Needing tyres on the Pan Euro, I had organised a killer deal on some Avon Ultra Storm 2’s thru Drury Performance Centre, and had arranged a catch-up lunch with an old work mate in Takapuna while I was in the big smoke.
Leaving Matiere (triangulate Otorohanga, New Plymouth, Turangi) under darkening and wet skies I headed to my overnight stop in Thames with Family. The bike hadn’t moved for a year while I was working (sic) overseas, so I topped up the tyres and headed off.
The handling certainly felt different – but that was to be expected after more recently punting an R1 around Bahrain –plus the effect of ‘squared off’ rubber.
Approaching 8 Mile turn off I had had some “WHOA” moments, one in particular was definitely foreplay to a tankslapper, so after a quick visual check at the junction (I was thinking at this stage a slow leak to the front) I high tailed it, -slowly-, to Te Kuiti’ Shell station.
Worst fears realised, a holed rear tyre- quite a decent sized puncture – maybe 7-8mm - to the centre of the tyre, hissing away as I topped it up to find the hole. I poked the hole with my finger which dislodged the offending stone, opening the gap and letting the air gush out. BUGGER.
In summary, nearly dark, wet and cold, big bike, flat tyre. FARK. I reminded myself it could only be easier than my last flat, which was on the Southern Motorway in 1977 - when you could leave a bike on the roadside overnight and it would still be there in the morning!
Not a bad average I guess.
A light bulb went on in my head about a couple of repair kits I had kept under the seat to sort of ‘ward off’ ever having to use them.
First attempt with a rubber ring plug was quickly dismissed as futile, then I unrolled the other plug type, affectionately known as Dog Turds, based on their appearance.
Poked it in with a Honda screwdriver after the supplied tool came up short. Pumped the tyre up with Shell’s pump, all looking good except a slight hiss and applying some saliva confirmed a small leak still.
Working on theory, grabbed my tyre pressure gauge and reduced pressure to 30 psi and no hiss. Trimmed the superfluous dog turd with the supplied blade and off I went.
Putting some weight on the tyre (currently on the centre stand) would, I theorised - and hoped like hell, further aid to seal the hole.
IT WORKED BRILLIANTLY
Made it to Thames no problem, usual open road speeds.
Tyre pressure was good the next morning, so off to Drury where I snapped a pic of the INSIDE of my patch as they replaced the tyres.
Great service there BTW, recommended.
Never leave home without this stuff Kids, I won’t be.
Pix: (Phone camera, sorry)
1. Dog Turd in place, ready for trimming
2. Bugger
3. The inside story. Looks like a cigarette burn but is actually protruding toward the camera
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Originally Posted by ducatijim
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