| Everyone knows that a flat tire can ruin the day. | | | | of getting a sidewall puncture or the bead breaking |
| Most ATV lovers can tell you that it has happened to | | | | loose from the rim. |
| them or to a member of their party. Knowing how | | | | Another way to repair a flat tire on an ATV that has |
| to repair a flat tire on your ATV can get you out of | | | | a large sidewall tear would be to go down to your |
| a bad situation and knowing how to prevent one is | | | | local tire shop and have them install a think sidewall |
| even better. In this article we will explain how to do | | | | patch called a boot. Use one that is strong and |
| so. | | | | flexible enough to repair large sidewall puncture. Also, |
| The main cause of a flat tire is a foreign object, an | | | | you will need to install an inner tube in your ATV's |
| inexperienced driver and improper use or care of the | | | | wheel. This will be your back-up in case the boot |
| tire. We suggest to carry an all-purpose repair kit | | | | patch didn't hold. Don't try to save a few dollars by |
| when going out. These are small and compact. They | | | | not putting in the boot patch because the inner tube |
| can be put in a storage unit of your ATV or in a | | | | will find its was out of the hole and break. It might |
| backpack. You will need these tools to help you | | | | cost a few dollars to do this type of repair but when |
| repair the flat tire. Here are the eight basic steps. | | | | it comes down to it, this is cheaper then buying a |
| First, locate the hole on your ATV's tire. Then | | | | new ATV tire. Best of all it works. |
| remove the foreign object if there is one. The object | | | | Now that we know how to fix a flat tire on an ATV |
| can be pulled out or pushed in, do as needed. To see | | | | here are some tricks on how to prevent from |
| if the ATV's tire leaks pump air to 10 psi in the tire | | | | getting one. We have found three ways that work. |
| then put some soapy water over the hole. Out in the | | | | The first one is to use a liquid sealant that is placed |
| woods spit will do. If bubbles are made then you | | | | inside the ATV's tire through the valve before it's |
| have a leak and it needs to be repaired. Insert the | | | | filled with air. The liquid sealant will coat the under side |
| rough reamer in the hole to clean it and heat up the | | | | of the tread as the wheel turns. The sealant will seal |
| rubber. After insert a new rope style plug in the | | | | off any small puncture holes as they happen from |
| insertion tool. Force the rope in the puncture hole. It | | | | the inside. This is only good for small holes. |
| needs to be very tight if it goes in easily then it is to | | | | The second trick we found is a new product. It's a |
| loose and you will have a leak later. To correct this | | | | foam that is placed inside the ATV's tire and when a |
| situation add a second rope in the hole. Numerous | | | | flat occurs the foam keeps the tire in its original |
| ropes can be placed in a hole but the more you put | | | | shape. The tire will not go flat and there is no need |
| in the greater the chance that you will have a slow | | | | to stop. |
| leak. Sometimes this is acceptable. It can get you | | | | Our last suggestion are the tire balls. During the |
| back home. Now cut off the excess rope but keep | | | | mounting process of the ATV's wheels many oval |
| enough to have a knobby height. You are ready to | | | | shaped rubber balls get placed inside the tire. If a |
| pump air back in the ATV's tire. Remember that | | | | puncture hole happens only one chamber will loose its |
| most ATVs use between 4-8 psi. To much air will | | | | air pressure and the ATV's tire will keep its shape. |
| cause your ATV to slide more and not enough will | | | | Chambers can be changed individuality. |
| increase your traction. But will also increase your risk | | | | |