Replace entire bladder or replace Slingshot valves w/Ustick?

[Keven]

I just bought my second kite. Its a 2006 13m Slingshot Fuel from some guy on ebay. It was described as "like new" and "will have you flying in no time". Well unfortunately for me when I filled it up it was leaking pretty bad on the LE. I pulled the bladder out and found all the valves barely hanging on in there. I replaced one whole side and the center valves with the 3" Ustick valves. Well I filled it up again today and now one of the ones on the other side are leaking. The kite is in really good condition except for this. I was wondering, should I replace the entire bladder and all new valves or is it ok to add 2 more to this one and hopefully it will be ok after this. I already spend $61 on 3 valves and glue for this bladder. Before I spend another $30, should I start over with a orange bladder and all new valves? Or should these last 2 valves be the last of my worries?

[harviento]

I've had good luck with the U-stick valves. Had you known ahead of time that you were going to be replacing all of the valves, maybe a new bladder would have made more sense. But at this point, I would continue along and spend the extra $30. It should be airtight after that.

[Me3]

You could also just stick the valves back down, no need to buy new ones.

All you need is some flexible vinyl glue, you should be able to find some at a good hardware store or plumbers merchant. New kites usually come with a small tube of the stuff as well.

Peel the valve all the way off (carefully), rough up both surfaces with some sandpaper. Glue. I usuall weight mine down with an empty salt shaker and some plates on top. Leave over night, hey presto, air tight, good as new and only costs a couple of bucks.

One tube will last you years and can be used to glue most things down, peeling bar grips, lifting deckpads etc.

[Keven]

You could also just stick the valves back down, no need to buy new ones.

All you need is some flexible vinyl glue, you should be able to find some at a good hardware store or plumbers merchant. New kites usually come with a small tube of the stuff as well.

Peel the valve all the way off (carefully), rough up both surfaces with some sandpaper. Glue. I usuall weight mine down with an empty salt shaker and some plates on top. Leave over night, hey presto, air tight, good as new and only costs a couple of bucks.

One tube will last you years and can be used to glue most things down, peeling bar grips, lifting deckpads etc.

Yeah I saw that stuff in the fix it thread. I wish I saw it before I purchased a bottle of goo for $12.95. I bought two more U stick valves for the leading edge and hopefully she will be set from here on out. If the valves on the struts start popping off I will try the glue/shaker trick. So far I spent $90 just to get this kite working w/o including purchase price.....hopefully it lasts!


On a side note, whats a fair price for a 2006 13m slingshot fuel with bag, pump/pressure gauge, and naish bar/lines? Trying to see if I will break even for an average price.

[Dunoyer]

I am trying to buy something at airtimekite.com but the web site appears to be down. Anyone else experiencing problems?

[GregK]

Yes, I tried to go to the Airtime Kite website yesterday and got a string of code instead. I think it's either badly crashed or been hacked.

[LiquidXtasy]

On a side note, whats a fair price for a 2006 13m slingshot fuel with bag, pump/pressure gauge, and naish bar/lines? Trying to see if I will break even for an average price.

I really hope you paid under 100 for that leaky kite

[airtimekite]

The website is back up....sorry for that.

Casey

[NYKiter]

Use valve traps...half the price by reusing your old valves...

[Mitaka]

@ NYKiter, LiquidXtasy

This is a very old thread, the OP bought the kite and needed advise back in 2009!