VANCOUVER ISLAND WINDTALK

We flew a trainer kite in extreme conditions and the force pulled the plastic thingy off the end of the bar (and one side of the kite lines with it) - all was retrieved and detangled except for the piece at the end of the bar (I'm pretty sure it is in China by now). The lines are not going to stay on without it - or some sort of replacement. Any suggestions? Does anyone have an old bar they are not using? I have all the rest of the pieces.

how big is it?? you should be able to tie it with the appropriate knots.

Hi Colin,

I was able to re-tie the lines by matching the knots to the other side - but the plastic thing at the end of the bar prevents the lines from slipping off (I think).

The bar itself is similar to the end of a bike handlebar. A friend suggested that I just see if I can fit one of those plastic pieces that go into the end of handlebars into the kite bar.

Although it seems like a reasonable idea I'm not sure if it wouldn't just pop off from the pull of the lines anyway (although I could get one with pink tassles ).

This weekend would have been a great time to use the kite but I didn't dare launch it near anything living just in case the line came off again.

im sure you can jurry rig something, its just a small kite right?

that was me

It is a small kite - OR 1.8 (I think) - but in 40 knot wind it feels pretty big! (Okay, I realize that maybe we shouldn't have been flying it in those conditions but it was pretty fun - for my brother that is - I doubt I would have been able to control it at all).

Even in lesser winds it is still enough to pull you off your feet or along the beach so I believe the pressure on the ends is pretty intense.

There probably is some very practical solution . . . I just don't have it!

Hi,

you don't need a new bar end. Just lash some leader line around the bar a couple times, leave a short "pigtail" hangin off, then tie the flying line to the leader line. Leader line is usually 1/8" spectra, but any strong line will work. Tie a couple knots in the pigtail, then attach the flying line with a larkshead knot to the leader line pigtail.

Just make sure both flying lines end up the same total length measured from bar to kite.

Good luck with your knots !!

If the leader lines are the ones that the thinner kite lines chicken loop into I have them and have reattached them to the bar copying from the other side . . . if that is what you meant . . . but I'm not sure how I can prevent them from slipping off the end under high pressure since it is essentially just a knot wrapped around a piece of smooth aluminum (?) pipe . . .

Wrap 1" wide duct tape around the end of the bar to form a stopper. When you lash the leader line around the bar it's possible to get it to hold tight with the right knot. You could also drill a hole thru close to the end of the bar and tie stuff thru it.

The beauty of duct tape - I just don't know how people survived before internet, duct tape and post-it notes.

Thank you for the advice - I even have a drill - I hate to look like an idiot but do I need a special bit for metal?

As far as the knots are concerned (to Mattdog too) they wouldn't let me into boy scouts so I didn't get to learn anything so practical as how to tie a good knot (and chant "dib-dib-dib") - instead I got to wear impractical mini-skirts and sell cookies (and chant "twit-twit-tawoo" - which is how I feel right now for not coming up with the practical solution).

To all responses I really do appreciate the help.

I guess the bar's aluminum so any drill bit will work.

To Colin, Matt and Mystery "Guest" - drilling through the bar and tying knots appears to have done the trick. Thank you again for your input. Now all I need to do is learn how to fly the darn thing . . .