I've ridden a long time, but my 2016 Sportster is my first tubed tire bike. I have a nail in my rear tire. I know I should change the tube for safety reasons, but do I need to change the tire as well.... since it's... ya know..... tubed?

 

Put a patch on the inside of the tire - patch.., or (preferably) replace the tube - call it good

Ghost

 

Unless the nail is huge, you should be okay with a patched or new tube. I've done it many times.

Also, I run Slime in my tubes. I've done this for years and never had a flat tire. Lots of nails but no flats. The Slime sealed the punctures.

Such sealers also work in tubeless tires but create a mess at tire change time.

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My Dyna used to have Tube type Tires one of the First Changes Done to it ..

I would do Both while already in there, don't cost that much more to patch it as well replace the Tube ..

 

The primary purpose of a patch is to seal out air loss. A patch does not repair any possible structural damage caused by a nail that went through the tire carcass. Hence, there is no big advantage to patching the tire if a new or patched tube is used.

If it makes someone feel better, that's fine too.

 

I'd just change the tube. I'd highly suggest the wheel/tire plan from HD dealer. they give you a new tube, tire, and bands each time you get a nail. My old Fxdb was a nail magnet so I used this plan ALOT. Only downside is if it happens on a weekend, they can't get authorization til the next week.

 

I got a screw in my back tire last summer (laced wheels). I took the wheel to dealer and had them put a new tube in. There's no need to patch the tire, since the tube is what holds the air.

 

Leafman, do you have any problems with vibration or wobble? Doesn't Slime put the wheels out of balance?

 

Except that a patch my help to prevent objects from finding their way to the tube through the hole that is now in the tire......

 

As ghost said! Dealer won't patch a tire! Will only replace. Sorry.. Either do it yourself or find a local wrench