19 replies to this topic

[mbro]

Hello All,
I'm a newbie to the forum, I must say I enjoy reading everyones posts and have learned alot. I've owned a rev for almost 15 yrs(Backtracker) Remember those? When I bought the kite it came with 40' lines tied direct to the bridles and plastic revolution brand handles.
It took me a very long time just to get it in the air with no one to teach me So after many frustrating days out I did'nt fly much. then was out flying my single lines and a dual line flyer told me I should try longer lines. I have since then tried my hand at making line set for it and have had a lot of help from the forums and kite shop owners. Sooooo I'm getting back into it a weekend at a time. Just ordered some new rev handles and I'm jacked about those arriving. I also read a post from mitch about painting his zen and did a great face lift to my kite, I'll post some pictures soon as I figure out how? Anyway hello everyone good to be here. mbro

[awindofchange]

Awesome to have you on board! Welcome to the Forum. Lots of great people on here with tons of knowledge to help you if you ever have a question.

[Baloo]

A Backtracker, wow.

I have seen folks pictures on here, hope you get it to fly for you. I understand they can be a bit tricky?

[Watty]

Hello All,
I'm a newbie to the forum, I must say I enjoy reading everyones posts and have learned alot. I've owned a rev for almost 15 yrs(Backtracker) Remember those? When I bought the kite it came with 40' lines tied direct to the bridles and plastic revolution brand handles.
It took me a very long time just to get it in the air with no one to teach me So after many frustrating days out I did'nt fly much. then was out flying my single lines and a dual line flyer told me I should try longer lines. I have since then tried my hand at making line set for it and have had a lot of help from the forums and kite shop owners. Sooooo I'm getting back into it a weekend at a time. Just ordered some new rev handles and I'm jacked about those arriving. I also read a post from mitch about painting his zen and did a great face lift to my kite, I'll post some pictures soon as I figure out how? Anyway hello everyone good to be here. mbro

Wow! all this on a backtracker? You may want to consider picking up a Rev 1.5. I think you will find it to be much more manageable. The Backtracker was the only Revolution kite ever to be made outside of the US. It was intended to be a cheaper model for beginners. Unfortunately, it is very twitchy and quite difficult to control, and is not all that great for beginners. I had a chance to fly one for a bit at WSIKF 2009, and it was an experience. When walking, it looked like a fat guy walking down a side-walk.

[Love2fly]

Hi mbro-

Welcome to the Dark Side; where flying is bright and sunny.

As you've already found out, there's tons of great info here. Of course, if you can't find the answer to something, please feel free to ask. Everyone on this forum is eager to share their knowledge and experience.

Good luck and happy flying!

[mbro]

Thanks for all the welcomes, and yes it is tricky to fly. Thats why I lost interest for a number of years. But since I've found this forum and talked to some poeple in the know I'm going to try and " get er done "so when I can afford to step up to something better I'll be ready
thanks
mbro

[antman]

you,ve entered a great world my friend. enjoy!!!!!

[melnsct]

Please post a pic of your artwork on the kite!!!

[LS Kite Stakes]

Welcome to the Dark Side!

You have found the place for any info on Revolution products. The backtracker is the one exception, it is regarded as the black sheep of the family. I will echo the sentiments of others, you will have a much easier time learning to fly with the Rev 1.5 series kites. Those are the EXP, 1.5 SLE and the B-series. If you can, come on out to a kite festival this summer, or one of the west coast Revguild gatherings. The big one will be WSIKF in long Beach WA the third week of August. There are going to be rev fliers from all over the globe attending. Come on out, we WILL hand you the handles to a kite (it could be a B Pro, a Zen, masterpiece by Elliot Shook, what ever is on the end of the lines) and put a silly grin on your face.......

The hooks will be set very deep, young padawan........

[beach]

Sure hope you'll come join us and try out the new face of Revolution kites........ Ben

[mbro]

Hi All, here are the pictures of my BT, the symbol on the right stands for Revolution, the one on the left is wind,
hey RS I guess it truly is a "BLACK sheep now. ha ha ha!!

[melnsct]

I wonder if you put a new bridle on it that goes all the way to the wingtips if it would fly better.

[Baloo]

I was just wondering that too Mel.

[mbro]

Hey I'd be more than willing to give that a try, But, I know nothing about tying bridles. Can someone talk me through it? Or better yet, suggest someone to show me.
Mbro

[Stone in Shoe Bob]

I wonder if you put a new bridle on it that goes all the way to the wingtips if it would fly better.

I think it does, take another look at the picture. I think it just looks odd because the kite is hung by the bridle.

[Watty]

I think it does, take another look at the picture. I think it just looks odd because the kite is hung by the bridle.

Nah, look at the first picture with the kite laying flat. the end caps are disconnected, and you can see no line attached to them.

[Baloo]

If you can find a picture of a current Rev you will see that the bridle is connecte at the top and bottom end caps.

Looks like the top are connected, however the bottom feeds through the sail to what looks like the down rod.

What we are suggesting is that it might fly better if the lower was connected to the bottom end cap. This would probably mean making the bridle longer.

Of course none of us who are suggesting this have ever tried it with a Backpacker, it may well make things worse?

You never know however there may be A.N.Other out ther who has tried doing this.

[melnsct]

Maybe start by making leaders with a few knots on them and attatch them to the lower endcaps. Then disattatch the bridle from its current location and larks head it to the leaders. You can then test it out in several positions by changing which knot it is connected to. Just an idea.

[melnsct]

Maybe start by making leaders with a few knots on them and attatch them to the lower endcaps. Then disattatch the bridle from its current location and larks head it to the leaders. You can then test it out in several positions by changing which knot it is connected to. Just an idea.

What do you think, Mr Bear????

[Baloo]

Yep, recon that would be a good way to try things out.