Mirage Drive GT Upgrade

[alanw]

It looks like you are replacing the sprockets and retaining the old chain? Mechanically speaking, it's usually not a good idea to replace sprockets without new chains to go with it. An old (stretched) chain will cause unusual wear on a new sprocket. A new chain on an old (worn) sprocket will decrease the life of the chain. I'm not sure how much wear is involved in the Hobie parts, but it's something to think about at least.

[FlyFishinYakr]

First off, thanks to LipRipper and all that contributed their time and energy to posting these very detailed instructions and pictures including suggestions and areas in which to expect some difficulty!
I plan on upgrading my old Outback (keeping for friends that don't own kayaks or possibly selling given a proper offer!) mirage drive even though I still plan on buying the 2015 once I start to receive treatments or surgeries (which ever comes first) to improve my mobility.
After watching a video from Ful-rac from a Gonzaga trip where he had a "Mirage Drive malfunction", I realized I will need to learn how to repair a Mirage Drive in the field on my own [and I will be keeping a repair kit in my "Kayak Accessories Travel Box", and as Andy won't be just around the corner to fix it for me! ] and I'm sure this information will be necessary at some time in the future!
FFY

[Lipripper92592]

Originally Posted by alanw

It looks like you are replacing the sprockets and retaining the old chain? Mechanically speaking, it's usually not a good idea to replace sprockets without new chains to go with it. An old (stretched) chain will cause unusual wear on a new sprocket. A new chain on an old (worn) sprocket will decrease the life of the chain. I'm not sure how much wear is involved in the Hobie parts, but it's something to think about at least.

I agree for the most part. For bikes this is a must as it is metal to metal. But I think on the mirage drive the stretch come from the cable portion and the links don't stretch as they are pulled over a plastic sprocket.