We had our first flat tire :( : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

Markcuda · 03-01-2004, 08:48 AM

On Sunday, the wife and I went for a nice 415 mile ride, rode down to Alton then up the river road to Quincy. 30 miles from home, we get a flat on the rear

(the tire is only two weeks old, with 1900 miles on it) I pull over and get out my trusty tire plug kit, complete with C02 cartridge=(2)68 grams.
If any of yous fine people carry CO2, you really need the 68 gram size. I would of been all day with the puny 12 gram ones.

A Harley guy stopped and offered assistance but he was in his pickup truck and one other person stopped later on into the ordeal. (I was blown away by the support everyone wanted to offer). I know, so I don't have to be told, I'm not going to run a plugged tire. I also know it could be dismounted and patched and probably never give me any troubles. But, I'm going to spring for a new tire. I'm going back to the Dunlop and I tell you why.

The tire has 1900 miles on it, about half of that was 2 up riding. Pressure in the tire was about 45 psi (the tire will hold 50). After I got home and raised the bike onto the lift and checked out my trusty plug I stuck in there, I am not real happy with the wear that the Mettzler ME880 Marathon is giving me. Believe me, only after 1900 miles the tire is showing what I would consider excessive wear and also believe me when I say my other three Dunlops did not show this after only 1900 miles.

By no means am I going to slam Mettzlers, I WILL (and I know alot of people are going to shake their heads on this one) but I'm leaving the Mettzler on the front

and going with a Dunlop MU85B-16,WWW. All in all, the river road was a good little journey at 63/64 degrees in the month of February I ain't going to complain too much.

timbo · 03-01-2004, 08:59 AM

Damn Mark I hate to hear about ya getting a flat. Getting a flat is occassionally in the back of my mind. Can you or someone else recommend a good tire repair kit and where I can get one that I can toss in the tourpack on my Ultra?

BTW, what was in the tire?

Thanks,
Tim

Markcuda · 03-01-2004, 09:18 AM

Tim, here is a link.

http://www.progressivesuspension.com...pair-kits.html

The kit I have is a TRK-5 but, I bought two extra 68 gram CO2 cartridges.
I thought I would never need them, boy, was I wrong

It was a 1 inch long 1/8 inch screw

I bought my kit from a Honda dealer

JCZ · 03-01-2004, 09:39 AM

I've posted it here before (and have saw others post it on other sites), my experience with Metzler is the same, low mileage. I talked with Metzler about it and it was explained that the Metzler is a "gripping" tire (if you are running a torque monster, that's the tire to buy) therefore it's a softer compound than the OEM and will get a little less miles (in my case, a lot less, I'm a very aggressive rider

). I went back to the Dunlops a long time ago.

Markcuda · 03-01-2004, 09:47 AM

I guess if tire makers would make a tire that would last a long, long time, us people would not make them as much money that they would want.
I want a long lasting tire, not a corner hugger

JCZ, thank you for your input

timbo · 03-02-2004, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Markcuda

Tim, here is a link.

http://www.progressivesuspension.com...pair-kits.html

The kit I have is a TRK-5 but, I bought two extra 68 gram CO2 cartridges.
I thought I would never need them, boy, was I wrong

It was a 1 inch long 1/8 inch screw

I bought my kit from a Honda dealer

Thanks for the info!
Tim

petelogan · 03-02-2004, 08:33 AM

A couple months ago I saw a magazine ad for some stuff you put into the tires and run permanently. Apparently it is used by police etc. Supposed to instantly seal up to a 1/2 in hole I think, and allows you to just keep going. Can't remember the name of the stuff. Anyone know ?

There is also some other stuff that is good for garden machinery, but causes a wobble at any speed cos it stays liquid. Don't confuse the two

Sounds like a good idea. I'll go have a hunt for the mag when I can find time.

Pete

chrisjanes · 03-02-2004, 01:34 PM

[quote=Markcuda]
I want a long lasting tire, not a corner hugger

The old goodyear super eagle 6 ply.
After 50,000 miles or so you would have to replace it because it would start to dry rot.
But..........like everything that was good they had to quit making it.
CJ

BOOMER · 03-02-2004, 02:42 PM

This is the Cat's ass for tire plugs. http://www.stopngo.com/plugger.htm
I've had good luck with the Venom X's, bout 10K on the rears and they stick like glue.

woodwalkertc88 · 03-02-2004, 06:27 PM

the stuff for tires is called slime , you can also just put it in when you have a punture

Garytheterrible · 03-02-2004, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petelogan

A couple months ago I saw a magazine ad for some stuff you put into the tires and run permanently. Apparently it is used by police etc. Supposed to instantly seal up to a 1/2 in hole I think, and allows you to just keep going. Can't remember the name of the stuff. Anyone know ?

There is also some other stuff that is good for garden machinery, but causes a wobble at any speed cos it stays liquid. Don't confuse the two

Sounds like a good idea. I'll go have a hunt for the mag when I can find time.

Pete

Just my probably dumb question, but if you have stuff in the tire that automatically seals, how do you know when you have something stuck in the tire that will tear it up beyond repair if you keep on driving without removing it?

petelogan · 03-03-2004, 06:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garytheterrible

Just my probably dumb question, but if you have stuff in the tire that automatically seals, how do you know when you have something stuck in the tire that will tear it up beyond repair if you keep on driving without removing it?

I think that's an excellent question. If only I could think of an excellent answer

I found the ad. It's a UK company unfortunately (I had thought from memory it was US). Here's the link to the company site:

Ultraseal

They also do a valve cover which indicates visually whether the pressure is correct or low. Here's the link to that:

Tire Pressure Monitor

If some of it sounds a bit 'snake oil', it might be worth bearing in mind that advertising in UK is required by law to be truthful. They would be pulled up for any misleading claims.

Looks like about $40 for two tires for the puncture stuff, and $5 a wheel for the valve caps.

Pete

Michael Benis · 03-03-2004, 03:04 PM

I run Ultraseal in my King. Have had it in all my bikes. It makes a hell of a mess when you change the tyre if you get a big blowout or run tubeless, but it's always treated me fine. Including finding a damn big nail in the rear tyre, pulling it out, checking the pressure and finding no loss. Continued riding on that tyre for several thousand miles without any problems.....

Cheers

Mike

Pat J · 03-05-2004, 11:37 AM

Mark you say that you are going to put a Dunlop MU85B-16 WWW on the bike to replace the ME880. This is the same size as the '04 Ultra's have on isn't it?

Do you have any clearance problems with the rear belt or belt guard as this is a slightly wider tyre isn't it?
I was going to go for a 140 or 150 on mine when it is due changing and as you have one or two miles under your belt who better to ask

I have the same bike as you just a little behind on the mileage!!

Any info appreciated
Pat J.

Markcuda · 03-05-2004, 03:13 PM

Hi Pat.
The 140 M880 does rub the belt, the belt rubs on the edge of the white wall

I only had like 1900 miles on the Metzeler and the rubing was not looking good for that few miles.
The Dunlop MU85 did not rub, so that is a big reason why I'm going back to the Dunlop. I got very good mileage out of all 3 of my Dunlops, so I might as well go back to them

I just don't think you will ever get a 150 under a Ultra.
I think all the 04 baggers are coming out with a 140 Dunlop.
I hope this helps you.