Xpogo.com

Fix It Time With Matt!

Matt's complete guide to fixing a SBI GG stick
Start from the top, or follow these quick links to help you repair your ride.
Intro, Tools, Intro, Cotter Pin, Ring and Stopper, Pegs and Passes, Shaft, Frame, Ending,

So, you finally broke your pogo stick, eh? That sucks, but there is hope my bouncing buddies. I’ll go through and show you a couple different ways to fix different problems.
Incidentally, spare pogo parts are always good. It is very useful to own more than one stick, and I know for most of you extreme hoppers out there, that’s no problem. But don’t forget about the order sheet you got in your box and the SBI web site.

Listen up, NEVER THROW AWAY A POGO STICK, EVEN IF YOU BROKE IT!!!! Maybe you didn’t catch that, but I can’t stress enough, NEVER THROW AWAY A POGO STICK, EVEN IF YOU BROKE IT!!! Because, there will come a point down the line where you will probably need some parts.

Tools:

First, let’s get some tools and accessories that you’ll probably find come in real handy. You’ll find that a set of alan wrenches, pliers, a hammer, duct tape, a screwdriver, and nuts and bolts are pretty essential in reviving the life of your pogo stick.

Cotter Pin:

A problem often encountered is a broken cotter pin (the thing under the washers that hold the spring tight). The cotter pin, in all honesty, is a major pain in the ass. Best thing to do, is when it starts falling apart, get rid of it. It’s a very simple process, there should be a part of the pin that is bent, to keep it on, just get some pliers and a screwdriver and straighten it out. Then, pull it out.

Your best bet is to replace the pin with a nut and bolt, but make sure the bolt isn’t too long, because when you bounce, it will affect direction every so often. But the nut and bolt will definitely hold stronger than that pesky cotter pin.

Stopper and Ring Problems:

Another problem often encountered is that you lose the metal ring at the bottom of your shaft. There are a couple ways you could fix this.

Don’t care about fixing it (not recommended).
Weld it back on (which is fine for those with welding tools in their workshops, but some of us are pretty limited)
Put a tennis ball at the bottom and duct tape the hell out of it.
Put the bottom of a crutch at the bottom and duct tape the hell out of it. The easiest, most effective ones are the last two. It’s pretty self explanatory, just put it on the bottom and duct tape the hell out of it. A huge tip is that you reinforce the bottoms with metal washers, because they can wear out pretty fast. So be careful.

Broken pegs and Upper passes:

Well, in case you were wondering what the upper pass (Thanks for the name, Dave) is, it’s the red thing at the top of the shaft. I’ve broken both the pegs and the pass a couple times. They aren’t fixable unless you have those spare parts I was telling you to save.

This is where an alan wrench comes in real handy. You’ll want to unscrew all the bolts on the pegs and on the upper pass and the pogo stick should just slide apart. Remember to keep your bolts together and keep in mind how you took it apart, because when putting it back together you miss a step, it’s a major pain to take it apart and do it all over again.

This part also takes some strength and elbow grease to fight the spring’s resistance to get the bolts back in.You might also have to use a hammer to get it back on, pending on how mangled you made the pegs from all your hardcore stalls.

Straightening your Shaft:

After awhile, chances are your shaft will get all bent up and it will be harder for you to pogo smoothly. The quick solution is to try to contact the SBI place and see if they can give you an extra shaft. However, it’s not something they offer on the site. So, in the mean time, here is a little trick to help you straighten it out. Place the shaft on a level surface and let it roll. Mark where it stays. Then go to the opposite side and mark it again, this is where you will hammer the crap out of it. A mark is always good to have as a guide.
Watch out for your hands, by the way.

Frame Work:

Sometimes the frame breaks or comes really loose. You can try to fix it by duct taping the crap out of it, although, it still won’t last that long. But hey, my motto is “If you can’t duct it, f*** it.” To take some precautions on keeping your frame alive for awhile, tightly duct tape where the two metal frame parts join below the handlebars. Then make sure your upper pass holds it firm. If the sides start breaking, and you’re one of those people with the welding parts, try welding a long piece of metal over it so it’ll stay alive longer.

And note the duct taped handlebar grips. This is definitely a nice mod to put on. The grip is great with it like that. Besides, its tough getting on the foam handlebars you are supplied with. So, just cut them down the middle (Not in half!) and put duct tape over them for a good, firm grip.

(*Note: pardon my awkward smile, I’m usually much more attractive looking and this is just a bad photo, heh heh…)

Well, you’ve now effectively rebuilt your stick and fixed its problems. Good work. Kudos. It probably won’t be the last time you’ll have to fix it.

Well, after a hard day of work, it’s nap time.

Good night folks.

(*Note: Thanks to Dave for all your consulting help and all the other x-pogoers who I got some of these tips from (to give my self some credit, a lot are mine.))