Compressed air on the road

[bluegoatwoods]

I had a bit of bad luck yesterday.  I took a ride and picked up a nail in my rear tire.

I imagine everyone hear is well aware that a flat tire on a scooter is a real problem.  And the possibility had occurred to me before this.  So I'd already formed the habit of carrying automotive tire plugs and even a bicycle patch kit.  This is just fine.  

But I hadn't gotten around to carrying a tire inflator.  In this case it wasn't a big deal since I was only about 7 miles from home.  I called my wife and had her bring down a 12 Volt inflator.  While I was waiting for her I plugged the hole.  I used a tiny twelve V inflator plus receptacle with clips for the battery that I keep in her trunk at all times.  

And I found myself thinking that I'd better start carrying the same thing on my scooter.  But with an improvement: a mounted twelve Volt receptacle that won't require removing the seat bucket when in use.



















I think I'll also augment my plug/patch kit with a brand new box cutter.  That'll be in order to shave that plug off as flush as possible with the surface of the tire.  After that I'll put a bicycle tube patch over the plug with a coating of rubber cement.


I'm sure that patch will wear off in no time.  Naturally.  But it might hold on long enough to seal the outside of that plug so that the road doesn't rip it out of the tire.  It's worth a try.

So now I'll also carry that tiny inflator with me.  And then the nails and other road debris can do their worst.  I'll have a fighting chance of still just riding away from it.

[claydoh]

On my scooter with 10" wheels, I actually use a bicycle co² inflator, with larger 16 gram canisters used for 650b tires on mountain bikes and gravel bikes. One canister seemed to be more than enough for the tiny donut on my scoot to ride safely, though not enough to fill it 100%, I think it got it to 28-30 psi, based on my cheapo gauge.

This reminds me I need to get a second inflator so I can put one back in my bicycle seat pouch

I do like the 12v option, though. nice work!

[snaker]

I agree with the co2 setup. If the tire breaks the bead a small compressor can have a challenge reseating the bead. A tankless mini like  yours can be impossible.

www.ebay.com/itm/Tusk-Tire-Repair-Kit-Motorcycle-ATV-Dirt-Bike-Enduro-Pack-CO2-Inflater-cartridge/192071949820?epid=3026494210&hash=item2cb8615dfc:g:KksAAOSwQQxcpkUv:sc:ShippingMethodStandard!56301!US!-1

This kit is similar to one I kept with my motorcycles for years.

[bluegoatwoods]

Mar 9, 2020 17:59:09 GMT -5 snaker said:

I agree with the co2 setup. If the tire breaks the bead a small compressor can have a challenge reseating the bead. A tankless mini like  yours can be impossible.

www.ebay.com/itm/Tusk-Tire-Repair-Kit-Motorcycle-ATV-Dirt-Bike-Enduro-Pack-CO2-Inflater-cartridge/192071949820?epid=3026494210&hash=item2cb8615dfc:g:KksAAOSwQQxcpkUv:sc:ShippingMethodStandard!56301!US!-1

This kit is similar to one I kept with my motorcycles for years.

Hey!  Nice kit.....

I suppose I might have guessed that something like that could be found.  It just never occurred to me to wonder, I guess.

It's pretty tempting.

[ThaiGyro]

Nice all! Here we do more adventure riding...long paved road sections or city riding, much gravel and pitted dirt roads and occasional "why am I here?" paths. (Muddy, steep, narrow)

We used the same thought processes, thus different methods of pressure. My banker friend is a minimalist like me. He carries CO2 cartridges and a sweet tire nozzle set they he made himself.

Another common friend uses a foot pump setup, originally for an inflatable raft. A bit bulky, but no problems. Pumps big volume. He mounts it under the rear rack in a box to keep it clean.

I carry a lithium ion powered pump. It's limit is top pressure and heat buildup...but it has a phone/power port and can be charged during riding...it is always helping.

Those three in combo have saved our asses 90% of the time. They do straighten bent rims or broken collar bones.