Grease sprockets after every outing easily - a project.

I've drilled a small hole in the plastic V2 sprockets prior to installing. The hole is in the exact center of the sprocket, right on the sprocket ridge exactly 180degrees opposite the master tooth. The sprockets have a mold mark that marks the perfect place.

The small hole goes through the sprocket to reach where the sprocket shaft would reside. The hole is quite small about 1/16" or 3/64". the hole diameter is determined by the size of the grease needle you purchase. The grease needle needs to fit very tightly into the hole, but still be able to be inserted. Clean off any chaff and reinstall your plastic sprockets. You can now grease them any time in only minutes. If done correctly the pressure from the grease needle will force grease into the sprocket so that it comes out both ends, forcing out old grease/dirt and leaving sprocket & shaft properly lubricated.

Several caveats for project. Sprocket must be removed from drive to drill hole.
Hole must be perfect size to match grease needle - too loose a hole will allow grease to be forced past the grease needle rather than forced into shaft/sprocket cavity. You might want to practice drill a PVC fitting and check with grease needle.
Finally, don't stick yourself with the needle

The hole placement distributes grease evenly and, with the flippers fully spread, allows you to reach holes easily with gun & needle

I use marine grease.

a grease needle source - snaps on grease guns

http://www.tractorsupply.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay_10551_10001_172708_-1______?rFlag=true&cFlag=1

The above grease needle is 18 gauge which is .05" diameter which means a 3/64" dremel drill (.0468) should be used.

If you find a 16 gauge grease needle = .0650" in diameter you then can drill using an easier to find 1/16" drill (.0625).

Notice in all cases the drill is fractionally smaller than the needle size.

If you are worried about plugging the hole after greasing the sprockets a round toothpick cut short works just fine.

Yakaholic

edited to fix link

Yak, nice work! Got any pictures?

Last year you posted an interesting article about installing Zerk fittings on the drums:
viewtopic.php?f=11&t=11136



How has that worked out? How often do you regrease? Or did you replace those drums with the V2s?

THAT is one heck of an idea right there.
kudos for that one!!

_________________


Don't lead me to temptation, I already know the way.
Syn

Thanks

The picture won't show much except a tiny hole in the sprocket. The grease hole is on the same raised ridge that holds the teeth, right on the mold line exactly opposite the master tooth. After putting in a toothpick plug it falls right into the gap in the chain when pedals are fully depressed. Will get out my camera.

As it turns out the grease needle and hole work better on the drums than tapping in a grease fitting. With extra drives and parts I get to experiment.

I try to grease about every outing or every other if the time out is short.

The plastic sprockets seem to wear quite a bit on the sprocket shaft and I'm hoping greasing them often will help.

I like the idea. I tried your past idea with the grease fittings, worked well. Bought 2 other Hobies since then, I'll try this idea out on the new drives. When you use a toothpick as a plug, I'm assuming you leave a section of the toothpick protruding to remove when greasing, correct?
As those grease syringes look fragile and easily broken/misplaced I'll order a few!!
Another link to the fittings w/free ship http://www.drillspot.com/products/39206 ... tor_Needle

Again thanks for all your great tips, Bob

Yes, just use a pair of cutting pliers to trim back the inserted toothpick leaving enough exposed to be able to remove it with needle nose pliers.

I don't believe the toothpick is really necessary and the grease itself forms it's own plug, it just may keep any dirt/debris out of the hole

Yak,
Retrofitted all 4 of my mirage drives to grease them using your hypodermic needle grease fitting idea. I did it at the drum shaft and the sprockets, very easy to do when everything's apart. Was debating if it's worth doing it at the idler pulley also?

At the same time changed to the newer splined drum shaft, V2 sprockets, st and turbo fins. Now all drives are interchangeable between my '08 and '09 Hobies and easy to lube at any time without the mess and time it would take the older way!
Thanks again for posting a great tip.
Bob