole was to large and the tyre weakened. On the other hand my bike had a penny nail stuck through it and it did another 3000+ miles. The puncture sealer is not meant to be a permanent repair for all situations. If in doubt, replace it!!
As an aside, the stuff actually does seem to help balance the wheel!
Summary - What worked for me may not work for everyone. Don't think it will permanently repair anything. Get professional advice if you have any doubt.
Oh! The CO2 cartridge and plug type repair.... I've used them since my first vehicle on tubeless tyres only and never had a problem. Again, depending on the size of the invading piece.
Cheers
Doug Townley
info.DTES [at] gmail.com
(Formerly Vectrix Europe Technical Supervisor)
One door closes, another door opens
Thanks for all the tips. I figured the "not for use on motorcycles" was just for liability reasons given the two wheel thing for the tire goo stuff. I'll probably just put up with the slow slow leak for a bit longer then just get a new tire.
Adam - Denver, CO
2007 Vectrix VX-1 charged with the power of the sun = zero carbon footprint
its quick...
GREEN SLIME INJECTED IN THE VALVE ...!!!!
fit and forget and simple as that ..