slingshot 2004 bladders

[kjorn]

I have just bought a 2004 13m fuel, and I have had no end of problems with the bladders. The little black valve nossel things keep comming away from the clear plastic bladder material.

Is this common?

Could I replace these bladders with 2005 bladders?

Is there any way to repair the bladders with some sort of special glue? I looked up the price of a set of replacement bladders, and they come to 1/3rd of the price of what I paid for the kite (paid £300 for kite, £100 for new bladders)

Or should I just sell the kite and move on?

Thanks,

monk.e.boy

[uncleneil]

kjorn, The '04 SS bladders had a problem with the black tips that you have. They are made from recycled plastic that does not adhere to the pure plastic on the bladder itself. You should take it back to the dealer that sold it to you and get the warranteed replacement bladders from SS. You can tell that they are the right ones by the clear valves.

[kjorn]

are the right ones by the clear valves.

Thanks for the info.

kjorn

[SlingshotKid]

Email slingshot and they will send you a whole set of new bladders for free.

[uncleneil]

Yes the right valves are the clear ones.

[kjorn]

Thanks guys, really appreciate the help! I love that kite, just starting to nail kite loops!

Those bladders were doing my head in, I have glued and re-glued them all so many times!!

thanks again,

john.e.boy

[shahter]

Is it taking anybody else way too long to get the replacement bladders from SS? Our local shop ordered bladders for 1my 15m Fuel more than a month ago and still nothing!
Will I get a faster response if I e-mail SS directly??

[Darktanyan]

Is it taking anybody else way too long to get the replacement bladders from SS? Our local shop ordered bladders for 1my 15m Fuel more than a month ago and still nothing!
Will I get a faster response if I e-mail SS directly??

Mine arrived about one week after e-mailing and phoning them (I'm in California).

By the way, you CAN repair the defective ones with urethane glue. It takes several layers and the kite is down for a long time while the glue dries. I'm still using the original repaired bladders, and am keeping the new ones for future replacement.

[High Abuser]

Hey guys , just been searching the threads about this as I read it before but didnt think it would affect me .

Went out on the weekend to teach a few PPL and pumped my kite up & walked away for like 5 minutes and came back & she was flat as...I say she cause she went down on me LOL ...hmm.

anyway its an 04 by the markings on the bag & the year I bought it.
IT has the black valves and not only does it leak from here but it also leaks up the stitching up the struts as well, so I have no chance here.

I e-mailed the guys I bought it from and SS to see what they have to say.

I hope I am able to get new bladders for this as I havent really used it as much as I would have expected it to start doing this.
ITs leaking on most struts ...damn it.

anyway , will let you know.

Respek !!

[kjorn]

I emailed and phoned SS, and they said they'd send a set out to me. But they mentioned that the 13m (which is what I need) is on back order - bummer.

Take a digital photo of the bladders with the black valve bits, that should prove you've got a dodgy set.

I repaired the struts that leaked, but as soon as you start to fiddle with them, ones that looked ok start to leak.

I'm going back to my CO2 that thankfully I haven't put on eBay yet.

It was a bit of a shock to find that a Feul, arguably the strongest kite out there just broke when I was flying it. My mates almost died laughing.

I hope the bladders come soon!

monk.e.boy