Scratch & tire puncture

[Jim Jordan <superba@ix.netcom.com>]

Sean,

Can't help with scratch.  You can repair punctures by getting what some call
a radial patch;  good tire repair places can do it but don't like to because
it requires removing the tire from the wheel and gluing the patch, very thin
and lightweight, to the inside of the tire.  If you make them index the tire
to the wheel and put it back with the index mark aligned, no balancing will
be required.  Don't let the repair people use the plug method where a rubber
plug is threaded with a large needle like tool into the hole with some glue
and trimmed.  Often this causes ply separation and squirrely tires and
noises. I spent the better part of 6 months diagnosing a noise problem
caused by such a plug patch.  Use the plugs only in an emergency when you
have no other choice.

Good luck.

Cheers!