20 replies to this topic

[kellstr]

Hey There,

About 20 years ago I had a little extra cash and I wanted a Revolution kite. The Rev II was cheaper so I went with that (in pink). I tried to fly it and could not figure it out on my own. It went back into it's bag and has basically stayed there . Today, I was out with some folks with Rev 1.5's and one of the fellows taught me the basics of flying a Rev . Another fellow told me that if I wanted to fly my old Rev I should change out the bridle. So, should I? I cannot find either the handles (I know they are around here somewhere) or the kite line. What are the recommendations for line, handles, & bridle? I live in NC but not on the coast.

Kelly

[RevWizard]

Welcome to the REV Forum. Welcome to the Dark Side!

First of all, the REV II you mention first does not need the bridle changed as it uses equal length lines.
Now in regards to the REV I which is the larger REV which you do not mention that you have.
Sometime in 1992 the bridle for the REV I was changed. The previous one required lines of two different lengths by 7 inches. The later bridle uses all lines of the same length. If in fact you do have a REV I, you would have to verify first which bridle you have before you go out and change the bridle.
Lines: 90lb, 80 or 100feet.
Handles: shorter for the REV II, mid size or longer for the REV I.
If I recall correctly there is a kite shop in NC that handles REVs. You could also check out one of the on-line kite shops, however it might be a good idea to contact first your local kite shop.

[Tim]

Hi, Kelly. It was good flying with you yesterday.

Steve suggested that you replace the bridle on the Rev 2 because the bridles on the early versions were made with very heavy line. The current bridle you have will probably work -- it just might be heavy. The bridle on Steve's original teal and white Rev 2 is practically made of cotton rope. Swapping to a new bridle is optional, but it might improve the performance in our lousy inland wind.

RevWizard is right about the lines: I'd recommend 90lb, 80 feet. I can lend you some sets if you want to try different lengths before buying. The handles are unfortunately expensive, so I hope you can find your old pair. Typically people use 11" handles with Rev 2s, as opposed to the 13" handles we were using on the Rev 1.5's yesterday. Steve and Scott both have 11" pairs that they might lend to you.

Our local Rev specialists are Cath and Eliot of Flying Smiles Kites (www.flyingsmileskites.com). They're very helpful folks.

I hope that helps and that you get to take your 2 out for a spin soon.

-Tim

[RevWizard]

The problem with the early black bridles on most of the REVs was not so much the weight. It was their tendency to stretch like a bungee. As they apparently get older with use, the worse it gets.

[kellstr]

Thank you Guys,

This is a Rev II. It has a 6 foot wing span. Tim, your description of the bridle is about right. But I might play around with it before replacement. I know I've seen the handles, they did make it through the last move. I'll hunt around a bit.

Kelly

[stroke survivor]

If your Rev 2 is as old as you say, it might have come with 9" handles!! Little bitty things!! Now, they're sold with 11" handles, along with the newer "B-2" kite!!

[Baloo]

I just LOVE those old Rev 2's, is it a solid Pink colour One?

[kellstr]

Yes, it is solid pink.

[kellstr]

I have found the handles and the original kite line that came with my Rev II. The handles are 9" from tip to tip. I assuming that the kite line should be replaced but it's always been kept out of direct sunlight.

Kelly

[RevWizard]

If the lines are a consistent yellow, then they are the Kevlar lines.
Some early REV II's were delivered with Kevlar lines.
Don't ever use these lines around another kite, because if they hit the other kite lines, it would likely cut them.

Now if the lines are white, you are fine. These would be Spectra(Dynema)lines.
I am still using Spectra *Shanti Speed" lines from 1995 and they are still functioning well.

[kellstr]

oh, these are definitely yellow.

[Baloo]

Yes, it is solid pink.

[RevWizard]

oh, these are definitely yellow.

Another problem with the yellow Kevlar lines is that are not as slippery as Spectra lines.
I would suggest you acquire a set of Spectra lines if you fly around anyone else s kite.

[REVflyer]

I'd say take you should take your kite to Cath & Eliot (Corolla, NC) and let them do some doctoring on your Rev2. They carry two products which might interest you, a set of magic sticks and replacement french bridle (approx 50 bucks total) which will create a trick machine monster. They can provide you with some lessons too, sell you line or handles, whatever your heart desires.

Cath & Eliot are both great folks, as much interested in expanding your kiting pleasure as they are in carving up the empire for personal profit. If for no other reason, go make some new friends and forget all about commerce. You will also become a loyal client as has happened to many of us on the east coast after exposure to this wonderful couple. They were kiters before they were kite business owners, they get what we all love so much and why!

One word of warning though, Eliot makes a kite called the Shook Mesh Masterpiece Revolution. It is an incredible flying kite, custom made specifically for you (priced accordingly, so sorry!!!) You get what you pay for, . . . . a bus can get you downtown, but some folks own a Ferrari. You can learn to drive in a bus too, or you can drive a Ferrari featuring demon speed and handling like it was on railroad tracks. You can fly all graceful or throw that kite around like you were sparring with Mike Tyson. It's all up to you!

They also manage a Rev kite clinic around president's day weekend each year, where you can hang with a big group of us, get personalized instruction as well as trying out a bunch of different kites plus options that are commercially available to modify and customize it's performance to suit your own developing preferences. You fly one for a few minutes, then switch to another that is slightly different, you keep doing this for an entire weekend developing a set of preferences for your own style. You might like "A" or "B", but why are they different is just as important.

Welcome to the dark side

I dug out my old Rev2s last year and they are 2 tons of fun when the wind is blowing. Inland flying is as much about technique/skill as it is about your secret weapon of choice in a kite. DANGER, you will want more of these kites and begin acquiring them for different sets of conditions.

On the other hand, maybe you should just give those darn kites away right now, before you are too addicted to make rational decisions. Once you get hooked into this style of kite flying,... there's no turning back! You'll collect these darn Rev-kite thingies and ignore your other responsibilities, to home, the family, work/school and your financial well-being will always be at risk!

[lamrith]

I dug out my old Rev2s last year and they are 2 tons of fun when the wind is blowing. Inland flying is as much about technique/skill as it is about your secret weapon of choice in a kite. DANGER, you will want more of these kites and begin acquiring them for different sets of conditions.

On the other hand, maybe you should just give those darn kites away right now, before you are too addicted to make rational decisions. Once you get hooked into this style of kite flying,... there's no turning back! You'll collect these darn Rev-kite thingies and ignore your other responsibilities, to home, the family, work/school and your financial well-being will always be at risk!

This is no Joke, take it from a newly Afflicted Addict.. I have been flying foils already, but this is a whole new world. My 1st Rev Arrived the last Week of Feb 2012, I flew for the 1st time March 3rd 2012. I now have 4 Rev's in my new Rev bag and #5 is being delivered today. They are like Lay's Potatoe chips; you can't stop at just one!

Here's the low down. You need one 1.5rev for each wind range, that means full sail, mid, full and extra vents. Then you need your "Indycar", shockwave/supersonic. Then you need your "in town truck", the Blast. Then your "hauling the mail truck", power blast. Meanwhile you have hooked members of your family, second full set of 1.5 rev's. Or you hand the Original 1.5's down to family and buy a full set of B or B pro's for yourself... Plus all the extra handes, linesets, framesets...

[SparkieRob]

And that means another bag, your kites and the loaner ones!

[kellstr]

Yeah... I've already been looking at more kites. ::sigh::

I've also been looking at line and am already thinking of making my own set of lines. I've seen where you can get LPG in bulk and then I'd need to cut and and sleeve the lines. But I don't have a sewing machine that I can use to seal up the ends and create the loop. How well do knots hold? Just a couple of overhands on the end of the sleeve and a figure 8 to create the loop? Would that hold or am I better off buying a pre-made set.

Kelly

[Tim]

Yeah... I've already been looking at more kites. ::sigh::

I've also been looking at line and am already thinking of making my own set of lines. I've seen where you can get LPG in bulk and then I'd need to cut and and sleeve the lines. But I don't have a sewing machine that I can use to seal up the ends and create the loop. How well do knots hold? Just a couple of overhands on the end of the sleeve and a figure 8 to create the loop? Would that hold or am I better off buying a pre-made set.

Kelly

You certainly don't need a sewing machine to seal up the ends of the lines -- you just need some sleeving material, which is bridle line with a core of spectra. You pull out the spectra core and then you have a tube of material for the sleeves. I use this braided dacron line. Some people don't sleeve their lines, but I prefer to just because it makes the lines easier to handle. You'll also need a strong pole or something to loop the ends around, because you'll need to pull on the lines to get the stretch out. Then a pen or permanent marker to mark the lines, scissors or a knife, and empty winders. I also got a pair of forceps in the fishing section of a sporting goods store to help tie good knots. (Edit: you'll also need a sleeving tool, which is a section of stiff wire that helps you pull the spectra through the sleeve.) There are several different methods for measuring and tying the lines -- I'm not sure what the best way is, so I'll leave that to the veterans to say.

I enjoyed making my own linesets (and I saved some money doing it), but my homemade sets are not as good as the sets I bought pre-made from Cath and Eliot. I must not have stretched the lines out well enough because I kept having to adjust them until they had all the stretch out and stopped needing adjustment. So that's a factor when you are considering making versus buying lines: are you willing to adjust the homemade lines?

[Cath Shook]

The problem with the early black bridles on most of the REVs was not so much the weight. It was their tendency to stretch like a bungee. As they apparently get older with use, the worse it gets.

Hi ya' Kelly

Later in this topic, someone mentions the original lines. Long John or others can tell you when the switch was made, but do NOT use the yellow/goldish kevlar lines!! 'They' quit using them 'cuz they'll cut EVERYthing else!

If your lines were white, then they're Spectra of some sort. There is a new yellow line, called Skybond that was introduced about a year ago. These are outstanding and preferred, made by Shanti. A different yellow.

We're always ready to answer Rev and other framed kite questions!

Have fun,
Cath

[Cath Shook]

Yeah... I've already been looking at more kites. ::sigh::

I've also been looking at line and am already thinking of making my own set of lines. I've seen where you can get LPG in bulk and then I'd need to cut and and sleeve the lines. But I don't have a sewing machine that I can use to seal up the ends and create the loop. How well do knots hold? Just a couple of overhands on the end of the sleeve and a figure 8 to create the loop? Would that hold or am I better off buying a pre-made set.

Kelly

Kelly,

Not sure where you're located, but if you can come over for a day, I'll teach you how to make linesets. Will take about 1/2 an hour, (then you can help me make more for the store ... ???)