From: Burt Wagner

Sent: Thursday, October 18, 2001 3:29 PM

Subject: Tire

Why we don't ride on plugged tires

On a ride one of our chapter members noticed that one of our bikes rear

tire was low. An inspection showed a medium sized nail. The tire was

plugged and ridden home. It was then replaced with a new tire.

The picture to the right is an un-retouched digital photo of the Dunlop

Elite II tires taken from ILZ2 ACD, Earl Hobbs bike.

A close inspection of the damage shows that the plug, a mushroom style,

was 90% chewed away on the inside. The outside of the tire looked fine

around the plug. If you take a close look at the site where the nail

entered you can see where it was 'wobbling' thereby enlarging the hole

to almost 1/8" on the inside. This enlargement was not visible on the

outside of the tire.

More disturbing, if you look above the nail entry point you will see a

spot 2 3/4" x 1" where the nail was rubbing on the inside. The 'worn'

spot is about 1/4 of the way thru the SIDEWALL thickness. Again, not

visible from the outside at all.

Think about it, how would you like to be going 70mph on this tire? The

plug is insecure and the sidewall has been compromised.

That is why, if you have a plugged tire you MUST ride in the back of the

group. And it is HIGHLY recommended that you have the tire REPLACED

immediately.

Until then, ride safe.