Tire repair question

turtle · Post by **turtle** » 11:37 am Aug 31 2014

My last ride I got a thorn through the tire and ended up with a flat. The hole in the tire isn't huge or anything, and this might be a stupid question but I'm going to ask it anyway. Is there something I can / should do to repair the tire before I put the new tube in and put it all back together?

6 Riders · Post by **6 Riders** » 05:53 pm Aug 31 2014

Don't worry about the tire. Patch the tube with automotive patches and stuff it back in there.

turtle · Post by **turtle** » 09:38 pm Aug 31 2014

Thanks!

diymirage · Post by **diymirage** » 09:53 pm Aug 31 2014

turtle wrote:My last ride I got a thorn through the tire and ended up with a flat. The hole in the tire isn't huge or anything, and this might be a stupid question but I'm going to ask it anyway. Is there something I can / should do to repair the tire before I put the new tube in and put it all back together?

YES...pull the thorn out

canamfan · Post by **canamfan** » 08:50 pm Sep 01 2014

I take a rag and stuff it in the tire and run it around to feel for thorns. It will snag if there is anything in there, better then using your hand, ouch!!! I have been putting tire sealant (slime) in my tubes cause I ride in a lot of hedge and locust thorns. It works well but if you need to patch your tube the slime oozing out make it difficult for the patch to stick.

morganid · Post by **morganid** » 12:09 am Sep 04 2014

Do patch kits work on dirt bike tubes? The only tubes I've ever tried to patch have been on bicycles. Twice I spent about the same on patches as I would have on a tube other wise trying to get it to work. I ended up buying a new tube anyway. Since I go to all the trouble to get the tube out, I'd just as soon replace it and not risk having the patch not work and tear it all apart again.

Bitteeinit · Post by **Bitteeinit** » 04:19 am Sep 04 2014

Melting the tube a bit (with extra rubber) works best, though it's not really possible "on the go".

turtle · Post by **turtle** » 03:00 pm Sep 04 2014

diymirage wrote:
turtle wrote:My last ride I got a thorn through the tire and ended up with a flat. The hole in the tire isn't huge or anything, and this might be a stupid question but I'm going to ask it anyway. Is there something I can / should do to repair the tire before I put the new tube in and put it all back together?

YES...pull the thorn out

Done!

kx200 · Post by **kx200** » 09:16 pm Sep 04 2014

After about the 5th patch on a tube I will spring for a new tube. Have yet to have a patch fail

pumpguy · Post by **pumpguy** » 10:34 am Sep 05 2014

Old inner tubes are the dirt bike rider's friend. Cut them into rubber bands about 3/4" wide and use them to secure tools or spare parts like levers and such to any exposed frame tube. This trick has been used since prehistoric times.

morganid · Post by **morganid** » 11:18 am Sep 05 2014

pumpguy wrote:Old inner tubes are the dirt bike rider's friend. Cut them into rubber bands about 3/4" wide and use them to secure tools or spare parts like levers and such to any exposed frame tube. This trick has been used since prehistoric times.

Awesome idea. I've also heard of slicing the tube right in half long ways and tucking the new tube in side the old one an extra skin for the new tube.

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