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Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2009 6:45 pm Post subject: I would advise against it
Others here may disagree, but I used to work at a tire shop and we made a point of NEVER allowing motorcycle tubes to be patched.
Thats not to say I have not done it successfully when I was on a road trip (patch kit fits in my toolbox better than an extra tube) BUT AS SOON AS IT WAS PATCHED I DROVE HOME (Kept the speed down) and IMMEDIATELY REPLACED THE TUBE WITH A NEW ONE!
If you do patch it on a road trip, USE QUALITY self-vulcanizing patches (sort that 6-Roblees carries work well) - DONT TOUCH THE WALMART JUNK!
a 10 dollar tube is not worth your life, when you only have 2 wheels it can make or break you, literally.
Sounds to me like you did this at home while safe and sound, so no reason to patch it, just get a new tube and write off the cash as a not so expensive lesson in mounting motorcycle tires.
Probably not the answer you wanted to hear, but its how I would approach it.
Joined: Feb 23, 2007 Posts: 1044 Location: Orlando, FL
Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2009 7:35 pm Post subject:
Oh, boy... You're right. I WILL disagree with that.
Having resurrected dozens and dozens of bikes in my life, and been an avid off-road rider for the past 37 years, I've patched any number of motorcycle tubes in my life, both the self-vulcanizing and the ordinary "Wal-mart junk". I've never once had a subsequent leak. Never.
That kind of advice is the same as saying "You should never work on your own brakes - take it to a professional and let them do it. Your life is too important...."
Posted: Thu Apr 30, 2009 12:12 pm Post subject: Personal experience
KirkN
You are entitled to disagree, thats the beauty of these forums, but permit me to mention that I have seen a near wreck occur on a buddies bike because he had an old patched tube that blew out on him when he went to accelerate hard from a stoplight. He later found that his cheap patch had literally sheared off the tube...
In my time I have patched literally thousands of tubes for everything from wheelbarrows to backhoes... and yes I too have done motorcycle tubes, but like I said, only to bring em home or till I could put a fresh tube in. Just not worth it in my opinion, its a lot different than a brake job being done by pro's or at home, I seriously doubt many of the pro shops will patch a tube for you, but who knows...
pcloudy, hope you see that there are indeed two sides to this train of thought, and I don't necessarily disagree with KirkN that it can be done safely, its just if its worth the risk where I think we disagree
KirkN, please understand I mean you no disrespect here, I have read a lot of your comments and posts and believe you to be a very knowledgeable and reputable person here on the forums, I don't care to step on toes of good people, my apologies... ride safe and keep it fun
Joined: Nov 02, 2008 Posts: 1086 Location: New Zealand
Posted: Thu Apr 30, 2009 2:06 pm Post subject:
With my trailies I've often patched tubes and I've never had a patch lift but with my road machines as soon as I was grown up enough to seriously think about obligations to others I started to carry spare tubes as well as the tools when I was going out of town. Not concerned so much for myself but didn't want the nagging doubt of a pillion or other people being hurt or worse because I didn't put in a new tube.So I understand workshops who insist on a new tube.
Ironically the one blow-out (Front wheel heeling to the left on first bit of an S bend at 110km/h) I 've survived on the road was from a nail presumably picked up off the road.No I didn't go down but not sure if I can claim any credit for that. I was carrying tubes and tools and the fix was straightforward BECAUSE I had bought an aftermarket centre-stand for the quite heavy and fairing draped bike. Centre-stands are an excellent investment!
Joined: Feb 23, 2007 Posts: 1044 Location: Orlando, FL
Posted: Thu Apr 30, 2009 3:20 pm Post subject:
NO offense was taken, and I hope that I didn't GIVE offense either.
I think you summed it up accurately - we perhaps disagree on is the risk worth it, and perhaps even if there IS a risk...
I agree about the value of forums being in their differences of opinions expressed.
I would also disagree about your buddy's near-wreck being caused a catastrophic tube failure. How does a patch peel off the tube? Are you telling me the tire moved relative to the tube, thus peeling the patch off? Because I'm not buying that his bike was powerful enough nor the tire's grip was sticky enough to allow the tire to spin relative to the RIM. Because the tube is "keyed" to the rim via the valve stem. The tube moves as the rim moves. I'll submit that the tire does too. I don't believe your buddy's patch sheared off CAUSING the loss of air. I'll believe that it leaked on him, then he did something aggressive on an underinflated tire and he got in trouble.
I'm also not clear that tubes EVER "blow out" unless there's a weak spot in the tire, too - worn thru, rotten, etc. Then, the tube is forced out and 'blows out'. Otherwise, the overwhelming majority of tube leaks is when the tube is punctured from the outside, which cannot be a fault of a patch.
As for what a shop will or will not do these days, I firmly believe that is as much driven by LIABILITY LAWYERS as by "technical" merits. Shops of yesteryear certainly patched tubes until enough were sued to the point of having to make a decision to "just replace with new".
Sorry, I guess we'll have to disagree on that. If it can be done 'safely', which you admit that it can, then it's worth it. Because the patched tube is either safe, or it isn't. Not that it's 'safe enough at a given cost'.
And, again, I've not taken any offence, nor, I hope, given it.
Well, fellas, this topic sorta came up while corresponding with a friend, I kinda side stepped at first but then let my true thoughts out, which was replace the tube and or tire. I had to go this with a fairly expensive and practically new rear Avon Azzaro on my Harley, roofing nail did the dirty work. My friend who owns and operates a tire shop will not patch tubes or tires and it's not because he wants to knock down the bucks to sell the stuff, he has enough business, and has told me he would prefer to not have that on his conscience, if someone is hurt. SCENARIO, beautiful July weekend, 74 degrees, sunny skies. You and your wife/girlfriend are on the interstate, cruising in the low 70s, and swing to the left lane to pass a semi, having just had the tire/tube patched on your scoot is farthest from your mind as the semi tractor wheels appear on the right, you hear a "pop". Allright, you finish the story in your mind, your reaction, what next, end result, whatever, it's all hypothetical, truth is (admit it) even a pro can't plan for any of it. I'm done, I guess ya pays your money and ya takes your chances, later....Blue.
Joined: May 30, 2006 Posts: 567 Location: west central il.
Posted: Thu Apr 30, 2009 7:34 pm Post subject:
gezz we patched the heck outa them in the ol days on dirt bikes, but we were broke, errrr we needed beer money then, I prob wouldnt on a street bike today seeings how the cost of a chinese made tube is so cheap. _________________ 76xs650 78xs650 79xs650 ty175 mr175 cb550
projects xs11 cb400 rt360 cbf750 & a hodakEE.
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No Offense given and none taken 
