How To Permanently Fix A Flat On Your Motorcycle | MC Garage

Got a flat? You can use one of those tar-covered ropes to patch the hole or one of many other emergency plug kits, but a combined plug/patch, installed from the inside of the tire, is the only method most tire manufacturers deem to be a "permanent" fix. In this MC Garage extra, Ari installs a plug/patch on the shop's Yamaha FZ-09.

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Not all tire manufacturers condone plugging a tire, but those that do insist on a plug/patch repair performed from the inside of the tire. It’s the only form of puncture repair that’s considered permanent because it fully fills the wound and seals the tire from the inside. Use only patch kits sized for motorcycle tires, like this Stop & Go system. Now, here’s how to use it.

Remove Item From Tire And Wheel
Mark the puncture, remove the offending item, and then dismount the tire. Yes, you have to remove the tire from the motorcycle! Also, be aware that punctures on the edge of the tread or in the sidewall cannot be repaired. This is because your motorcycle tire flexes as you ride on it and the plug will not hold air and could possibly rupture. The same goes for holes larger than 7mm in diameter.

Inspect The Tire Inside And Out
Carefully inspect the tread and inner liner for damage, which most often occurs from being run underinflated. Any bubbling or signs of delamination are cause for tire replacement. Delamination means that the layers of your tire have separated or peeled apart, resulting in water and moisture rusting out the tire’s belts, leading to more serious problems down the road. This inspection is the critical part of the repair that can only be performed with the tire removed.

Buff And Ream The Area To Be Plugged
Prepare the repair site by buffing the inner liner of the tire to expose fresh rubber. You can accomplish this with a file or 100-grit sandpaper. Buff an area slightly larger than the patch portion of your plug and patch. Finally, ream the hole to clear it of debris and to help make the shape of the puncture more uniform.

Insert And Glue The Plug And Patch
Apply rubber cement to the repair site and allow it to dry for several minutes. Remove the covering from the patch head and push the quill through the hole from the inside. Pull it flush with the inner liner.

Trim The Quill And Flatten The Patch
Cut the quill flush with the tread and then carefully press the patch into place. Use your thumbs to force air out from under the patch by pressing from the center of the patch toward the perimeter. The patch will stay in place with the aid of the rubber cement you applied and the air pressure from inside the tire.

Fill Tire With Air And Check For Leaks
Reinstall the tire and inflate it to the recommended pressure. Inspect the repair for air-tightness with soapy water or saliva. Recheck the repair after the first few miles of riding, and keep an eye on the repair throughout the life of the tire. If done correctly, your plug and patch job should hold throughout the rest of the tire’s life.

[Majesenmoto]

Ari editor, Ari speaker, ari cameraman, ari mechanic. The one man motorcycle army. Thumbs up!

[patw]

Yaaas I'm so glad I found this. Everyone was like "whoa a nail too bad you can't patch motorcycle tires without getting pregnant and dying of aids at 150mph". Thanks Ari, you saved this college kid from scrapping a brand new tire.

[moneeb]

Ari is a true man. No one can prevent this man for imparting his knowledge on all of us. No cameraman, no edits, no frills, just A MAN, AND HIS PASSION. AND A SCHEDULE OF MC GARAGE TO KEEP.

[bronzechan]

When MC Garage comes with no sponsor. It becomes a raw video.

[p.t.anderson]

For this exact reason I invested in a tire changer fixture thingy, No-Mar Classic, about 10 years ago. Between the better deals on tires online and fixing flats caused by tiny nails by myself compared to buying tires at a dealer and having them mounted there and also having never come across a dealer that would repair a tire for any reason, my tire changer has paid for itself and then some. It is a skill worth learning, no doubt about it.

[recpro]

These videos you can take to heart. I've never had bad luck nor a leak with the tire plug string... ever. Got one in my back tire right now. Now keep in mind I'm not trying to trump MM's advice whatsoever, I just know what works for me w/o wheel tire removal.

[sennsir]

This is an awesome how to video! 👏
but I think we're all wondering why you haven't made any HOW TO GET FIT videos!? 🤔

[mikeism]

I keep picking up all kinds of things going back and forth to work. Metal and God knows what else at work and glass and weird metal objects at home. Almost everyday I'm pulling something out. So far I've been lucky but it's really nice to know that a patch is possible. Much appreciated video. Take care all

[mogseyv]

Love the rough and ready nature of this one. Ari really was just fixing his tyre on the fly and letting us watch

[menom]

LOL. Gotta LOVE Ari here!!! I was just counting the SECONDS until that rear fender/plate-holder frame fell OFF that swingarm where he placed it!!! Awesome Video Ari!!! :)

[MrHappygolfer]

Thanks for the info! I wish I had this information this summer. I had just put new Road Pilots on in Flagstaff, and then got a puncture in the center of the rear tire just north of Seattle. The Kawasaki shop I took it to to have a "permanent" repair done told me that "no one" would ever repair a motorcycle tire, and that he wouldn't either. Being ignorant, I ended up spending another $300 to replace a two week old tire!

[halooord]

Is this unedited or something? Like it's just a raw video. No edits and just Ari all alone with no friends.

[RTK]

Little tip when you need to massage the patch from the inside use a cricket ball to roll over the top off the patch works a treat done it many times.

[shepherdosouls]

Im glad i saw this... my ninja 400 tire literally has 50 miles on it and got a tack nail in the same place you had one in this vid...i asked all the cycle shops they all said "it has to be replaced...so 3 weeks and $250 later im back on the road but i kept my tire hoping it could be repaired! So now imma plug/patch it and save it for next time!!

[AskJoe]

Really liked the more casual vibe from this video.

[JohnnyWooh]

function over form, love the new approach. Ari seems like a down to earth guy, so i fully approve of the less fancy video style.

[titaniunhead]

This "raw" video was really great. The information great as well... Thumbs up!!!

[joeharley]

I have put a tube in many times with a small puncture, when the tire is good. Works great.

[akshayrajivale]

The best motorcycle journalist hands down 😍

[P_R_Nick]

You seem to be so much more You in this video, a lot more relaxed. It's good to see. Nice video mate, and it got me thinking more about permanent fixes👍
I have to concur with others, do you work out before doing every video?