Power Kite Forum

My bridal line is frayed - looks bad

p8ntballsk8r - 4-2-2010 at 02:13 PM

Tell me what I can do or should do about this. I'm hoping replacing it isn't the only option. I was thinking duct tape because it looks like maybe just the protective coating is off. I'm not really sure but I'm worried if I fly the kite again it could break mid flight.

I've attached some pictures, if it matters, I'm flying an Ozone Frenzy 12m from 2005. The bridal in question attaches to 3 different bridals that go straight to the kite. They attach Near the top of the kite (probably 12-18 inches below the foil openings) in between the center and the left side of the kite.

bridal frey 2.JPG - 141kB

p8ntballsk8r - 4-2-2010 at 02:13 PM

here's another view

Maven454 - 4-2-2010 at 03:03 PM

I'd recommend replacing it. I know you can buy replacement bridle sets for the Frenzy.

WELDNGOD - 4-2-2010 at 03:14 PM

ditto, I doubt there is anything else you can do, but replace it.
How did that happen?

indigo_wolf - 4-2-2010 at 03:28 PM

They list the bridle replacement for the various sizes for the Manta on the OzShop. Granted it is for the currently model year, but I expect that between your local Ozone dealer,WindzUp, and Ozone they should be able to get your sorted even for a 2005 Manta.

Turn around time might be in question given the recent supply line problems Ozone has been experiencing. Still... better to get it fixed correctly than find out that duct tape wasn't the way to go with nn feet between you and terra firma.

ATB,
Sam

Maven454 - 4-2-2010 at 03:40 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by indigo_wolf
They list the bridle replacement for the various sizes for the Manta on the OzShop. Granted it is for the currently model year, but I expect that between your local Ozone dealer,WindzUp, and Ozone they should be able to get your sorted even for a 2005 Manta.

ATB,
Sam


Wake up wolf, he said it was a Frenzy :D. Go get some coffee, you're normally better than that.

indigo_wolf - 4-2-2010 at 03:49 PM

Oi....

<* Shuffles off in shame to find a large percolator to soak his head in ... hollow hair follicles make for better osmosis *>

:sniff: :sniff: :sniff: :sniff:

Thus ends a week of lost keys and locked doors.

ATB,
Sam

P.S. OzShop does the the bridles for the various Frenzy sizes.... Fribble.... no redemption. Perhaps if I find a can of tuna fish and sprinkle liberally, the cat will put me out of my misery in the wee hours of the night. Good bye cruel world. :no:

Maven454 - 4-2-2010 at 03:54 PM

:lol:

Anyway p8ntballsk8r, I doubt you're going to find anyone who will recommend something other than replacement.

Scudley - 4-2-2010 at 04:02 PM

I have replaced individual pieces of bridal. I have used Q-Power as the replacement material. I usually do the mirror piece as well so the kite remains balanced. Loops are easy to hand sew.
S

PHREERIDER - 4-2-2010 at 04:40 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Scudley
I have replaced individual pieces of bridal. I have used Q-Power as the replacement material. I usually do the mirror piece as well so the kite remains balanced. Loops are easy to hand sew.
S


that's how to do it ! love it, only way to go.

if it's a high abrasion points use i use dacron esp. around pulleys and things

p8ntballsk8r - 4-2-2010 at 10:38 PM

Only thing I can think of is the kite overflying and stalling, then catching wind right in the powerzone and putting a big load on that bridal individually, otherwise I don't really know.

I'll be replacing it, I'm a bit bummed since the wind is supposed to be pretty good this weekend and it looks like I'll be grounded. I believe we have an ozone dealer in town, but they have next to nothing in stock so we'll see. I think I might as well replace the one just below it also. If you look, you can see a kink and it looks like the start of the same problem.

If I buy them from Ozone directly, about how much would it cost for two individual pieces and how long would I be looking at before they were shipped to me?
Hopefully the local shop will be able to take care of it because I'm new to the kiting scene and would rather have someone who knows what they are doing replace it

Krohn1999 - 5-2-2010 at 04:13 AM

If you have a goog shop close by they should be able to make you new lines. If you need to order it from Ozone you will have to more than likely buy a complete bridal, for sure you will have to wait awhile though. Ozone Production has stopped for the TET holiday. They won't be working again untill the 18th.

powerzone - 5-2-2010 at 02:34 PM

if you need, i can make you one, just measure the length from the opposite side and let me know the lineweight and details. bridles average $3-$5 and are mailed next day USPS.

B-Roc - 5-2-2010 at 03:29 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Scudley
I have replaced individual pieces of bridal. I have used Q-Power as the replacement material. Loops are easy to hand sew.
S


Out of curiosity, how do you hand stitch it? I've never had to and don't own a sewing machine so I'm curious as to the thread one may use and the sewing pattern - I'd see myself doing this more to prevent having to tie off resleeved kite lines.

indigo_wolf - 5-2-2010 at 03:45 PM

I thought I had posted this here before, but apparently senility is creeping up on me faster than I thought (and on stealthy paws :o ).

Bridle Line Sewing Tool

ATB,
Sam

Scudley - 5-2-2010 at 03:51 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by p8ntballsk8r
Only thing I can think of is the kite overflying and stalling, then catching wind right in the powerzone and putting a big load on that bridal individually, otherwise I don't really know.


I would not worry about the QPower as it is way stronger than most bridle materials. The real problem is making sure that your replacement is the right length. Too short and your scenario might cause you kite to come apart.
The repair is not rocket science. Just use the mirror bridle piece to get the length. If the kite is well used, the bridle will have stretched so the factory spec length will be a bit short. A good kite surfing shop should have bulk qpower in stock. The repair should not take more than a couple of hours. You could be kiting this weekend.
for a temporary fix you can even tie the loops using a figure of 8 knot.
S

flyboy15 - 5-2-2010 at 07:46 PM

Thanks for the help everyone, paintball is one of our kiters in the club, and I've been doing the mental chew on this problem for the last few days.

I love this bank of advice haha.

Rock on kiters, rock on

WELDNGOD - 5-2-2010 at 08:09 PM

Thanks Sam, that is a sweet little gizmo there.

tridude - 5-2-2010 at 09:08 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by powerzone
if you need, i can make you one, just measure the length from the opposite side and let me know the lineweight and details. bridles average $3-$5 and are mailed next day USPS.


Leave that to a pro and ping PZ for the fix.....................he does awesome line/bridal replacements.................the 20cm front and rear line leaders he made for our Pulses' are made/look better than the FSer originals................

p8ntballsk8r - 6-2-2010 at 03:17 PM

I'm attempting to measure the length of the same bridals on the opposite end of the kite and have a few questions. The lengths from knot to knot are 53 and 54 respectively, however it looks like the line itself is longer than that, made into a loop, then stitched back to the original line. With that loop a square knot or something similar is tied to connect it to either the kite, or the lines.

If that is too complicated to recreate on my own, I was thinking about tying a figure 8 knot with slightly longer line to create this loop so that I can fix it to the kite and to the lines. I'm a pretty experienced rock climber, so I can tie all the necessary knots and insure they are the correct length, however I'm worried that tying knots in such thin line will severely weaken the line and cause it to wear very fast.

thoughts?

Scudley - 7-2-2010 at 07:19 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by B-Roc
Out of curiosity, how do you hand stitch it? I've never had to and don't own a sewing machine so I'm curious as to the thread one may use and the sewing pattern - I'd see myself doing this more to prevent having to tie off resleeved kite lines.


If it is hollow core line and you are sewing you do not need to sleeve. I just use a through the core eye splice. I use whatever polyester thread the GF has on hand. Sewing pattern? Three inches of stitches space between 1/16" and 1/8" apart seems to work for me.
Cored lines are harder, you have to do zigzag.
S