wiggy
06-21-2016, 09:38 PM
I want to tell everyone here what I experienced in the last week to give a heads up on what could happen if all the bad scenarios work out.
I was backing my bike out of the garage the other morning and thought "Dang, this beast isn't backing up too well. I got off the bike and noticed the rear tire seemed very low. I had just checked it a couple days prior and it was ok. My tire gauge registered a whopping 7psi.
I put the bike up on the center stand and started spinning the tire while spraying with dish soap solution. I found the culprit.
http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/wiggydotcom/20160614_183420_zpslewhb9st.jpg
I had about 7600 miles on the back tire and it appeared to have a few thou left on it. I've been successful in the past with putting a StopNGo style mushroom plug in a couple tires.
For those not familiar, with this kit, a tire can be plugged right on the bike. Here is a pic of the kit and the mushroom plugs, which get shot through the tire and then pulled to seat the head against the inside of the tire.
http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/wiggydotcom/StopNGo_zps5njrnhxm.jpg
On Saturday, I checked the pressure in the morning before taking off for the Illinois Freedom Run with a couple Vet buddies. It was down to about 37psi from the 41 I aired it up to a couple days earlier. I added air once again to get the bike up to 43psi.
The ride was uneventful until coming home. I noticed the B just started to get a little less responsive. Since I was in staggered formation, I weaved a couple times and didn't like how it was responding. The B even started to smell like a brake pad was dragging. I pulled off into a gas station, dismounted and notice the back tire was VERY low again and was the reason for the poor handling.
Upon rolling the bike over to the Air Station, I noticed my previous plug was nowhere to be seen and the reason for the air loss. I also noticed the tire was pretty hot. I at this point was just thinking about getting the bike home without anything major happening. I had the plug kit on me and decided to put another plug in, which I did. I then aired the tire up, checking the pressure as I went. I was laying on the ground to get under the saddlebag and have access to the tire valve.
As soon as I saw 41psi, I stopped airing up. No more than a couple seconds later, I heard what sounded like a shotgun blast and felt a big thud on my chest. The sidewall let go right in front of me and I got the whole blast of escaping air. I was wearing safety glasses but my face also got pelted with rubber bits and pieces.
http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/wiggydotcom/20160620_093015_zpskmjhzscz.jpg
http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/wiggydotcom/20160620_093041_zps0rvdlrd5.jpg
This is what shot out into my face and chest.
http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/wiggydotcom/20160618_160024_zpstidumumh.jpg
I'm very lucky the sidewall gave out when it did instead of 10 minutes later when I might have been doing 50. One reason I bring this up is because I just saw a thread where a few members were advising another member to plug his tire and ride it. I myself will only plug in an emergency situation from now on---to get a bike home. Then I'll take it to a tire place to get a stinger style patch put in from the inside.
I realize the sidewall let go because of the heat buildup from the low pressure of the tire as the plug gave way and air escaped...but WOW. Talk about a "Hold my beer and Watch this moment!?"
I was backing my bike out of the garage the other morning and thought "Dang, this beast isn't backing up too well. I got off the bike and noticed the rear tire seemed very low. I had just checked it a couple days prior and it was ok. My tire gauge registered a whopping 7psi.
I put the bike up on the center stand and started spinning the tire while spraying with dish soap solution. I found the culprit.
http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/wiggydotcom/20160614_183420_zpslewhb9st.jpg
I had about 7600 miles on the back tire and it appeared to have a few thou left on it. I've been successful in the past with putting a StopNGo style mushroom plug in a couple tires.
For those not familiar, with this kit, a tire can be plugged right on the bike. Here is a pic of the kit and the mushroom plugs, which get shot through the tire and then pulled to seat the head against the inside of the tire.
http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/wiggydotcom/StopNGo_zps5njrnhxm.jpg
On Saturday, I checked the pressure in the morning before taking off for the Illinois Freedom Run with a couple Vet buddies. It was down to about 37psi from the 41 I aired it up to a couple days earlier. I added air once again to get the bike up to 43psi.
The ride was uneventful until coming home. I noticed the B just started to get a little less responsive. Since I was in staggered formation, I weaved a couple times and didn't like how it was responding. The B even started to smell like a brake pad was dragging. I pulled off into a gas station, dismounted and notice the back tire was VERY low again and was the reason for the poor handling.
Upon rolling the bike over to the Air Station, I noticed my previous plug was nowhere to be seen and the reason for the air loss. I also noticed the tire was pretty hot. I at this point was just thinking about getting the bike home without anything major happening. I had the plug kit on me and decided to put another plug in, which I did. I then aired the tire up, checking the pressure as I went. I was laying on the ground to get under the saddlebag and have access to the tire valve.
As soon as I saw 41psi, I stopped airing up. No more than a couple seconds later, I heard what sounded like a shotgun blast and felt a big thud on my chest. The sidewall let go right in front of me and I got the whole blast of escaping air. I was wearing safety glasses but my face also got pelted with rubber bits and pieces.
http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/wiggydotcom/20160620_093015_zpskmjhzscz.jpg
http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/wiggydotcom/20160620_093041_zps0rvdlrd5.jpg
This is what shot out into my face and chest.
http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee370/wiggydotcom/20160618_160024_zpstidumumh.jpg
I'm very lucky the sidewall gave out when it did instead of 10 minutes later when I might have been doing 50. One reason I bring this up is because I just saw a thread where a few members were advising another member to plug his tire and ride it. I myself will only plug in an emergency situation from now on---to get a bike home. Then I'll take it to a tire place to get a stinger style patch put in from the inside.
I realize the sidewall let go because of the heat buildup from the low pressure of the tire as the plug gave way and air escaped...but WOW. Talk about a "Hold my beer and Watch this moment!?"