Kite Mods We've Made

[Welcome to the GWTW Forum]

Welcome to the GWTW Forum.
Guests (non-registered users) can view the forum but are unable to post.  If you don't have anything to say then why would you bother to register?
One of the most popular sections of the GWTW Forum has long been the Swap Meet.  A great place to sell old, seldom flown kites or to get great deals on used (gently flown) kites.  Only registered users can see the Swap Meet section, let alone wheel and deal.  1000's (literally) of kites have changed hands thanks to the Swap Meet.
There are several more benefits to being a registered user, but you'll have to join our little community to find out all the "secrets".
Questions or concerns?  forum.gwtwkites@gmail.com

[chilese]

My thanks to fidelio for this one.

I have 2 Wrens and 2 Indauras. There are 6 places where a very small vinyl end cap is used as a connector:
2 upper spreader battens
2 lower spreader standoff connectors
2 standoff/batten connectors

Invariably, these parts distort quickly or become disengaged due to their short length. For a small weight penalty (a few grams), I replaced these 6 end caps with Micron LE connectors:

http://www.chicokites.com/store/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=209

The kite is now quite sturdy and the parts stay where they should. I have only ruggedized the chicken Indaura so far, but will do the rest soon.

Done any mods?

[stapp59]

Have done a few things in the interest of adding adjustable features.  Not all kites will benefit from these:

- Added Paul Shirey's (Aerostar) shapshifter standoffs to adjust the trailing edge profile. There needs to be two (at least) standoffs per side spaced approx 4" or wider apart.

- Added multiple standoff holes to the trailing edge to adjust the tunnel width and location.

- Added knotted leaders to the bridle uphaul to adjust the angle of attack.

- Added variable vents to increase wind range.

- Have sewn and added windscreens in various configurations.

Misc mods:

- Reframed ULs to be lighter (2PTs), standards to be stiffer (P2X or Nitro LEs), venteds to have more mass (7PT spreaders).

- Almost always add Dorsal caps to the nocks for protection.

- Tied a 300# bridle for a Mamba three stack 

- Have tied new bridles to experiment.  Now know many ways to make a kite fly badly 

Thanks for asking...

[chilese]

Dorsal caps should be mandatory.

Nocks were made to break or get really dirty fast.

[Texanpilot]

Dorsal caps should be mandatory.

Nocks were made to break or get really dirty fast.

Hmmmmm.  The one or two times I've tried them, I lost them in 5 minutes.  Somewhat mucky soil where I fly really likes to steal them.

Anyways, mods I've made:

1.  Adding standoffs to my old Skynasaur F-36.   It did help quite a bit for turbulent wind, but the standoffs themselves (small dia. fiberglass) started splintering where they flexed.  If they were straight from the spreader to the sail, they wouldn't stay in the sail pockets I added.   Overall, I'd call this an "educational failure."

2.  Adding BMK Mantis-style lower spines to about 5 kites to add BMK-style weights.

3.  Adding plasti-dip to almost all of my kite noses (although I wouldn't really call this a true modification).

[tpatter]

Gaffers tape - where ever it wears.

[Beachbum]

Bridles,

bridles,

bridles,

and more bridles.

...and sometimes framing, so I can test bridles.

[inewham]

Lots but particular favourites were:
Reframing a Midi98 in Super Skinnies. Sweet kite 
Adding bits of line to distort the sail into weird shapes and getting it to glide
Adding camber with weird results
Hours spent bridling, I love bridles.

If I spend too much time fiddling I end up with a lot of kites that fly the same so I try to enjoy them the way the designer intended. Vive la difference!

[rxburner]

I color code my lower spreaders with a wrap of colored electrical tape at the fat end.

5PT = Green
3PT = Red
2PT = Blue

I have retied my bridles to include a piece of plastic tube where they rub on the Lower Spreader (Like the Soul)

I add insignia tape to high wear spots like the spine under the upper spreader and the trailing edge between the stand-offs.
Rx

[Hadge]

Mostly messing around with bridles but I have a seriously modded Premier Addiction - partial reframe, 2 piece lower spreader and bridle mods - Takes most of the squirrel out of it and makes it a very nice little kite. Also I've just about finished modding the new HQ Jive 2 so the darn thing flies properly!  Frame mods, extra stand-offs and redesigned bridle.

Our forum is made possible by the good folks whose ads appear in the right margin of the forum and by the members of our community (PayPal donation button at bottom of the page)
In case you missed it each ad is linked to the sponsors web site.  So please, take a moment and visit our sponsors sites as this forum wouldn't be possible with out them. >>>
Interested in running an ad for your business or kiting event?  Contact Steve at advertise.gwtwkites@gmail.com for a quote.