Mirage drive noise, is it banged up chain teeth?

Mirage drive (2007) make small klunking sound when pedal in the water.

Seems to work ok so no big deal, but wondering
a) what might cause it
b) any need to try and fix
c) anyway to fix easily
Note: seems to work ok, but maybe I am missing out on something and dont even know it.

I know its hard to answer but this may help…also noticed some of the teeth on chain might seem a bit worn so could that be it?

Happens when fins are nearly extended (not flat) so is not fins hitting the kayak bottom or anything like that. Out of water (and out of kayak drive) I move pedals with my hands and makes no noise but can feel a small sticking point, enuf to notice with my wimpy hands but not enuf to notice with my very powerful superhuman like legs.

I have pictures below which seem to show a few teeth that may have edges flattened out as though got crushed by rocks and I hit a lot of ROCKS over the years. I am actually amazed how well mirage drive has held up and I still consider Revo the best fishing invention ever, despite some small wear nuances from those darn river rocks.



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Looks like one or two chain links could be sticking due to physical damage. Lubing the chain might help free it up some.

This binding may be adding stress and shortening the life of the chain, but probably isn't hurting anything else. It wouldn't hurt to keep a spare on hand or make sure your local dealer stocks them for a quick turn around in case of failure.

"Clunking" usually means that the drive to hull engagement points, fore and aft, are a bit loose.

My 2005 Outback did this and the fix was a small strip of duct tape on the bottom of the forward engagement point. That tightened the drive up in the hull and the clunking noise went away entirely. I think I've had to replace the tape strip once or twice in 4 or 5 years now.

I am with Roadrunners reply....however, it appears that the chain damaged area could be easily "cleared/improved" by using a file to remove the burrs.
Then apply a liberal amount of WD40 to the chain.

_________________
Dr.SteelheadCatcher
Warrenton, OR

I hope to get revo 11 so will then have 2 drives with std fins. Am just debating whether to buy standalone 3rd drive with turbo fins or just convert 1 drive to turbo. I mostly need std fins for the river but would like turbo for the open bay. Hope my wife never finds these forums else I might get zilch.

Thanks to everyone for great responses on this and other posts. Never ceases to amaze how much you folks know. Ive been kayak fishing since 1975 but never paid any mind to the kayak itself except for holes, of course never had such a fine machine as hobie before.

Do you have a cart for the asphalt ? (how did you post your pictures ?)

I have a hobie cart but rarely use it since my car is usually within 20 ft of the launch. In any case, I only put the mirage drive in once kayak is in water deeper than the drive (and I take it out before landing). Main thing is waters I fish have a ba-zillion rocks close to surface so hits are common but only at slow speed since to make speed I paddle and take drive out.

As for photos, I assume the question has nothing to do with the cart or chain...I upload to Photobucket.com and then insert the URL into my post here.