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Twisted kite, how to fix?

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Created by dorothyinste > 9 months ago, 13 Nov 2012
dorothyinste
QLD, 481 posts
13 Nov 2012 6:24AM
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Ok through the process of elimination, it appears my kite must be twisted. Cannot see it visibly though.
Have meticulously measured all bridle lines, kite lines front and back. All are symmetrical and even length. So can only assume the uneven bar pressure (quick steer on one side slow steer opposite side) is due to a twisted leading edge bladder,
as was suggested.
Does the bladder have to be taken out and put back in again to remove the twist?
Is there an easier way?

stuntnaz
NSW, 540 posts
13 Nov 2012 5:51PM
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If it's a twisted bladder you should be able to see it when the kite is inflated look over the leading edge to find it then deflate the kite open the leading edge tail of the end which has the twist and leave it hanging out go to the center of the kite and start shaking the leading edge fairly hard work your way down to the tail shaking the crap out of the leading edge about 300mm at a time to you get to the tail put the bladder back in the tail cover re inflate the kite should be good to go if not keep repeating this process you will get it .

dave......
WA, 2119 posts
13 Nov 2012 3:11PM
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What kind of kite, if it is a 1 pump it is very unlikely to be twisted. Good luck whatever it is

stuntnaz
NSW, 540 posts
13 Nov 2012 6:42PM
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If your kite has pulleys in the bridal try putting new ones on . One of my old kites started turning funny found out one of the pulleys was worn out put some new ones on made a big difference .

GalahOnTheBay
NSW, 4188 posts
13 Nov 2012 7:14PM
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Ah - the mysterious turning kite...

I'm assuming your kite is not brand new, because if it is back to the retailer!

Check your bridles are all the same length, flying lines stretch out evenly, and pulleys run freely.

If it's not the above then it may be the bladder, but you should be able to see the kite sitting unevenly when you pump it up.

It is pretty unusual to get a bladder twist without having taken the bladder out (for example to repair something).

Last check is stretched fabric, but the kite will usually be very used and abused to have that problem.

dorothyinste
QLD, 481 posts
13 Nov 2012 6:19PM
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dave...... said...
What kind of kite, if it is a 1 pump it is very unlikely to be twisted. Good luck whatever it is


That was my thoughts as well. It is a North one pump. I imagine the strut connections keep the bladder from twisting within the leading edge.
Checked bladder again today...carefully massaged the full length of the deflated leading edge, making sure the bladder was not sticking any where. Pumped up three times, violent shaking, all to no avail.

dorothyinste
QLD, 481 posts
13 Nov 2012 6:21PM
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stuntnaz said...
If your kite has pulleys in the bridal try putting new ones on . One of my old kites started turning funny found out one of the pulleys was worn out put some new ones on made a big difference .


Yes it has pulleys, the solid plastic kind with no moving parts.

nvs180
QLD, 66 posts
13 Nov 2012 6:37PM
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dorothyinste said...
stuntnaz said...
If your kite has pulleys in the bridal try putting new ones on . One of my old kites started turning funny found out one of the pulleys was worn out put some new ones on made a big difference .


Yes it has pulleys, the solid plastic kind with no moving parts.


Is this you ?




On a more serious note have you checked the line that moves through the pulley? Sometimes you will get a flat spot where the pulley normally sits when the kite is parked while your moving. The pulley could be getting stuck on that flat spot on one bridle and moving freely on the other side, could explain the difference?

suniboy21
VIC, 1090 posts
13 Nov 2012 7:53PM
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Have you tried connecting steering lines to oposite sides? ie red to white?
Try someone elses bar and lines

dorothyinste
QLD, 481 posts
13 Nov 2012 7:59PM
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suniboy21 said...
Have you tried connecting steering lines to oposite sides? ie red to white?
Try someone elses bar and lines


Good idea! Will try that tomorrow. Then i can know for sure if it is the kite or the bar/lines.

dave......
WA, 2119 posts
13 Nov 2012 6:29PM
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Does that mean you havent checked your line lengths. I bet you its a front that is not quite right.

dorothyinste
QLD, 481 posts
13 Nov 2012 8:59PM
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dave...... said...
Does that mean you havent checked your line lengths. I bet you its a front that is not quite right.


Well i was 99% certain the line lengths were all the same. I hooked all five lines to a fixed point and checked each one against the other. I could see no difference in length. Therefore i saw no need to swap the lines. But i will try it tomorrow, then i can know 100% if it is the lines or the kite.

Lambie
QLD, 742 posts
13 Nov 2012 9:28PM
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Geeze you are one tolerant character ! after all of the Q's you have been asking and still not biting on some of the interesting answers !! thumbs up buddy!!
I still have no idea what is causing your problem (other than its a north kite) so I'm watching to see what is the best solution to your problem.

Galah said to do as you have already done - Next ??

Stuntnaz has a point - you should be able to 'see' a leading edge bladder twist - may be not??

Ok so this is nuts but what does North (your local distributor) have to say about your dilema ??.

It shouldnt be too hard to pull out your leading edge bladder and then slide it back in - but I have to say thats a job I'd prefer to avoid - if it anit broken why try to fix it! ha ha

Andrash
WA, 637 posts
13 Nov 2012 10:59PM
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I had two or three kites like that way back at least 8 years ago. As they were new, I could take them back to the retailer after a "credible" guy double checked everything.... and found nothing wrong with the lines etc., so it was a manufacturing fault...
Some explanations:
Oder kites canopy may stretch differently on the two sides.
There is a manufacturing error (stiching, cutting etc). It doesn't have to be visible to be significant.
The leading edge itself (not the bladder) may be just a bit twisted... again, you wont see it only feel it when flying the kite.

So, if it is an old kite, or newer but had its time, retire it. If it is a new kite, take it back to the retailer.

DaylightDebt
WA, 296 posts
14 Nov 2012 12:52AM
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try inflating the kite fully,

place it on a flat even surface and look at it from behind.

check to make sure the kite is symmetrical, look for signs, like one wing tip may not be touching the ground or pointing outwards more than the other.
It has been known for segments of kites to be stitched together incorrectly.

hopefully all is good.

SaveTheWhales
WA, 1913 posts
14 Nov 2012 8:38AM
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When checking your bar line lengths - did you check it "under tension" ???

Not just side by side etc - you will miss a soft/faulty line if that is the cause.. ?

dorothyinste
QLD, 481 posts
14 Nov 2012 7:35PM
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Its all good folks. I reversed the bar today and the problem disappeared.
So one of my bar lines has stretched an infinitesimal amount, barely noticeable at the bar. More noticeable in flight while steering. Easy fix...buy new lines.
Thanks to all those who gave constructive advice.

sir ROWDY
WA, 5378 posts
14 Nov 2012 5:47PM
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dorothyinste said...
Easy fix...buy new lines.


That would be the silliest thing ever to do. I'm sure your local shop would love you though ;).

All you need to do is tie all your lines to something solid and stretch out the shorter corresponding line (back or front) to the same length. It is very easy to do and doesn't require much effort.

Lines stretch at different rates all the time, I often have to check my line lengths and adjust accordingly. SS lines seem to stretch a lot more than the Ozone ones I use now however.

dorothyinste
QLD, 481 posts
14 Nov 2012 7:54PM
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sir ROWDY said...
dorothyinste said...
Easy fix...buy new lines.


That would be the silliest thing ever to do. I'm sure your local shop would love you though ;).

All you need to do is tie all your lines to something solid and stretch out the shorter corresponding line (back or front) to the same length. It is very easy to do and doesn't require much effort.

Lines stretch at different rates all the time, I often have to check my line lengths and adjust accordingly. SS lines seem to stretch a lot more than the Ozone ones I use now however.


Can you explain what you use or do to stretch the lines to equal length please.

dave......
WA, 2119 posts
14 Nov 2012 6:11PM
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Ues a shackle and attach the loops on the end of your lines, attach to something solid. Power up the bar with the trim line and the bar should be at the chicken loop. PULL hard. North lines around 320 coins

ewan kite
VIC, 928 posts
14 Nov 2012 9:44PM
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i know alot of people have had issues with their kites turning one way, and its the stitching coming loose or the different coloured fabrics reacting to the sun differently. With the new vegas heaps of people have had this issue with kites pulling one way, i know someone who has been thru 5 12m vegas 2013's already coz they keep pulling one way.....


maybe check all of you stitching to see if its all holding up well, if its your lines its an easy fix, just tie them up, but its most likely the kite if u cant seem to fix it, which in most cases makes it unfixable

Paul1
QLD, 1011 posts
14 Nov 2012 8:47PM
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North's with problems...who would have thought....????

SaveTheWhales
WA, 1913 posts
15 Nov 2012 12:22AM
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Hey dorothy

Good to hear youve figured it ... eventually

Now for your next lesson

when you fit the new lines... you Must check them under full bodyweight Tension. If not sure then get someone to show you..

Never take for granted that anything on kites n bars from a mass production factory is set properly - check over everything before and after your first session !

The bar n lines should always be your first checkpoint... and rechecked every few months

suniboy21
VIC, 1090 posts
15 Nov 2012 6:50AM
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Why dont you just ride with your lines back to front? If you keep stretching them lines its going to have an effect on the amount you can/cant trim your kite.
If kite fabric has stetched like Ewan said then line replacement might only be a short term fix.

Trade it in for a BWS!



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"Twisted kite, how to fix?" started by dorothyinste