Tire question

lragan · December 24, 2007, 11:45:00 AM

I run the standard Dunlop 555 on the rear. Slow leak traced to a nail head protruding near the edge of the tread.

So is this tire self sealing? Or should I leave the nail in it for the short ride to the shop?

I have neither the tools nor the desire to dismount, patch, and remount this tire on the rear rim.

Thanks

roboto65 · December 24, 2007, 11:58:36 AM

Well I would make it a short ride and slow with the nail!!!!!!! I have a kit at the house that has plugs and CO2 in it have used the plugs once or twice comes in handy was made for motorcycles but once I got to the shop I would replace the tire have never trusted plugs or patches.

TLRam1 · December 24, 2007, 01:02:15 PM

Ride it to the shop. I have plugged my tires as recently as last week on the front. My hole was down in the center tread where the road surface would not pull on the plug.

It's your decision depending on where the hole is and whether you plug or not. The shop may or may not not plug it.

Greg Cothern · December 24, 2007, 04:34:12 PM

Depending on where the nail is and how big, a plug-n-patch combo works great. But you have to do what makes you comfortable!!!

Curtis_Valk · December 25, 2007, 09:19:08 AM

The tire won't self seal so if you pull the nail you won't make it to the shop except on a trailer. Leave the nail, air the tire up and ride to the shop being judicious with the throttle of course. You'll be fine.

Curtis

lragan · December 25, 2007, 09:56:03 AM

Thanks, guys, yet again, for your sage advice.

lragan · December 26, 2007, 09:20:08 PM

So, I called the Honda dealer in New Braunfels today, and asked about patching the tire (dismount patch from inside, remount) and he replied that they could do that, but Honda does not recommend it for speeds in excess of 55 mph!! While I don't ride like Alan or a certain nameless colleague from Bronte, 55 mph would cramp my style occasionally. So I asked him to order me another Dunlop 555, which, to my understanding, is the "factory" tire for the 3rd gen Magnas. Said he would do so, and call me when it arrived.

This afternoon he called back and stated that the Dunlop 555 had been discontinued. He has a tire in stock that is 10mm wider. Sure hate to scrap this rear tire -- the mold relief tits are barely worn off it. On the other hand, the nail is at the edge of the tread, square in the portion that is meant to contact the ground in a tight lean. So, I'll probably ride down there tomorrow afternoon. The leak rate is slow -- dropped from 40 to 35 psi in 28 hours. I will be very careful and slow on the ride down, and given the propensity of new tires to slide, on the way back as well.

This is the most expensive nail I have ever encountered, but it could get a whole lot more expensive if I make the wrong choice. Still I wonder if the dealer's position on this is in my best interest, or his.

TLRam1 · December 26, 2007, 10:52:10 PM

Quote from: lragan on December 26, 2007, 09:20:08 PM
Still I wonder if the dealer's position on this is in my best interest, or his.

An argument could be made either way here but I always think they are out to get my money and only one person interested in me keeping it. LOL

I hate to see Dunlop 555 discontinued as I like the tires characteristics (grippier) more than the Metz. After slipping a few times on the Metz I never felt confident running them.

What tire and size did he recommend?

drkngas · December 26, 2007, 11:23:49 PM

It will be sad if the 555 is a goner. The Dunlop website still has it listed as the only tire for a Magna (94-03). I too prefer the sticky 555 over the Metz.

roboto65 · December 27, 2007, 09:09:48 AM

I have been looking around and there are still alot of sites carrying the 555 you may have to order it and have it mounted. I have never run one have always had good luck with the Metz.. kinda like an oil debate LOL evryone has there favorite !!!

lragan · December 27, 2007, 05:47:04 PM

So I now have a shiny new Bridgestone 704. Only rode it home so far, and it feels OK.

Once I wear it in a bit, I will give a report. The profile looks very similar to the Dunlop 555.

TLRam1 · December 27, 2007, 07:12:41 PM

I thought the 704 was a radial tire and the 702 the bias?

lragan · December 27, 2007, 09:24:03 PM

You are so right, Terry. Sorry about that. The tire is a G702 160/80 TR412, according to the invoice, which I had right here when I made the erroneous post.

TLRam1 · December 28, 2007, 12:22:54 AM

I emailed Dunlop to see what there take is on this and what they would recommend as a replacement along with info as to what difference the characteristics would be between the two tires. \

Stay tuned....

John Luttrell · December 28, 2007, 08:07:39 AM

I'll give you my first hand experiance with tire plugs on bikes, then you do what ever gives you a warm fuzzy feeling inside.

I have been a mechanic for 26 years now, have plugged probably at least 6 or 7 of my own bike tires, and I have never used a patch inside with the plug, just a good quality plug from the outside. I rode all of these tires down to the recomended tread wear depth with no problems what so ever. The only ones that made me think about it a little was the front tires, but I never sweated the rear ones.

Now, as mentioned by some of the other guys, where the hole is on the tire is the big factor here. If the hole is near the side wall of the tire, you should only plug it to get yourself to a shop for replacement ASAP. Like I said though, you have to have a warm fuzzy feeling and trust your tires while riding; make your decision based on that.