vespa said...

The one pump system has slow leaks on most of the cable tie connections to valve stems. I am thinking of using tighter cable ties or even sikaflex to stop this..
This would occur without most people noticing....
Any one got advice?????

Some one pump designs are really sh1te, anything that has external plumbing is a good start, but then you need to have a close look at the connectors.
My experience fixing lots of kites is that there are some that should be avoided if possible. I can't name brands here as it just turns ugly really quick due to the dozens of pimps that inhabit the forums.
Send me a PM and I'll help you sort yours out. I would not recommend using sikaflex.

the tubing perishes in the sun/salt and will start to leak. tighter ties will only make things worse.
replacing the tube is easy and cheap. just make sure you use uv resistant cable ties otherwise they will perish pretty quickly too.

Well, new tubes and ties by the sounds of it...

Many new kites - 2011 & 2012 now come with bladder valves welded instead glued.
These cannot be removed by the hot water treatment suggested.
Only way to replace faulty valves in the newer kites is to cut out the whole of the raised centre section - very carefully - I use a scalpel - then fit the replacement stick-on over the hole & the old flange which stays put.
Important to put a piece of tissue paper under the cut out hole so the inner sticky section of the replacement doesnt stick to the other side of the bladder!

As for the problem in question. Definitely looks like the transfer tubes. On most kites they are long enough to trim the offending end off then refit & replace a cable tie.
And yes tightening a small thin hard plastic tie too tight on the softer tube often causes them to cut into, and eventually through, the tube. Gently tight is better than pulling a Tarzan act.

Just replace the ties, make sure you use fairly small ones (even use two on each connection) because some of the bigger, stiffer ones don't form a very good circle when pulled down tight on a small circumfrence.

I used to fly Eclipse kites, the main kite I used was the 6 Kima and I had no problems with it for the first year or so.
The first time it deflated on me was in the heats of the Wedge wave comp, the very first turn on my first wave it folded, helicoptered and crashed (Murphy's Law) .

I discovered that air was leaking from a hose on the one pump system due to a loose cable tie so I replaced all the cable ties on it (kept the same tubing) and never had a problem again.

I think Knickers still has that kite and it's still going strong?
I will have to ask her nicely if I can have a go on it this summer, I loved that kite.

tightlines said...
Just replace the ties, make sure you use fairly small ones (even use two on each connection) because some of the bigger, stiffer ones don't form a very good circle when pulled down tight on a small circumfrence.

+ 1

Start by changing your cable ties with smaller ones and go from there