No intention of selling or entering it in a beauty pageant. Just want to get max use out of it. Bladder didn't burst surprisingly just bubbled out, didn't know what I was looking at for a split second.
jumptheshark wrote:rode a bandit without the centre strut for years.
Could this damage the canopy? Looks stretched a bit over the semi inflated strut when flying. It's actually the strut between the center & right, not sure of correct terminology I just call it "center right".
knyfe wrote:you will easliy spend $100 for the fix
Spot on knyfe, that's what I was quoted $AUD. Included post though, seems alright. Makes more sense to put it towards a 2nd hand replacement but seems like a waste to give up on the bandit. Might keep flying it on four struts & see how the rest holds up before deciding on a pro repair.
windmaker wrote:you can use adhesive Dacron tape
Can get a little pressure in it before the tape starts coming off. I'll try some dacron tape. Any trick to applying it on the inside of the tear, bloody fiddly. Tried to use the tape's backing to stop the strut sticking to it.
LiquidXtasy wrote:
Don't try to sow it fully inflated or else you will have problems with the bladder.
Some sage advice there, can't tell you the number of times I've ended up in emergency with multiple puncture wounds after I forgot to take my pants off before hemming them.
Are the fiber fix kits a nightmare to wrap around the strut. Don't know how I'd press it down flat, do one side at a time maybe?
I'm a dab hand with a sewing awl, did a minor LE repair that held at least. Probably dreaming but thinking of trying a stitched repair myself. Gunk all over the needle & thread from the adhesive backed dacron made it difficult. I imagine it'd just clog up the bobbin on a machine. Got a heap of questions about that but it's off topic.
Got the kite 2nd hand & replaced all valves, bladders were fine. I'd say it was in hibernation for a while. Was in strange condition, canopy was crispy but covered in patches. Like it was only used a couple dozen times but flagged into the brambles after each session. Maybe it's not strange & the previous owner just learnt on it, no idea.
Been flogging it for over a year with no problems 'til now, pretty stoked it's lasted this long actually. Thought I'd regret spending $200 plus on valves. Fingers crossed there's a bit more life left.
Appreciate all the replies & any further advice, cheers.