So, I'm working on breaking in my 500R and take it for a several hundred mile trip, made mostly of speeds where I can keep it at or below 4500 RPMs (close enough to the specs IMO). Enjoy about 200 miles of biking and am at a gas station refueling.....begin briefly checking bike over.....and GREAT...see a nail head sticking out the rear tire. Nail is about halfway between sidewall edge and main tread path of tire. I'm 100+ miles from home, it's getting dark, and I have nail in my tire....could've been a lot worse I know, but I wasn't real happy considering the bike has 500 miles on it and I've only had it about 3 weeks.
So, long story somewhat shorter (BTW, there will be a quiz at the end). I call a bike shop that's local and they are closed. Turns out there is an Advanced Auto right up the street. So, I pick at the nail a bit, deem it only somewhat life threatning and putt up the street wishing my '04 had hazard lights
. Get to the auto store, ask them what they think...doesn't help my situation, and proceed to buy a tire plug kit, rubber cement etc. I have everything ready and start pulling the nail out and notice the thing has to be at least 1 1/4" long! Finally, the nail pops out and I am getting ready to jab the plug in the hole and see that there is no air coming out of the hole. So, I poor some water over the hole, no bubbles, I put some weight on the tire, no bubbles, I pinch and flex the tire, no bubbles. So.........I decided to risk it.
I don't know how, but that 1 1/4" nail must have run down the length of the tread and avoided actually puncturing the tire itself, though it looked like it was straight in. I drove it home, in the dark, very carefully at first....waiting to feel any wandering of the bike, checked it several times and still is good. I've now put 130 miles on it....most at high speeds and it seems ok.
My Question - Is It Safe? I know about the importance of the tire of a motorcycle........ But, if it hasn't leaked at all in 130 miles, is it ok? Frankly, I'm not worried if it leaks....if it does, I'll replace it asap. I am only worried about a blow out. If this increases my chances of a blow out, I'll replace it asap. Money is tight, but my life is worth it. The bike is due it's first service visit, so I'll have them look at it, but I wanted to tell my story here (I know it was a long one) and ask you all. Whatcha think?
So, long story somewhat shorter (BTW, there will be a quiz at the end). I call a bike shop that's local and they are closed. Turns out there is an Advanced Auto right up the street. So, I pick at the nail a bit, deem it only somewhat life threatning and putt up the street wishing my '04 had hazard lights
I don't know how, but that 1 1/4" nail must have run down the length of the tread and avoided actually puncturing the tire itself, though it looked like it was straight in. I drove it home, in the dark, very carefully at first....waiting to feel any wandering of the bike, checked it several times and still is good. I've now put 130 miles on it....most at high speeds and it seems ok.
My Question - Is It Safe? I know about the importance of the tire of a motorcycle........ But, if it hasn't leaked at all in 130 miles, is it ok? Frankly, I'm not worried if it leaks....if it does, I'll replace it asap. I am only worried about a blow out. If this increases my chances of a blow out, I'll replace it asap. Money is tight, but my life is worth it. The bike is due it's first service visit, so I'll have them look at it, but I wanted to tell my story here (I know it was a long one) and ask you all. Whatcha think?