chris25 - 30-5-2007 at 08:21 AM
can anyone please help me i recently got a buster and it keeps pulling to one side more than the other i really have to pull the handle well in to my
body to get it to turn. the lines are not twisted and the bridles are both on the same setting ANY IDEAS IM GUTTED oh and can i cut the strop in half
it really irritates me
awindofchange - 30-5-2007 at 02:05 PM
Yea, cut the irritating strop. I find that most factory strops are way to short anyways. Cut the thing, tie some good figure 8 knots in each end and
then use that to attach a strop that works for your arm lengths and isn't so restricting.
For the kite pulling to one side, I suggest a couple simple tests to help locate the problem. First, if you have an extra lineset laying around or if
you know of someone who is willing to help you, change linesets to see if that fixes the problem. Chances are that your lines have stretched or are
un-equal lengths. If you dont have a second set the easiest way to check them is to unhook your lines from your kite and handles, stake the loops
down on one end with a good ground stake (heavy screwdriver, tire iron, etc...) and all the lines tight on the other end. If they are different
lengths you will see. Untie the ends of the longer lines and shorten them (re-tie) down to equal the length of the shortest line so that all four
lines are equal. While your lines are disconnected, check the leader lines on your handles. Put your handles in the exact same position and check
to see that all four leader lines are the exact same length. Another thing to check is that the end knots on your leaders are the exact same distance
from the handles. If all of this checks out and is equal lengths, the problem is in your kite and/or bridle.
Go to your kite and pick up each of your bridle attachment points one at a time. Check to see that all of your bridle lines run straight to the kite
and that one line is not wrapped around or through the others causing one side to pull more than the other. If they are all straight, have someone
hold down the trailing edge of the kite and stretch the bridle lines up above the kite and make sure they are the same length from right to left.
They should equal the same distance, one side should not be longer than the other.
If all of this is good, then the last thing to check would be the sail itself. This is more difficult to check but try to see if the kite has been
abnormally stretched out more on one side than the other. Try to have someone hold the kite up off of the ground (may take more than one person) so
that the kite is hanging in such a way that the kite is close to its normal flying shape. Check the backside of the kite from side to side to see if
you can notice any one (or more) cells that are stretched more than the other. Check the inside of the kite as well on every rib to make sure the
ribs are fully intact and are not blown out (torn).
If everything looks good then I would suggest going back to the shop you purchased the kite from and seeing if they can find a problem or are willing
to exchange the kite for you. If it is new and defective (very rare but could happen) then PKD or your shop should replace the defective kite no
problem. If the damage to the kite is caused by you or neglect or abusive flying then you are going to have a very hard time getting it replaced
without a fee.
I hope this helps. Let us know what you find.
Pablo - 30-5-2007 at 06:40 PM
#1 problem with the Busters is the adjustable brake leaders on the handles, while they're great for fine tuning a kite in the air, people will quite
often fly the kite with them adjusted differently. Either loosen them both off or make sure that they're both adjusted to the same length. When
they're brand new they can slip a bit if you don't give them a tug to make sure they're set on the cleats.
Usually that's the problem. I've only had 1 kite in 300 have uneven line lengths out of the bag.
Bladerunner - 31-5-2007 at 07:46 AM
I have had that problem and it WAS due to slip on the brake line cleat. Hope that's it.
Also you can take the kite by the bridle knots and let it sit above you without any lines. If you have a bridle issue it may show up that way.