Tubed tires

[HDGoose]

I never seen a punctured tube that was repairable on a heavy road motorcycle. I used to carry spare tubes when traveling.

[threebrits]

If you run an internal sealing fluid (Slime etc) in your tire tubes, you will most likely never have a roadside repair.

I have done this for many, many years.  I have certainly picked up a stray nail every once in a while but the internally-sealed tire stayed up to pressure until convenient to repair it.

I have several bikes now with tubes that are properly sealed with Slime. These days, I do this mostly with the rear tire since I've never had a front puncture.  Usually, the front tire flips up the projectile that then pierces the rear tire.

The Slime is a great product.  Had a flat one morning, found the remains of a drywall screw.  Pulled the screw, put in the slime, spun the tire and filled.  2,000 miles later it's still going strong (other than the tires are ready to be replaced).  In fact it seems with the slime in the tubes, they don't lose as much air as often.  It seems like I only have to add air every 4-5 months now.

[Sheepdog]

As Charlie B intimated, tubed tires can get you home in the event of a larger puncture or a smaller tear. These larger penetrations can be booted and the boot will remain in place because it will be between the carcass and the tube. This type of repair is not necessary very often, but it seems these failures only occur when you're somewhere with no cell coverage late on a Sunday night. It's a small, but significant plus for tube-type tires. Another advantage is that, should your tire "break" the bead after the puncture, re-seating is possible with a HP bicycle pump. Tubeless tires require an electric compressor to re-seat. How confident are you about that 12v compressor that has been rolling around in your saddlebag all these years?

As I stated early on, small punctures to tube-type tires are easily repaired without removing the wheel. The Slime technique works and requires hardly any more tools/materials than a tubeless tire would. Tube-type tires are not a liability and in some situations are actually superior to tubeless. Just ask an Enduro or desert rider...

[sign216]

The Slime is a great product.  Had a flat one morning, found the remains of a drywall screw.  Pulled the screw, put in the slime, spun the tire and filled.  2,000 miles later it's still going strong (other than the tires are ready to be replaced).  In fact it seems with the slime in the tubes, they don't lose as much air as often.  It seems like I only have to add air every 4-5 months now.

Todd, was this on a tube or tubeless tire?

[Tom]

I had a similar experience with the rear tire on my Jackal.  Completely forgot about puncture repair with Slime when I sold the bike.

[threebrits]

Todd, was this on a tube or tubeless tire?

It is a tubed tire. 

[sign216]

It is a tubed tire.

Okay, thanks.  Good to know.

[malik]

On this trip so far there have been three flat tyres, the rear on the V7C in Orroroo, SA, the rear on the V7S in Cowell, on the Eyre Peninsular, and the front tyre on a mate's V7C on the way out of the Ruptured Budgie. Glad I carry spare tubes & the appropriate tools - all these happened a long way from any likely source of spares, but as luck would have it, all close to a source of compressed air. Not always that convenient.

Mal (current in Perth, waiting for the rain to pass before heading north)

[Tom]

Are you using any tube sealant like Slime?  Really helps.

[fotoguzzi]

I better get some Slime..  will it work if I have those balancing beads in there? the bike came with them already inside.

2nd ? (Tubed Tires) I keep having the valves stick open and the tire deflates, then I have to replace the valve core.. last time it wouldn't unscrew all the way out, I had to grab and pull with a NN pliers.. do I have cheap tubes with poor threads for the valve cores?

[Tom]

Don't know but since I've using it in the tubed tires that I have on the older Guzzis that I have.  I haven't had any rear tire failures.  They advertise a tube formula and one for tubeless.  Might have bigger chunks in it to clog up the hole in a tubeless tire.  I use to use PJ tire sealant.  Kind of remind me of working with the paper mache goop in elementary school.  When installing any sealant I have a small dowel or something to run through the valve stem and or filler tube.

[sign216]

I better get some Slime..  will it work if I have those balancing beads in there? the bike came with them already inside.

2nd ? (Tubed Tires) I keep having the valves stick open and the tire deflates, then I have to replace the valve core.. last time it wouldn't unscrew all the way out, I had to grab and pull with a NN pliers.. do I have cheap tubes with poor threads for the valve cores?

I had a similar issue where Slime was keeping the Schrader valve open for a day.  Eventually got it solved, but it was worrisome until it was solved.