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lyle today: and bar/lines set up question

 
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kyle.vh

Since 11 Jul 2007
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PostSat Mar 08, 08 8:47 pm    lyle today: and bar/lines set up question Reply with quote

I went to Lyle today and my wife snapped this pic of me on my new '07 11m.
It was my first time on a bow kite, or any kite newer than '03. Very cool. The light bar pressure was strange at first, but I really liked how it absorbed gusts.
One thing that was awkward is that it seems like a far reach to grab the depower/power straps. I'm five nine with normal reach, and the power strap especially is unreachable. Does anyone know what gives, or how to fix this?
thanks for any advice.
I'm hoping to get out tomorrow too.


kyle at lyle
 kyle at lyle  kyle at lyle.jpg 

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boardrider

Since 05 Apr 2006
1034 Posts
Ventura, CA
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PostSat Mar 08, 08 9:29 pm     Reply with quote

Hey Dude - Met you the other day @ RR. Good to see you got out. Everyone has problems with the depower except those w/ freakishly long arms. You can shorten the chicken loop to make the depower stap a closer reach OR do one of various modifications to make depower easier. - Chris

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kyle.vh

Since 11 Jul 2007
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PostSat Mar 08, 08 10:08 pm     Reply with quote

Yeah, it was good to meet you, man. I ended up trying different knots on the rear line, and the kite performed much better for me.
Good to know i'm not the only one having a hard time reaching...

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shredjim

Since 07 Jun 2006
188 Posts

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PostSun Mar 09, 08 11:15 pm     Reply with quote

Kyle - With the long throw (lots of de-power) power lines today lots of people (especially smaller women) need to shorten their power lines to be able to reach the power line adjuster. You end up loosing some de-power in the process, but just pull a little on the power line adjuster and you get the same effect. If you want to know how to shorten your power line, either ask about it here or PM me. Many of the people on this forum are real knowledgeable on these kind of mods. Also, there is a great place to work on bars/lines at the HR sandspit smooth gravel area just before the walkway down to the sand. There is a wooden dowel line holder that one of the kiteschool owners Carlos built a few years ago that makes line modifications WAY easier. The dowel line holder is located a few feet west of the area that the red building for Gorge kiteschool is located during the summer - next to the row of little green trees. Works like a champ for line mods!!! The biggest thing you need to know is you will need to shorten your back lines the same length as you shorten your power line. Leave the front lines alone.
Last edited by shredjim on Mon Mar 10, 08 9:08 am; edited 1 time in total

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kitezilla

Since 22 Jun 2006
453 Posts
gorge
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PostMon Mar 10, 08 6:46 am     Reply with quote

shredjim wrote:
Kyle - With the long throw (lots of de-power) chicken loops today lots of people (especially smaller women) need to shorten their chicken loops to be able to reach the de-power strap. You end up loosing some de-power in the process, but just pull a little on the de-power strap and you get the same effect. If you want to know how to shorten your chicken loop, either ask about it here or PM me. Many of the people on this forum are real knowledgeable on these kind of mods. Also, there is a great place to work on bars/lines at the HR sandspit smooth gravel area just before the walkway down to the sand. There is a wooden dowel line holder that one of the kiteschool owners Carlos built a few years ago that makes line modifications WAY easier. The dowel line holder is located a few feet west of the area that the red building for Gorge kiteschool is located during the summer - next to the row of little green trees. Works like a champ for line mods!!! The biggest thing you need to know is you will need to shorten your back lines the same length as you shorten your chicken loop. Leave the front lines alone.


Jim,

Are you referring to the "power line" as the "chicken loop"?

I would think that if the chicken loop itself is shortened, and not the power line ( which runs from the chicken loop to the power line adjuster), then, the back lines should not be shortened. However, if the power line itself is shortened, then the back lines should be shortened the same amount.

I have found that a good way to shorten the distance that a short armed person must reach out when using a Waroo, is to replace the whole chicken loop assembly with a inch and a half welded steel ring. This must be used in conjunction with a SS Surefire Spreader bar to make up for the loss of the safety release on the stock chicken loop assembly. This arrangement brings the full range of travel (the "throw") of the bar within range of the shorter armed kiter, and does not compromise the ability to fully depower the Waroo. It also brings the power line adjuster straps closer to the kiter's body, so that he does not have to reach out so far to grab them.

The disadvantages of this arrangement are (1) Unhooked riding is very difficult. (2) Toeside riding can result in accidental chicken loop releases.

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shredjim

Since 07 Jun 2006
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PostMon Mar 10, 08 9:29 am     Reply with quote

Kitezilla,

Yes, you are correct. Thank you for pointing out my error in terminology. I have edited the post. A bunch of my friends and I have been using this incorrect terminology for a while now, time to change. It seems like you have a good mod going for Best bars/lines etc. As long as your safety system still works well.

This discussion has prompted me to think there may be some value in us hosting a "Tech" session at the sandspit when the season gets a bit more cranked up. Riders can bring their equipment down with issues they want to fix and we could have knowlegeable people on hand to assist in doing the mods right there on the fly. Anyone think this is worth pursuing?

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Mark

Since 20 Jun 2005
3678 Posts
I need my fix because I'm a
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PostMon Mar 10, 08 9:33 am     Reply with quote

Always good to talk and help make things safe. Let’s just be careful that we (cgka) don't assume liability by modifying someone’s safety system.
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Dickfircrick

Since 29 May 2007
62 Posts
Hood Rever
 



PostMon Mar 10, 08 10:47 am     Reply with quote

WHATEVER! That's a Great idea Jim!

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kyle.vh

Since 11 Jul 2007
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PostMon Mar 10, 08 11:33 am     Reply with quote

Thanks for sharing these ideas. As I get more familiar with the set up (ride more) it seems easier to reach, actually. I probably won't change anything right away, mostly because I'm lazy, but also to get used to it.

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shredjim

Since 07 Jun 2006
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PostMon Mar 10, 08 12:34 pm     Reply with quote

Mark wrote:
Always good to talk and help make things safe. Let’s just be careful that we (cgka) don't assume liability by modifying someone’s safety system.
I wasn't suggesting it to be a CGKA sponsored event. I think it is more of a local shop sponsored thing, and we could get anyone who has work done on their equipment to sign a release of liability. As an instructor I see a lot of people with equipment issues and riders asking me for guidance on equipment modificaton recommendations. It could be fun to have an organized discussion about "Tech" issues in general, no matter what brand of equipment. Let me give an example of last years most frequent question "I have a 5 line system and I just learned to do backrolls and I do a LOT of them. How do I get my 5th line to untangle without doing opposite direction rolls?. If I don't get it untangled, when I let go of the bar the safety system does not work." This is just one example! I think a lot of people would enjoy the discussion!

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Mark

Since 20 Jun 2005
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PostMon Mar 10, 08 12:43 pm     Reply with quote

I fully understand. I think its a great idea.

Just trying to keep you and cgka out of the legal ringer.

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forrest

Since 21 Jun 2005
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Hood River
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PostMon Mar 10, 08 2:22 pm     Reply with quote

I'm not scared and I'd be stoked to help out!

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