How to Fix Motorcycle Flat Tires
Fixing a flat tire on a motorcycle isn't as scary as you might think. With the right tools and a little preparation, it can be about as easy as fixing a flat on a bicycle tire. That can save you time, headache and of course money. With labor costs at most tire shops through the roof, you can be sure your ability to fix your own flats will pay off.
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Things You'll Need
- Motorcycle jack
- Set of wrenches
- Tire patch kit
- Two small tire irons
- Chalk
- Razor blade or sharp pocketknife
Instructions
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Remove the Tire
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1
Set the motorcycle up on the motorcycle jack. Follow the jack manufacturer's instructions on the use of your jack. Ensure that the bike is on a stable surface before you actually start any work.
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2
Use the correct size wrench from your set to remove the offending wheel and set the wheel down flat on a bench or clean surface.
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3
Locate the puncture and mark it with chalk so you can find it more easily later.
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4
Break the bead of the tire, that is, separate the sidewall from the rim, by using the end of a tire iron and pressing the sidewall away from the rim.
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5
Pry the edge of the tire up and over the side of the rim and leave one tire iron under the rubber for now. Use the other tire iron to pry the rest of the tire over the side of the rim, starting right next to the other iron and moving slowly away from it. Once the rest of the first edge of the tire is off the rim, the second edge (the other side of the tire) should just pop off without having to use the tire irons.
Fixing the Flat
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6
Open the patch kit and take out the rasp. If your kit didn't come with a rasp, use the plug insertion tool and make a mental note to get a kit with a rasp. Use the rasp to clean out the puncture. The sides of the hole need to be roughed up a bit so the glue can hold the plug better.
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7
Clean the area on the outside and the inside of the tire around the puncture. Clear away any extra rubber shreds that may get in the way of the plug.
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8
Lubricate the plug with rubber cement from the patch kit. Use just enough to get the plug wet. Insert the plug from the inside of the tire, slowly working it all the way through the puncture and out the other side.
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9
Remount the tire on the rim. Put a little soapy water around the outside of the patch and fill the tire with a little bit of air. If there are bubbles, you need to remove the tire and do another patch. If bubbles don't show up, you can add enough air to fill the tire.
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10
Cut the extra bit of plug off the outside of the tire with a razor blade or a very sharp pocketknife. Reinstall the tire.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Take your time. A rushed patch job won't hold air for very long.
If you work carefully, you can do the patch without taking the tire completely off the rim.
A tire plug or patch is not a permanent repair. Get yourself to a tire shop as soon as you can to get a new tire.
