klimber,
Is this along the lines of what you mean?
This is a photo of a line tensioner. If there was a slot down the centre of it for a steel fitting to slide up and down in and the steel attachment was fitted to the rider side of the Cabrinha powerlock fitting, you could slide the powerlock fitting to anywhere on the powerline and when you hooked onto the powerlock with the bar, the powerlock would slide along the slot, increasing the leverage and locking the tensioner onto the line. Pushing the powerlock fitting toward the rider, it slides along the slot towards the powerline end and releases the tensioner. This would allow the Cabrinha powerlock fitting to be positioned anywhere on the powerline, while kiting.

Ronnie,

Your design is clever, but I had in mind independent pivoting levers, each a single moving part, that would cynch the line. I envision a geometry that would give about 4:1 to 6:1 mechanical advantage, and without a plunger that might be prone to jamming with sand.

Best regards,
James

If memory serves me right, this is also the same configuration on the nova. Can a nova owner confirm?

For me, I found the nova to feel mushy and vague. Did anyone notice if this mod made the xbow feel more vague? I'm wondering if the extra pulley is the culprit.

If it is the same configuration as the Nova, the two would feel very different anyway as the Nova doesn't have the 2-1 purchase system on the bar like the crossbow.

I was working on this bridle modification last night & came up with a different attachment configuration that I believe is a little cleaner. You just reverse the new line you are adding, so the knot is at the LE. The photos below show the details. I am using 1/8" Amsteel dyneema from Layline, which is thicker then the original bridle material. I dont know where to purchase something identical to the original. The Amsteel is nice for splicing. Use a small drinking straw, cut a diagonal point on one end, then slice lengthwise (to make thinner), as a fid, to snake your line through the Cabrinha loop at the LE. I also included photos of my method for making a spliced loop. After making a loop you can run over it with a sewing machine to make it 100% secure. A little hand sewing would work too. I have also used these splices without sewing and never had one come undone, but you are taking an extra risk of it coming undone at the wrong time.


Thank you very much thekiterider2000 for your research. And Kruzlifix is right this mod will create a bridle essentialy identical to the Switchblade. I have both kites and was too dumb to notice this before. I have not had the time to fly my modded 16m XB, maybe after work today or tomorrow.

Connection at A,B,C as per kiterider2000 drawing.


New connection.


How to create a Larkshead at the LE.




Pull the Amsteel tight and you have a Larkshead.


Use a figure 8 knot in case you want to adjust or remove. Trim the end up after you are satisfied with the performance of your kite.


Creating a channel for the fid using a Samson splicing tool, (a long skinny nail would work).


Straw used as a fid.


If you are competent with a sewing machine and have the right line you could duplicate the original construction without splicing.

Nice work tplowe56, Congratulation.

Could be great to have your feedback after you try it.

Cheers
Fernando

I don't have my kite with me and would like to know how much Dyneema to buy to do the mod on both sides of a CB16?

Thanks Bob

Rough requirements are as follows:

9m 14ft
12m 20 ft
16m 25ft

That is off the top of my head, so you might want to buy a little extra.

Don't be mad at me if I am wrong.

I was looking at my bridles on the 9 and noticed that they were not symetrical. One side was around 3 inches longer than the other. It was juse one piece of the bridle that was too short. Has anybody else noticed this? It didn't seem to affect the kite too much though, as I have been flying it since the summer and not noticed until now.

JJ

Just measured the parts I removed. On a 16m the line needs to be 292cm or 9'7" for one side. About 20' total for 2. So, yea, 25' would be plenty with some room for error. Making a loop takes some extra.

Hi Tplowe56

Good photos and good solution to a do it yourself method of constructing the replacement bridle piece. I used some pieces of bridle from an old Naish 9M AR3.5 two liner that was gathering dust in the boatshed. The pieces I used had a stitched loop already onm the end so I just had to add a pigtail knot to the other.

May be usefull to post your pics on the other thread entitled Crossbow Bar Pressur Fix.

Wait till you fly your 16 with the fix. You will be stoked. It will fly with the same bar pressure as your switchblade.

Was out on my "fixed" 16M in about 12 knts on a 125 Litewave yesterday arvo. Upwind no problem, one handed riding no problem.

I now love the kite I hated.

Fitzy Gold Coast OZ