Your aftermarket ATV tires are rugged, durable, dependable and designed to shred. Yet, they too are susceptible to blowouts, puncture wounds and tears. While there is nothing you can do about a blowout when out on the trails, there are a few things you can do to patch up a small hole and get back to having fun. Of course, you'll need all the right OEM ATV parts in order to do so in a timely fashion.
The Tools
First and foremost, you're going to need a repair kit. Most tire plug kits come with all the tools you need to get the job done quickly and effectively. Depending on the particular kit you purchase, you should have a number of plugs and either rubber cement or a small tube. The kit should also contain a CO2 inflator, patches and an extra CO2 cartridge.
Locate and Prepare the Hold
Once you have all the necessary equipment, it's time to investigate. It shouldn't take you long to find the problem, but if it does, listen for hissing sounds or feel around the tire for air escaping. If you happen to have soap and water on you (and, better yet, a spray bottle), mix the soap and water and spread the liquid (or spray it) along the surface of the tire. Wherever there's bubbling, there's a leak. Once you've discovered the leak, use the reaming tool to make the hole large enough for the plug to fit.
Prep the Plug
Once the hole is of adequate size, select a plug from the package. Coat it with rubber cement. Don't be stingy in this process, and be liberal in your use.
Insert the Plug
Use the tip of the installer tool to push the plug into the hole. Keep pushing until only a quarter to half an inch of the plug is sticking out. Allow the plug to thoroughly dry. If the remaining plug protrudes out farther than your tread, trim the ends.
It's not difficult or time consuming to patch a hole out on the trails. However, you can avoid the whole fiasco entirely by investing in quality ATV tires for sale from BikeBandit.com.
