Addiction Mod

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[rickks]

Addiction Mods
I think there some post's on the old forum with details about making modifications (mostly frame changes) to the Premier Addiction, I was wondering if anyone still has that information or knows where to find it.
Thanks, Rick

[browndude3649]

direct link removed ~ Google Harbor Wind Kite Company - check under HP Kitecrafters - Kite Modifications


Havent done it myself, but if you do, lemme know how it comes out!

[rickks]

Hey browndude364,
Thanks for your input, I have seen the Harbor Wind mod thing, they are not really saying how to mod the kite,but they will do it for you.
I think  that the "what to do" was posted  on the old GWTW forum.

Hadge (GWTW forum) talks about his modded Addicton:

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.

audiorob (Kitelife Forum) said in part:

First thing that was important was to add a thick dacron "bandaid" over the nose. This was for 2 reasons, it desperately needed to be reinforced, and the slight addition of weight helped balance the kite a surprising amount.

Then I replaced the spine with .1960 pultruded graphite. Tried nearly everything under the sun and this gave the best results.

You know that weird lower spreader on the addiction? Well I dont know about you but the spine moved side to side to side constantly.Throwing the kite completely off balance. So, simply replace that single long 5mm rod with .1960 pultruded graphite and a standard 0.196 center-t. I made mine aprox 1" longer (that's 0.5" on each side) than the default to tension the sail slightly more.

The upper spread I tried, once again, just about everything. And the default 5mm worked best.

Now changing the bridle is up to you, I adjusted the connection points above the connectors. Also the adjustment portion (not sure of the correct word) of the brdiel constantly slipped so I added 3 knots to keep adjustments. The second most extreme setting gave sharp, accurate turns for me. If you take a look at it, im sure you can figure out what Im talking about.

So maybe it's just change out the center-t and a few rods.

[Hadge]

These are the sites you need,

http://kitelife.com/forum/topic/621-addiction-mods-ive-done/page__p__4332__hl__%2Bpremier+%2Baddiction__fromsearch__1#entry4332

http://kitelife.com/forum/index.php?/topic/563-how-to/page_hl_premier addiction_...

I've done these mods to my Addiction and it's a much nicer kite.


Harbour wind Kite do a Stage 1 and Stage 2 upgrade at $30 each. Someone else on the forum (Mike W?) has just had these done and says they made a big difference but made it a bit twitchy.

[NormP]

Rick,

   Username (Fast EDDY) here on the forum is the guy that mods the Addiction at HWK in Ventura, Ca. (I'm pretty sure)
   I have done a P-90 Leading Edge modification to mine. This modification and .196 was being done a lot on the old forum. I have lots of information that I saved from the old forum on the modifications that were being done to the Addiction. If you want them, just let me know. Norm

[rickks]

 Thanks Hadge, I had seen the audiorob post (frame changes) but not the MADKITER post (bridle changes) there is enough information there (between the two Kitelife posts) to get started on modding the Addiction...for certain.
 Any additional Addiction information anyone may have would also be welcome.
Thanks, Rick

[rickks]

Hey Norm,
Well I'm gonna do some changes to the Addiction (hopefully the correct ones)
so all he mods and how they affected the Addiction are welcome.
Did you get a chance to fly the Emotion? I am interested in knowing,if you think the mods helped or...not ...or whatever.
I will send you email and ask for the Addiction mods you have from the old forum. 
Thanks,Rick

[NormP]

I have e-mailed you a gaboooon of mod info for the Addiction.

[rickks]

Hi Norm,
  Wow, If ever there was a understatement...

I have e-mailed you a gaboooon of mod info for the Addiction.

this is it.
You could title your e-mail "Every thing you ever wanted to know about the Addiction but were afraid to ask" 
 If I think of anything...
Thanks Norm
Rick

[NormP]

Hi Norm,
  Wow, If ever there was a understatement...

I have e-mailed you a gaboooon of mod info for the Addiction.

this is it.
You could title your e-mail "Every thing you ever wanted to know about the Addiction but were afraid to ask" 
 If I think of anything...
Thanks Norm
Rick

Now that's funny, but I will have to agree, it was a lot of info. 

[NormP]

direct link removed ~ Google Harbor Wind Kite Company - check under HP Kitecrafters - Kite Modifications


Havent done it myself, but if you do, lemme know how it comes out!

You have just been Gaboooned!!    have fun

[MikeW]

I had the Mods 1 & 2 done by Harbor Wind and Kite and the "twitchyness" I described to Hadge that I first experienced in low winds, say 2-4 mph, was tuned out by Ed of HWK, a very friendly and helpful guy who gave me his cell phone number to call him when I was out flying if I had questions about tuning.

I am not sure which mod does which but what was done to my Addiction were all subtle changes that improved the 'precision' of the kite. I am a novice with under 20 hours flying so all I can comment on is how much better I could control the kite and how much more precise the turns were when modded.

The "problem" I described as "twitchy" was tuned out by using the shortest of the 3 upper spreaders to reduce the tension in the leading edge. From the shortest to the longest of the spreaders the difference is only 1/4" (i.e 1/8" diff. between each) - I presume one 1/8" shorter and one 1/8" longer then stock. This change was combined with setting the upper bridle attachment point closer to the leading edge (using the provided trimmer - 3 sets in the mods).

Just fyi... the other mods include 'lowering' all the bridal attachment points, trimming the outer standoffs (I presume to shape the trailing edge of the sail) and to change the way the tension is applied to the trailing edge of the sail to remove flutter.

All things considered, the mods are kind of pricy - not for what you get but that with the cost of the original kite you're in for over $130. You can buy alot of nice kites for that much.

[NormP]

Just fyi... the other mods include 'lowering' all the bridal attachment points, trimming the outer standoffs (I presume to shape the trailing edge of the sail) and to change the way the tension is applied to the trailing edge of the sail to remove flutter.

All things considered, the mods are kind of pricy - not for what you get but that with the cost of the original kite you're in for over $130. You can buy alot of nice kites for that much.

Mike.....thanks for your post it will be very useful. I mostly agree with the mods are kind of pricy. For another $30.00 you could buy a full sized Premier Widow and would be much better off.

[normofthenorth]

What is there about people named Norm that attracts them to the Addiction, and to modifying it?

I contacted Jon Trennepohl (Addiction designer or co-designer) and bought a frame-mod kit from his (and his wife's) kite store, maybe ~7 yrs ago. It was a nice kit, seemed to make the kite lighter and stiffer. Unfortunately, I got some other kites at the same time (and I race sailboats fanatically all summer, too!), so I never have put much mileage on the mod'd Addiction.

If somebody wants a mod'd Addiction (preferably near Toronto, ON), make me an offer!

[NormP]

What is there about people named Norm that attracts them to the Addiction, and to modifying it?

I think it was something about their elevators. 

I contacted Jon Trennepohl (Addiction designer or co-designer) and bought a frame-mod kit from his (and his wife's) kite store, maybe ~7 yrs ago. It was a nice kit, seemed to make the kite lighter and stiffer.

Yes, and here is the kit:
Yes, we do the kit and you can order from us if you would like.  The frame
consists of P90 leading edges, ferrules, 4 tapa connectors, end nocks, vinyl
end caps, 1800 spine and top spreader.  I also give you instructions for the
kit.

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