Mirage Drive Mayhem

[da22y]

Originally Posted by driftwood

Like a bike, The mirage drive requires maintenance after so many miles.
I also take my mirage drive completely apart. Remove sand, lube, and inspect.

Very true, but I think few people do it.
Don't wait until it fail on the water.
Hobie minus mirage drive = B class kayak. (or even less)

[-scallywag-]

I dig the cbass scales!
but its probably not the best idea to use grease on the shafts because with the sand it will become a lapping compound and bore out those nice tight hubs of yours, use "dry lubes"....it also helps to pull out your drives before you land on the beach.

If your hard on you drives and dont want to deal with all the BS just sell your old ones, and buy a new set every season, that way u get all the new upgrades/parts, and your old ones will still be in very good condition and sell quickly for 300+. At any rate freshly tuned fins r nice!

[lamb]

Killer post Steve!

I am running out of excuses to put my fat arse on one of those

[sharjak]

I need to do a rebuild soon but now I'm not as intimidated. Thanks for sharing. What was the cost of parts??

[Iceman]

V2 parts are cheaper than V1

V2
drum each $16.50
Sprockets each $9.95
Chains each $37
idler cable $18.50
idler pulley $5.99

You only need to replace what is worn or broken.

[tagyak]

Originally Posted by Iceman

V2 parts are cheaper than V1

V2
drum each $16.50
Sprockets each $9.95
Chains each $37
idler cable $18.50
idler pulley $5.99

You only need to replace what is worn or broken.

hey andy,

what do you charge for this type of service? and what do you recommend in terms of the use of grease on the shaft?

thanks

[-scallywag-]

seems like the drums and idler cable are the major wear items for me....i really like the new style drums with the metal inserts. Anyone not running these newer hubs should up-grade for the $32....probably throw on a new idler cable while your at it and keep the old one as a backup.

[sharjak]

Originally Posted by Iceman

V2 parts are cheaper than V1

V2
drum each $16.50
Sprockets each $9.95
Chains each $37
idler cable $18.50
idler pulley $5.99

You only need to replace what is worn or broken.

Are they usually in stock?

[TJones]

priceless. when i rebuilt mine , i did not find any scales ..

[steveooo]

Originally Posted by -scallywag-

I dig the cbass scales!
but its probably not the best idea to use grease on the shafts because with the sand it will become a lapping compound and bore out those nice tight hubs of yours, use "dry lubes"....it also helps to pull out your drives before you land on the beach.

If your hard on you drives and dont want to deal with all the BS just sell your old ones, and buy a new set every season, that way u get all the new upgrades/parts, and your old ones will still be in very good condition and sell quickly for 300+. At any rate freshly tuned fins r nice!

Yeah, its probably worth mentioning the grease was my idea, not Hobie approved. I don't know what Hobie recommends or uses. There was a small amount of residual grease left over on the drum shaft from when I originally got the drive new. It looked to be some type grease, as opposed to silicone lube or dry lube. I just found a tube in the garage and figured I'd give it a shot. Although the remnant grease on the shaft could be from landing on the oily nasty beaches I'll try this way for a while, and if it looks to be getting gummed up I'll experiment a little more with some other stuff.

The idea to keep an extra set of cables on the yak is good too, just in case an OTW repair is needed.

I also like the upgrade every year plan as well. Kinda like a good cell phone policy. I might start a "new every two" mirage drive program

[kayakhunter]

Sweet thread. I will be doing this soon.

[deepdvr]

Originally Posted by kayakhunter

Sweet thread. I will be doing this soon.

I suggest you fix your bait tank first.

The easiest maintenance/repair is definitely the new Hobie every year. You won't even get your hands greasy.