First off, Chris, thanx so much for the reply.
NEXT: a couple of pieces that might be of use to others....
So I've learned a lot about sealant: its very alive and there are many ways to play with it.
I had another flat recently (glass as usual puncturing a small hole in the rear tire). After the flat (and about 10 miles from home base), it took me awhile to get the sealant to plug the hole and carry 20lbs of pressure. At first it would only work at about 10lbs. My technique is to fill the tire up to 30psi and then put the hole at the lowest point downward allowing gravity and air pressure to work to my benefit. Once I've got some leakage, I rotate the "hole" out of the sealant pool and allow a couple minutes for it to dry. On this particular flat, it took four rounds until I could get the tire to hold 20psi (which--IMO--seemed like the minimum inflation for going downhill at 25mph).
Once home, it ended up losing all pressure and the tire was flat the next morning in my garage. I played with it (as above) but now had my compressor so I could experiment easily with 50psi iterations in terms of clearing the hole of old sealant (via high air pressure) and then getting a more "Stable Fill" followed by a 20 minute dry time. I was able to get a "fix" that has held 35psi and allowed me two 25 miles with some confidence. As a result of having to go 4 rounds on the ride, I realized I wanted to upgrade my (on the road) foot pump.
The new improved pump:
While internet searching for a new foot pump I found one with much improved PSI numbers over the one i have been previously using. My old one (which I have used successfully for a number of motorcycle riding years worked well, but was starting to be unstable at the base--the ground base wire was bent and not fitting perfectly anymore, and while easy to use, took a lot of pumps to get the last 10psi. It WAS kinda slick however, in that it had its own little bag and fit perfectly below the saddle and against the seat tube. (also, cost less than $20). URL below is for the new one. Once I found it, I wanted one, but the many places I looked were not in position for shipping to USA. Finally, I found it at KTM Powersports, when of course the Orange color all of a sudden made more sense...
Small and light, so very portable - saves the day in the event of a puncture on the road! Mini-foot pump with pressure gauge on the swiveling valve head that fits all prevalent valves. Integrated double-cylinder with pressure switch-over to high pressure. Maximum 174 PSI. Height: approximately 7
www.motosport.com
Obviously costs more, and is quite a bit bigger (which surprised me when I opened the box), and means it no longer fits under my saddle. HOWEVER, its way better, for example, it has two modes (High Volume OR High Pressure). It kicks ASS in terms of getting to 20PSI. Then, as soon as you feel pressure resistance, you flip up the mini orange tab from the ground and it easily takes PSI to where ever you want. I can now duplicate compressor conditions on the road if I want--in terms of playing with the sealant.
Off the Wall Flat Tire Preventions:
Many years ago when I was a student and rode a bike 8 miles to and fro... I was plagued with flats for awhile. One of the things I tried (successfully) was "Tire Wipers".
www.renehersecycles.com
I put one of these on my front tire but can't really report anything conclusive other than my recent flat was on the back.... statistically irrelevant. Once I take off my rear tire to start my Tannus experiment (thanks again Chris for the shove), I intend to mount the rear tire wiper off of the inside of the rear fender. I'm not terribly optimistic about these because the fitment to my large 2.35 tires could be much better. Years ago, the tire wiper fit to my thinner road bike tires visually (and mechanically) looked much better.
Finally (I am taking Chris's advice above), I've got a Tannus liner, and should get a SuperMoto tire in the next day or so. While I hate to go back to a Tube (because the original goal was to simply make it back to home base--which I now believe Sealant does admirably--but once back, I still need to face a loss of Trust in a sealant repair and do the labor to remove/reinstall the tire and do a tire patch plus add new sealant. Thus, I move forward (or back) to a Tube to get out of the Labor Component (my belt drive adds considerable time to the turnaround).
Based upon all of my flats being tiny pieces of glass that aren't even still in the tire rubber when I go looking, Tannus protection (15mm) Plus (the SuperMotos's) Greeenguard 3mm should be overkill for what's been plaguing me thus far.... If you don't hear from me for awhile it means "no-flats"!
