Biker saved my RFT tyre!

T

techathy

Active member
A few days ago I got a puncture in my RFT tyre. I was just getting ready to drive off on a deflated RFT tyre when a biker pulled up and offered me the use of his tyre repair kit. We sorted the puncture out & I went on my way. Today I got the tyre looked at. It was repaired as there was no damage to the tyre sidewalls & as I'd not used any tyre seal there wasn't a problem with using a mushroom plug.

So people get your self a tyre repair kit. This guys was a thumbs up kit like this one.
 
I thought only hot vulcanised repairs were recommended for high performance tyres?
 
It is, the maximum speed is 100km/h & hence why I got a proper mushroom plug repair done 3 days later.

However for a temporary repair think about this. As I'm using properly dimensioned tyre at the correct pressure there is no maximum distance limit for this type of repair, you just have to keep to the 100km/h maximum. Also that extra 20km/h means you can simply cruise behind HGVs rather than being overtaken all the time making it truly viable on trunk roads. Finally my RFT tyre was repairable after about 100 miles of driving, RFT tyres are usually junk after a mile at 50mph.
 
I was under the impression that you shouldn't repair run flats? :o

I know that some "Fred in a shed" type backstreet garage will do it just to get a few pounds from you, but the manufacturers don't recommend it.

The whole purpose of them is to be able to drive with a puncture safely to a place to get it replaced. You are now driving around with a weakened tyre that has now also lost its purpose to "run flat".
 
According to a friend who works in tyre development there's no problem with repairing a RFT tyre that never ran at less than 1/2 the pressure it should be for even tyre wear across the tread. Below that it needs careful inspection but if you've run it for any length of time or it was run when completely deflated RFT tyre it's junk.

I pulled over as soon as the low pressure warning went off & it was about 10psi under by the time I'd measured it. This involved me stoping, putting the roof up, getting my tyre pressure gauge (I keep the pressure gauge in the bin on the left hand side of the boot) & measured the pressure on the near side tyres. As we fixed the tyre & got it up to full pressure again it didn't sustain structural damage.
 
TR4man said:
I was under the impression that you shouldn't repair run flats? :o

I know that some "Fred in a shed" type backstreet garage will do it just to get a few pounds from you, but the manufacturers don't recommend it.

The whole purpose of them is to be able to drive with a puncture safely to a place to get it replaced. You are now driving around with a weakened tyre that has now also lost its purpose to "run flat".
Click to expand...
Had mine repaired by HiQ not quite fred in a shed :wink:
Tyre went on to do 3000 plus miles before I sold the car
 
I run with non run flats and like most dread the day when /if you get a puncture.So as well as the usual gunk I also carry a similar repair kit.nice to know they work it would be my first port of call before resorting to tyre sealant.
 
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