Power Kite Forum - Converting a Symphony 2.2 to quad line (Now with Flying Video)

Converting a Symphony 2.2 to quad line (Now with Flying Video)

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riffclown - 8-7-2013 at 05:18 PM

I wrote the instructions up and posted them for your use. This takes a small trainer to a whole new level. Stops on a dime and spins like there's no tomorrow..

http://www.riffclown.com/kites/HQ2.2.4Conversion.pdf

I'd appreciate feedback and/or suggestions. I'll post flying video soon.

Rob E.

Flying Demo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWP7exBR_NA

riffclown - 21-7-2013 at 03:13 AM

Maybe a pic and some video today.. Had so much fun yesterday I totally left the cameras in the car.

3shot - 21-7-2013 at 05:05 AM

Have fun at the festival! Wanted to make this one. I'll be down there for the whole week next month though. Winds were a good SW 15 mph here yesterday. No flying for me.
Truck repairs have been taking up my time the past few weeks.

WELDNGOD - 21-7-2013 at 05:12 AM

Rob, where in SE VA are you?

3shot - 21-7-2013 at 05:19 AM

He's right between me and you Donnie.

Our area is becoming quite the kite populous :evil:

So glad the fall is right around the corner :thumbup:

Looking forward to turning it up a notch :D

chris - 21-7-2013 at 05:22 AM

The 2.2 quad flies great. And the conversion instructions are well done. Bravo.

riffclown - 21-7-2013 at 03:49 PM

Great winds today. A little erratic at times but great flying in a great place to fly.
Chris, I very much appreciate your take on it. I really enjoyed watching you fly today and I very much appreciate the opportunity to spend some time with the Toxic 2.0 Great Kite and probably my next kite.

A little impromptu demo up on Youtube..Raw footage.. Included the "oops" and all. Grass was tall so it did snag the brakes occasionally. Check out the 0:59 mark

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWP7exBR_NA

elfasa - 21-7-2013 at 04:27 PM

Wow, that flies really well ! :D

riffclown - 22-7-2013 at 01:38 PM

Thanks. It's a lot of fun to fly it as well. Surprising pull for a relatively small foil..

3shot - 22-7-2013 at 07:26 PM

Nice job! :thumbup:

Niexev - 23-7-2013 at 08:58 AM

Hey all, I just wanted to give my two cents on this mod Riff has made. I too have a quad line 2.2 symphony and it’s a blast. I’ve only been flying for the last few months. I started out with a HQ symphony 1.8 and moved up to the 2.2 once I felt the pull. I flew it on 2 lines for a few weeks, but once I had him mod mine I couldn’t imagine going back. If you have the means to mod a smaller foil like this one, I highly recommend it.

3shot - 23-7-2013 at 03:38 PM

What tha .......

All these VA kiters :D We must plan a VA bash this fall??????

Guys, we must rally the masses and unite :thumbup:

riffclown - 23-7-2013 at 06:16 PM

Sounds like a good idea to me..

cheezycheese - 23-7-2013 at 06:56 PM

It almost looks like Rev type control.... I want one..

Michael Gaylan - 24-7-2013 at 05:28 AM

I gotta say, that does very well. I thought my 3.6 Ballistic stopped on a dime and gave correct change.. Heck that 2.2 stops on a nat's greasy ass.

NICE JOB with the conversion.

WELDNGOD - 24-7-2013 at 06:05 AM

Quote: Originally posted by 3shot

What tha .......

All these VA kiters :D We must plan a VA bash this fall??????

Guys, we must rally the masses and unite :thumbup:

You know we have our own section on the forum,it's called VABBB. We have already had our first bash... I need to come over to the upper peninsula and meet you guys. I remember waaayyy back when I was the lone kiter in VA. :cool:

Have I got some stuff for you guys to try..... Come on late Sept.! :smilegrin:

silvereaglekiter - 24-7-2013 at 08:30 AM

wow im out of the loop ware did all these folks come from :o :D I love it
welcome to the party

3shot - 24-7-2013 at 07:15 PM

Quote: Originally posted by WELDNGOD

Quote: Originally posted by 3shot

What tha .......

All these VA kiters :D We must plan a VA bash this fall??????

Guys, we must rally the masses and unite :thumbup:

Have I got some stuff for you guys to try..... Come on late Sept.! :smilegrin:

Yeah. The VABBB gonna be rocking this year it looks like :thumbup:

Really looking forward to trying a Soulfly or a pro Soulfly. I dig they are a Rage in disguise (so to speak) at half the price.

Um yeah come on Fall! Except I work a lot of Saturdays with side jobs in the fall/winter for extra $$$.. Guess I'll be a few $$$ short this year LOL. Off to the VABBB forum now

Niexev - 25-7-2013 at 05:23 AM

Quote:

Have I got some stuff for you guys to try..... Come on late Sept.!

We don't have to drink some sort of funny kool-aid do we?

WELDNGOD - 25-7-2013 at 05:22 PM

Not unless ya' want to.... :lol:

riffclown - 9-8-2013 at 05:39 PM

I think I got some of the red Kool-aid today. At least the Crossfire is Red..

soliver - 9-8-2013 at 06:09 PM

I have a 2.1m symphony beach, this mod looks do-able.

Do you know if your bridle lengths are applicable to this model of symphony?

riffclown - 9-8-2013 at 07:06 PM

The lengths are pretty close. but a bit of trial and error will be needed to tune them. I would suggest the looping from page two to allow easy tuning. That way the only actual length you'd have to adjust would be the length of the main brake bridle (orange on my kite)

I have a friend with a Symphony Beach 2.1 (one of my original kites actually) that I will probably end up modifying. If you need, I'll publish those measurements but it's not too difficult to tune to your tastes when you get used to making small changes and seeing the difference they make in how the kite reacts.

riffclown - 9-8-2013 at 07:07 PM

one other suggestion is when you cut the lanyard, singe the ends so they don't unravel.

soliver - 10-8-2013 at 03:12 PM

Quote: Originally posted by riffclown

... I would suggest the looping from page two to allow easy tuning.

Sorry, but I don't follow.

riffclown - 10-8-2013 at 03:33 PM

I recommend to make the 24” and 28” as well as the 26” and 30” lines as a loop. If making individual lines add 3” to each end for backsplicing and
connection. Lengths for the loop method are one piece 58”(including backsplice) & one piece 62” ”(including backsplice).
Once back-spliced and looped, a simple square knot/larks head will suffice to attach the main brake bridle (Orange) This
also requires less splicing and allows the bridles to be tuned easier once your mods are complete.

If you make the brake bridles as loops, then you can tune them easily by just undoing the main knot and sliding them through to tune.

soliver - 10-8-2013 at 06:11 PM

Ok,... Think I got it.

SFKITER - 18-8-2013 at 12:05 AM

How does that compare to the HQ Beamer 2M? Ive flown both the 2.2 Symphony and 2M Beamer numerous times and pretty much just just decided that the Symphony flew nearly identical to the HQ Beamer. Just my thoughts though.

riffclown - 18-8-2013 at 05:13 AM

The Symphony 2.2 is a much smaller kite. Once you modify it, it's far more maneuverable.

shortlineflyer - 18-8-2013 at 05:34 AM

Ive been wanting to do the same thing with the hydra 350.

riffclown - 18-8-2013 at 07:03 AM

Should be possible.. The 350 has a lot more surface area so the materials might need to be a bit stronger. Since it's already configured with a third line, the attachment points may already lend well to the conversion though I haven't really checked out a Hydra..

LoPan12 - 8-9-2013 at 02:42 AM

Awesome! I just got this kite (great courtesy upgrade when they couldn't find the 2.1 beach I ordered), and I'm eager to try it out! I've been playing with just a 1.2m cheap job, and recently decided I wanted a nicer kite. I figured I'd try it first with 2 lines atleast a couple times.
Up until recently, I never realized the cost of lines...
Can you still fly the kite dual line if you wanted to?

But when I inevitably try this mod....I'll probably give this a shot! Thanks for posting it up!!

riffclown - 8-9-2013 at 08:46 AM

That's a great courtesy upgrade. You'll enjoy the Symphony..

ssayre - 8-9-2013 at 11:16 AM

I had similar results converting my snapshot 2.5 to quadline. Maybe not quite as nimble as the one on the video but that might be my piloting ability.

riffclown - 8-9-2013 at 06:30 PM

Was your Snapshot one of the older ones or one of the newer quadline ready ones? I had one of the newer ones and really enjoyed it. Agreed it's not as nimble but it's still very fun to fly in either 2 or 4 line mode.

SFKITER - 8-9-2013 at 10:07 PM

lol Symphony 2.2.4 hahaha nice

riffclown - 9-9-2013 at 09:58 AM

Seemed like the best way to describe it..

LoPan12 - 10-9-2013 at 09:34 AM

Quote: Originally posted by riffclown

That's a great courtesy upgrade. You'll enjoy the Symphony..

Don't I know it!
They sent me an e-mail, saying they looked all over, but couldn't find the Beach 2.1, and that the closest thing that they had was the 2.2.
"There'd be no extra charge, we'd just ship you this one instead of the 2.1 you ordered. Is this OK?"

Okay? That's awesome! :thumbup:

to Airplay Sports

As I'm new to this, and still fumbling my way through stuff....I had a question though. The bridle line that's dacron with a spectra core...can that be backspliced? Would just have to sew or tie it? I've played with splices before, and while the Spectra is braided, it's way way smaller than the Dacron surrounding it right?

riffclown - 10-9-2013 at 09:57 AM

If your selected bridle line has a hollow core, then it should be able to be backspliced. Sewing it or knotting it would be just fine as well. If knotting, you'd have to compensate a little for the amount of line lost when you tie the overhand knot.

LoPan12 - 10-9-2013 at 10:16 AM

I'll have to play with it and see if I can splice it...the engineer in me prefers splicing over knots or sewing (maybe if I use a ball point needle...) something this small and fine.
What I've actually got is some 80# and 150# sepctra, and 160# Dacron...planned to make my own bridles for a parawing I'm making, instead of paying more for smaller length of bridle lines, that I can't really use for anything but bridling...
Do you thing the Dacron alone would stretch too much for the 2.2.4's purposes? I just don't have the practical experience to make these kinds of judgements yet...thanks for the quick answers!

riffclown - 10-9-2013 at 11:00 AM

Can't speak for the dacron. I'd personally want NO stretch in a bridle line. A little stretch and the kite could just spin out of control. The 150# Spectra would be fine I'm sure. It should be able to be back-spliced as well.

LoPan12 - 10-9-2013 at 11:12 AM

Again, I don't have the exp, but yeah, it does sound like bridle length tweaks are very small in relation to the drastic difference they can make..
Yeah, I just wonder about the Spectra being unprotected as a bridle line. Also, it seems very tangle prone to me. In this case, both are less of a problem though.

riffclown - 10-9-2013 at 01:26 PM

You are right on target with tweaking the bridles. A very small adjustment can make a big difference in flight.

The higher the modulus (stiffness) of the line you use the less prone to tangling you'll have. That's why I chose the Skybond. It's fairly stiff but still very thin to reduce drag. It's also a pretty close match for the bridles on the 2.2

FWIW, the 2.1 you were upgraded from uses un-sleeved Dyneema bridles and is knotted at the attachment points.

LoPan12 - 10-9-2013 at 02:35 PM

Hmmm...interesting. Oh well, I've got the supplies, so I'm gonna see if its a royal pain to sleeve 'em with the Dacron or not. I've got guitar strings as my sleeve/splice fids...First experience with line/cord like this, so it's a learning curve! I keep looking at the flying lines and thinking "220#?! bull@#!" :D It'll probably show me what-for when I get to the beach this weekend...
Here's to hoping I don't end up as one of those 30 second youtube clips! :cool:

riffclown - 10-9-2013 at 06:49 PM

My preferred flying lines for the 2.2 Symphony are the Skybond 350# as main lines and the 220# that came with the kite as brakes. Lighter wind days I'll use the 220# as the main lines and the 150# set from my 1.8 as the brake lines.

BTW, My personal experience with the linesets that come with the Symphony and Symphony Beach kites is the line with the black sleeving will break at the knot and have to be shortened by about a foot or so the first time you really dig in and hit the power window.. It's happened with several HQ Symphony kites I've owned or worked with. 75% of the time it's the black sleeved line.

LoPan12 - 11-9-2013 at 10:58 AM

Do you ever fly it as just a dual-line? Like the snapshot 2.5m, I think they leave the brake lines trailing?

Any tips for flying it? Most of the videos of quad-line foils I find are people flying them like a dual-line that has brakes, instead of like a 4-line stunt kite. I don't see any revos or anything in your sig, so I was just wondering if you were able to learn that control on your own...

BTW, until I saw your video, I had no idea a foil could move like that!

riffclown - 11-9-2013 at 11:18 AM

When I first got my Snapshot 2.5 was when I realized that brake bridles on the Symphony would be a good thing. It's designed as a 2 line so it still has a lot of front line bias and flies like a 2 line. I personally like a lot more brake than most folks because I prefer stunt flying. I can fly it as a 2 line but after moving it to quad, I have no desire to.. Flying it 4 line makes the dual line config just "not as much fun" Keep in mind, once you add the rear lines that it seems like it pulls much more than before,(and that's a good thing in my opinion.) Don't get me wrong, i still enjoy 2 line kites (thus my avatar) but if the kite is capable of 4 lines, that's almost guaranteed what I'm going to attach to it.

I don't have a Rev but I do own a HQ Mojo.. I rarely fly it. The foil is far more forgiving on handle input than the Mojo. I tend to overfly the Mojo and my daughter actually flies that kite far better than I do. That's why that particular kite isn't in my sig. FWIW, half of my kites aren't in my sig.

riffclown - 28-9-2013 at 06:05 PM

A little new video from Va Beach 9/28/2013

LoPan12 - 31-5-2014 at 06:33 AM

Necro-bump...but I'm finally going to put aside the time to do this (and god-willing, finish my NPW), hopefully this month!

riffclown - 12-6-2014 at 03:09 PM

Since HQ has changed their pattern for the new model, I'm wondering should I pick up a few spares before they are all gone.. Not sure if the new version would react as well to the conversion..

OLD

NEW

3shot - 12-6-2014 at 03:42 PM

Cool! I like the new shape. Prolly pick one up for my oldest daughter

riffclown - 14-6-2014 at 12:22 PM

Would there be an interest in me picking up several of the 2.2's before they are all history and making them 4 line ready? My material cost would be $10-$15 plus the kite price and shipping.

I've even had one suggestion of signing and numbering the "limited riffclown 2.2.4" kites. I'm willing to do the work if there's a valid interest. just wanting to share the sheer fun of this converted kite..

3shot - 14-6-2014 at 04:00 PM

I must say that rainbow 2.2 looked pretty cool today.

Aaeolien - 5-9-2014 at 07:57 AM

Wow this is awesome. Been browsing this forum for a few days learning about bigger kites as I want to upgrade into something in the 4m range and came across this thread. I have a symphony 2.2 and I think I might want to convert it. Pretty wild flying. Just need to hunt me down some line to use for bridle line. Just bought some stronger main flying lines as I broke the stock lines at the knot a couple times so have those to use as brake lines. Any idea where I can order a smallish amount of decent line to use for the bridle on the brake lines?

riffclown - 5-9-2014 at 12:08 PM

The 4 Line Symphony (AKA Symphony 2.2.4) is a blast to fly. Before you buy a 4M power kite though. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, read this

Before you ask, What kite Should I buy?

The Symphony and other "sport" kites are measured much differently than Power kites..

Re: Small amount of line. It takes about 25ft to do this mod. The line I use is just under 20 cents a foot.

Where are you located? I might be willing to modify your kite for you or make you a brake bridle kit to sew onto your kite for cost of materials and postage..

Aaeolien - 5-9-2014 at 02:28 PM

I responded to your message rif.

riffclown - 7-9-2014 at 02:14 PM

Your bridles are done and will be mailed to you either Monday of Tuesday..

Aaeolien - 7-9-2014 at 05:31 PM

Thanks rif super awesome. Can't wait for them to arrive.

riffclown - 12-9-2014 at 07:30 PM

When you start sewing them on. It's important that all of your stitching stays in the hem of the kite. Mkae sur you don't place any stitching in the baffles (part that inflates.)

The seam of the tab goes up against the edge of the hem with the tab split over and under the kite. The hem gets sandwiched between the tab. You can also fold them back on themselves like I did in the picture for a cleaner look..

Lastly, make sure you take some video to share..

Aaeolien - 12-9-2014 at 08:03 PM

Thanks for the sewing tip. Doesn't look like it'll be too difficult to get all sewn on. And yep there will be video for sure. The symphony is a blast with just 2 lines, it'll definetly be a blast with extra control.

sschering - 17-9-2014 at 01:26 PM

Would it be worth the time to convert a Symphony 1.8 to quad? I have the new rainbow version.

FedEx just dropped a 4m quad on my doorstep.. I can't wait to get home from work.

riffclown - 17-9-2014 at 02:46 PM

I've converted a 1.8 and I thought it was a bit sluggish.. It will work but you have to be very cognizant of the line and bridle weight. It will work but in my opinion, it's the lower limit of feasibility.

Aaeolien - 17-9-2014 at 05:58 PM

Handles and sleeving kit to make my brake lines properly arrived today. Dinner at inlaws tomorrow night and a date with the sewing machine. LOL Calling for good kite flying conditions this weekend so if all goes to plan will be having some symphony 2.2.4 fun. LOL And yes I will get video.

Aaeolien - 20-9-2014 at 06:13 PM

Woohoo got to fly it for the first time today and wow that's different. Hahaha. Kinda wonky winds where we were at sadly so big gust for a few seconds and then big lulls of nothing so didn't really get too good at flying 4 lines. First 4 line experience. I think I am going to definetly like it though. Hoping to get it out in some nice steady wind tomorrow and really give it a workout.

riffclown - 20-9-2014 at 06:24 PM

Officially, welcome to the addiction. :wee:

Aaeolien - 20-9-2014 at 06:32 PM

Thanks Riff again bridles are fantastic. Even my 6 year old wanted a shot at flying it today and he didn't know any more than I about flying 4 line and he did just fine. He got a kick out of launching flying straight up thru the power zone and then full on brakes to bring it back down. I think once he understands what to do with it flying back and forth he will no longer want to fly his little snapshot 1.2. LOL He loves to get dragged around on his butt, laughs the whole time. Yes we are becoming quickly addicted.

riffclown - 20-9-2014 at 07:26 PM

Officially, welcome to the addiction. :wee:

Aaeolien - 21-9-2014 at 09:38 AM

Ok put some time on this thing this morning. and yep I am hopelessly addicted now. Blowing 20+ with gusts over 30 and just had a blast. Big gusts were actually causing me to scud across the grass today. So it was a bit windy

Love how i can just fly across the power window at full speed stop, pivot and turn around the other way. Just amazing. Why did I ever buy a 2 line kite to start with? HAHAHA.

riffclown - 21-9-2014 at 11:09 AM

Pics and vids! Pics and vid!

Aaeolien - 21-9-2014 at 01:11 PM

Vid later, convinced wife we should go have a picnic this evening. HAHA

Aaeolien - 22-9-2014 at 09:31 AM

Short video from this morning. Winds were a bit funky since we were in between the buildings here at work but got out for a little fun. Flying skills still need a bit of work so no laughing at those. Lol.

http://youtu.be/Fvxty0mBTKc

Aaeolien - 30-9-2014 at 06:11 PM

10mph and he is now hooked. Guess I can buy another larger kite now since I think my symphony has now been claimed by my son.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vglepGmx3JQ&index=1&...

riffclown - 30-9-2014 at 06:58 PM

Looks like someone is having a blast. I'm glad it's working out for you.. That kite definitely has a pegged fun factor.

Aaeolien - 1-10-2014 at 04:10 AM

Yep riff it's working out just great. My only issue and it's just me is I haven't figured out how to wind 4 lines up and not get any tangles when I got to unwind them. Usually have to spend a few minutes fixing the lines. Tried a few different ways and just haven't found a consistent method for me yet. Lol. Awesome kite and awesome fun.

riffclown - 1-10-2014 at 12:09 PM

Here's What i use for all my four liners

http://www.powerkiteforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=26505#pid25...

3shot - 1-10-2014 at 04:36 PM

Yup. More kites in his future :lol:

riffclown - 1-10-2014 at 04:54 PM

And he has it bad..... I mean good :D

But who are we to point. I know we have it bad...

Aaeolien - 14-10-2014 at 10:56 AM

Man this thing is a blast. Just was out in about 25-30mph just flinging it around on break here at work. So much fun. If any of you have one that is not modded. Mod it. You will not be sorry. Woohoo.

T in WI - 8-10-2015 at 07:23 PM

I know this is an old thread but so interesting as a fairly new flyer!

I read that the 1.8 is sluggish when working the quad mod but has there ever been a post on line length and weight for the bridal on the 1.8?

I would like to give my 1.8 pro a face-lift into the quad world. Even a sluggish quad sounds better than staying dual in my opinion.

If anyone has info on this please let me know!

Thanks in advance

riffclown - 9-10-2015 at 07:48 AM

I've only done one 1.8 and I 'eyeballed" it for the lengths. You can use the same measurements for the bridles and just shorten the one piece after the other bridles converge to a point..

OR we could work something out and I'd be glad to convert it for you.. PM me if you'd like to open a dialog there.

riffclown - 21-5-2017 at 06:11 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_F-LMS-1IA

John Barresi and Scott Benz flying a Rev B-series and my Symphony 2.2.4 side by side. JB is flying the Symphony..

adambweird - 21-5-2017 at 07:02 PM

FINALLY got a chance to fly my 2.2.4 conversion! Wind (lack lack thereof) and rain have been making things difficult, lol. Its an absolute gas to play with! I love it! Super touchy on the brakes, but, mine was done with a beach not a pro. Dont know if the pro is the same way after conversion. It will definately make me better with fine brake control! If youve got a Symphony 2.2 lying about, do the conversion, youll love it!

riffclown - 21-5-2017 at 07:23 PM

the "touchy" is very intentional. Glad you finally got a chance to fly it. The major difference between the beach and the pro is the bridles. On the beach they are a dynema or blendline type material and are tied. On the pro they are a thicker hi modulous line and are sewn.
IMO The pro is tuned a touch differently and seems to be less prone to bridle stretch.

no sew method

tomdiving - 22-5-2017 at 11:51 AM

converted a 1.8 pro just for a high wind kite. they're 1.17 sq meters. i'm not worried if it can riffclown for olympic 10 scores. it does all i'll ever need it to do. and it is the only kite i have been able to do a dive stop with. EASY!
this conversion works well on a slingshot b2, also. (says my brother, i have not flown it) that is around 1.1 sq m as well.
i used the normal given bridle lengths, using double-overhand knots with 300 lb. dyneema fishing line. yes, they'll likely stretch. i may never even bother to check. that knot uses up a lot of line. if i remember correctly, i took the "attachment point" measurements, and added 6 inches to each end. so for the 56 incher, i cut a length of 68". measure 8 inches from the end, and fold it over at the middle. e.g, you will bring back 4 inches of line back onto itself. double-overhand there and keep the knot as close to the tag end as possible. do the same knot on the other end and that line is done. plenty of loop for a larkshead.
the only problem i see with these dinks is that they seem "digital" instead of "analog." with analog signals, you have a bit of working room. it can be less than perfect, but still be ok. video, for instance, can have a really crappy picture, but at least you'll still see something. digital is on or it is off. if you have a crappy digital video signal, you will see NOTHING.
i don't get much in the way of working the kite to stay up in lulls. it just can't grab enough air. it is up, or it is down. no in between.
but when they're 'on,"... fun fun fun!!!
for my pro conversion, i had a thin, 1/2" lanyard. i cut 8 three inch pieces and used Shoe-Fix superglue. this glue just fixed my teva sole separation problem that nothing else would stick to. it is a flexible super glue and is holding on like a crocodile to a water buffalo.
i'm guessing that regular superglue would work, too, since it's on such a small area and doesn't really need to flex. and it's far cheaper than the shoe-fix. (9.95 + 4 bucks for shipping for a .7 oz bottle) (that bottle would do a LOT of fixing, though) the first attaching attempt was with 3m 9460 supertape that i got for the sandals. (didn't work) for the first lanyard tab, i tried the tape. it was ok, but i didn't trust it. when i glued that tab, i knew i had a winner.
take the 3" pieces, heat the ends with a lighter so they don't fray, tie a overhand knot at one end, (tricky, since you don't have much length to work with. hemostats or tweezers help a lot) and glue the tag end down on the kite edge. i clamped them with a hemostat for a very short time, but i don't think that is even necessary. pressing down on it for a few seconds is probably all that is needed.
for the connection, just larkshead the bridle and loop it over the lanyard knot.
one reason for this method is that if it did not work well, all i had to do to return it to normal is snip off the lanyard pieces.
so, if anyone is on the fence for doing the conversion, and you were worried about the sewing part of it, worry no more.
i'll be trying it on a 1.7 synapse as soon as a pal gets it to me.
tom

https://www.shoerepairglue.com/products/shoe-fix-glue-profes...

locomote - 22-5-2017 at 12:10 PM

I'm glad this thread has come up. I have a synapse 200 and had considered doing this to it. Glad to have a good reference for giving it a shot.

locomote - 22-5-2017 at 12:14 PM

I'm glad this thread has come up. I have a synapse 200 and had considered doing this to it. Glad to have a good reference for giving it a shot.

riffclown - 22-5-2017 at 02:06 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nw6C2dFfyi4

Once I got it unpacked and ready, I handed the handles to JB at the 1:00 mark for his extremely short familiarization with the modded foil. I was very interested in hearing his first impressions. It validated a lot of how I feel about this foil and the conversion. Notice how he puts it through the paces very quickly and find the limits of the sail. I spoke with him about the few idiosyncrasies with this item and he decided he was ready to play. This ground cam segment is the immediate precursor to the JB & Scott video above. The "Warmup before the dance" if you will. At 4:02 you see him decide to run over ans start interacting with Scott and the lake..

riffclown - 19-6-2017 at 12:39 PM

Time lapse video of the conversion process..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mUBdFyxU0A

Randy - 6-11-2017 at 03:36 PM

First flight of my conversion. Fun project!

soliver - 22-2-2018 at 06:27 AM

Hey, if anyone has riffclowns email address, please u2u it to me... I need to get in touch with him about this conversion.

tomdiving - 22-2-2018 at 06:32 AM

he would likely reply quite quickly to a U2U on any of his posts.

soliver - 22-2-2018 at 08:55 AM

Thanks... just havent seen him on PKF much lately, but I ll do that... I also emailed Randy who is local to me.

Thanks!

riffclown - 22-2-2018 at 12:12 PM

Indeed he would.. U2U sent

I still follow this thread very closely..

As a side note for others..

https://www.facebook.com/mystainedskin/posts/10213897169695267

Team Kitelife with a quick "pillow fight" followed by a pretty impressive piece of flying with 4 Symphony 2.2.4's

soliver - 2-4-2018 at 10:19 PM

Finally starting the conversion of my (very old) Symphony Beach 2.1m circa 2013 (I think). Primarily for my 2 oldest daughters to learn to fly 4 line kites... and of course for me to play with!! They got a decent introduction last year with this kite as a 2 line at JIBE... this year it will be 4 lines. Maybe my high wind engine too :lol:

Angus sent me lines; Randy made me bridals; Im about to sew on the tabs and the handles are a special project!!!

jeffnyc - 3-4-2018 at 07:27 AM

That looks like a fun mod, spencer. Make 4 of em and get the whole family in on a routine like Team Kitelife's Facebook video Riffclown posted above. I have a feeling it would look a lot like the pileup 30 seconds in (definitely would if I were behind the wheel).

That Kitelife vid is some seriously impressive flying.

riffclown - 4-4-2018 at 03:50 PM

There is a trick to getting the bridles just right. They are adjustable and once you get them tweaked in the kite is just about unbeatable in the air.
A couple of videos for your enjoyment.
Time lapse from converting the kites for Team KiteLife. I add a center bridle point for those that will be stuntin with the kite.. It flies fine without it but does aid a bit in stability when the kite is inverted or flying backwards..

Here's where I put one in the hands of John Barresi for the first time.

Here's immediately after that where JB flies over for a bit of impromptu flying with Fellow team mate Scott Benz. The Dive Stop at about 1:10 is priceless.

soliver - 4-4-2018 at 10:30 PM

Took it out and flew it on lunch today... lotsa fun for sure!!!

It was a fun reminder of the joy of static flying!!! This little mod has me thinking that it might be a reasonable idea for this kite to be a crazy-as-hades storm kite for the buggy.

riffclown - 5-4-2018 at 02:42 AM

My first buggy ride was with the Symphony 2.2.4..

riffclown - 22-8-2022 at 06:17 PM

I'm happy to say that the current line of Symphony Pros 2.2 and larger come with the tabs already sewn on AND HQ offers the Bridle Kits. Converting to 4 line for this sail is easier than ever.

Randy - 23-8-2022 at 08:57 AM

Hey Riff, nice to hear from you again. Your guide on how to do the 2 to 4 line conversion was very good and it worked quite well when I did it.

It also led me to do a two to three line conversion on a number of kites including some small trainer kites, and various versions of some of the foil, single skin and NPW's I made. I added the 3rd line for reverse launch and as a kite killer if needed. My method was pretty simple - just add 5 bridle tabs on the TE (wing tip, mid wing on each side and one in the center) then add bridle lines long enough to come to single point below the kite with a distance a little more than the length of the original bridles. That usually came pretty close and just took a little tweaking so that all of the 3rd line bridles had about the same tension. The bridle lengths are not critical at all to get a good reverse launch set up. Doesn't add to the performance or stunt ability of the kite but I was using these kites to ride buggy and was happy just to use a 3 line bar at the time.

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