Repair an innertube?

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NY John T
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Repair an innertube?

Post by NY John T » Mon Sep 27, 2021 2:31 pm

Hi All,
I have acouple of 21 inch inner tubes from flat tires. I was wondering what people think about repairing the tubes. They have slow leaks and I haven't found where they leak from. I was thinking of using them only for spares, not for running tires. Repair or replace? Your thoughts?
Thanks,
John


speedytinc
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Re: Repair an innertube?

Post by speedytinc » Mon Sep 27, 2021 2:44 pm

Slow leaks are typically stem delaminations or leaky cores. Easy fix with metal stems. Hot patches, if still available work well. Find the leak & fix accordingly. As long as the rubber is in tact,(no cracks) I fix em.


Russ T Fender
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Re: Repair an innertube?

Post by Russ T Fender » Mon Sep 27, 2021 2:49 pm

I have old tubes with up to 6 patches each and they don't lose any air. The old tubes are much heavier quality and I keep them going as long as I can.


NealW
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Re: Repair an innertube?

Post by NealW » Mon Sep 27, 2021 3:02 pm

What kind of tube patches do people use to repair their T inner tubes? I was curious if bike inner tube patch kits work ok or not


Scott_Conger
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Re: Repair an innertube?

Post by Scott_Conger » Mon Sep 27, 2021 6:32 pm

I use this: https://www.amazon.com/BEST-Round-Unive ... 860&sr=8-4 along with proper cement and a rolling wheel.

Excellent success.
Scott Conger

Tyranny under the guise of law is still Tyranny

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Dennis_Brown
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Re: Repair an innertube?

Post by Dennis_Brown » Mon Sep 27, 2021 9:04 pm

You can go to an automotive supply store and get a can of cement and cold patches. Rough up the area around the leak and use the cement and patch.
I have a roller tool for replacing the rubber lock strip in window screens that I then roll over the patch to get any air pockets out.
To find a leak put air in the tube to inflate it and either put it in a container of water, you can do this a section at a time, or spray soapy water on it and it will bubble at the leak. Also be aware that valve stem cores can leak. to check for a leak there, spit on your finger and put the spit on the end of the valve stem and it will bubble if it leaks.
I had some old tubes that had rust attached from old wheels and that is where the leaks were.


R.V.Anderson
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Re: Repair an innertube?

Post by R.V.Anderson » Tue Sep 28, 2021 10:19 am

Lots of good options here, but I take mine to the tire shop down the street. They do a great hot patch for a whopping 5 bucks. They probably do it more as a favor, since I buy all my tires for myself and also my wife's car there.

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