I got screwed...now my tire is flat

[psycoreefer]

Hey guys, got a flat last night, pulled the screw out this morning. Its in the rear, tube type rim, do I need to patch the hole in the tire or just change the tube out for one that will hold air? I've seen the "stinger" type patches recommended when I did a search but I can't seem to find a source for them, any one know where to get one? Last I found some patches at harbor freight but they say for radial tires, does it make a difference and if so where does one get a patch for bias ply tires?

[DiverRay]

The following is JMHO:
I don't think you NEED to patch the tire, unless the screw tore a large hole in it. If it makes you feel better, just get some of the glue they use for patches and use a nail to coat the inside of the screw hole. That should keep almost everything out, and if you smear it on the inside around the hole, it will seal up the rubber "skin" that is inside ALL tubeless tires. That should help keep the tire together for the next few thousand miles. Like 10 or 15K

[cywelchjr]

Most shops around here will NOT repair a motorcycle tire, tube or tubeless. It does make some sense to me, once the threads have been cut/broken in the tire body, it's never quite the same, and with only two tires, it's not a chance I'm all that willing to take. I did find with my XS400 when I got a flat on it, one shop that would re-use the tire since it was a clean puncture but insisted on putting a new tube in. Of course then it took forever to order the tube, then their mechanic was out sick for days, so I had them put some air in the tire, went to autozone and got some slime. The tire is still holding air just fine even know, and it's been well over 8 months (of course I have to top it off like normal, but even the seapage is slower with the slime in it).

[Jerry]

I go with the conservative side on this one due to past experience. Once replaced a tube, later on the tire blew again. Problem was that the puncture had caused a bit of a rough spot on the inside of the tire, rubbed on the tube and eventually caused a flat.

If you were going to replace the tube I would also patch the inside of the tire or be very sure there are no rough edges around the puncture.

If you decide to use Slime, be aware they make different versions for tubes and tires. I don't care for the stuff, but it is popular. Slime can seal small leaks, but "Note: SLiME is not guaranteed to repair punctures caused by gashes from glass or metal or on punctures greater than 1/8” (3mm)." So if you run over a screw or nail that is more than 1/8 inch in diameter Slime may not help you.