Crisis: my donkey phallus has failed...

lks · Since 06 Nov 2007 117 Posts Anchorage, Alaska Stoked

So I purchased a 9m TD2 last Sept. This is the greatest kite in the world, but... Rode it about 8 snowkite sessions so far. Gently handled; above zero weather, no jumps, no slams. About 4 sessions into it I noticed that the donkey phallus seemed to have a kink in the middle of it. Today, I discovered that the outer rubber in the middle was about 90% broken, with the inner metalic filling cleanly severed.
1. Is it normal to have this happen after 8 sessions?
2. Can I replace just the phallus by means of removing the screw at the base of the chicken loop?
3. Where can I buy a new phallus, and how much do they cost?
This is a crisis situation, since here in Anchorage, we are in the middle of the sweet spot of the season, with long hours of daylight, high temperatures and still lots of snow. Any help is greatly appreciated.
I am a big Slingshot fan, and am not trying to start a brand war.
LKS

Kiteguy · Since 26 Aug 2007 75 Posts

I cant comment on your current setup but have heard that zip ties (cable ties) work in a pinch as a chicken foot. I have a few on hand but have never needed to use them. You can get them at any hardware store and try and get the thickest one possible and cut it to length.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cable_tie

Wyo Kiter · Sun Mar 30, 08 12:01 am

you can remove the old donkey dik with the screw, then find some rubber tubing at a hardware store the same thickness, replace the tubing in the black ball.

I would suggest not re using the hardened piece the is in side the tubing as the cold weather you are kiting in in causing the rubber tubing to become brittle.

Pepi · Sun Mar 30, 08 6:08 am

We have the Slingshot Donkey Diks in stock at our shop and could mail one out to you asap if you call the shop during work hours. I cannot recall off the top of my head the exact price, but it is likely between $7-$14.00
All it takes to replace it is to remove the one philips head screw holding the Dik in the chicken loop assembly.

Ask for Matt, Mike or myself (Pepi) and we can help you out (541)386-4464, shop hours 10am-6pm

Pepi

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3754 Posts PDX-LA Videographer

Have never had one fail as you mentioned (on '06-08 kites)... but who knows, maybe they don't like the cold weather..?

You can buy directly from Slingshot. Replace as others have described.

http://buyslingshotsports.com/s.nl/it.A/id.355/.f?sc=2&category=421

lks · Since 06 Nov 2007 117 Posts Anchorage, Alaska Stoked

for the very helpful feedback. Also suggested to me here in Anchorage was using a caribiner, as shown below. Not sure I'm ready to venture that far outside of the warranty. lks

lks · Since 06 Nov 2007 117 Posts Anchorage, Alaska Stoked

on a clear day during our three days of summer, and today. lks

tonyb · Mon Mar 31, 08 6:43 am

the carabiner is a BAD idea! Tell who ever is doing this to get rid of it now! You don't want anything that you can't undo under load. Far better to come unhooked accidentally than to not be able to release the kite when you need to. The QR on the chicken loop might not work or you might not be able to get to it. A guy died here just the other day because he couldn't dump the kite. Have him read the forum's if he doesn't want to listen to you. Be careful and kite safe!

Tony

forrest · Mon Mar 31, 08 8:01 am

Yea, I rode all last season with no donkey dick as do most people who ride naish. You get used to it and then never think about it again. I don't really use the ones I have on the liquid force bars now.

stringy · Since 23 Jun 2006 1738 Posts vancouver XTreme Poster

being at skyline recently I witnessed a couple of riders using a carabiner. At first thought I was disturbed that one would lock themselves in with their control bar. Unless you are absolutely positive that your safety release will perform under any load in any situation, I would refrain from locking in. Anyhow the riders that were using this were probably more advanced snowkiters that have been doing it for a while. I suggest you stick with the stock safety setup until you reach a point of confidence that allows you to make adjustments to your gear.
Naish does provide a donkey stick that attaches to your spreader bar as opposed to your chicken loop. You might see if the local Naish retailer can help you out there as well. Easiest fix is to go to SS retailer and swap that one out. Keep using the stock setup. That way you haven't changed your equipment and the process remains the same. Actually purchase two so you are prepared for it to happen in another 8 sessions.
Not sure if that wear is normal, SS might be able to help you out with that one. I would think that it would last longer, but everything works differently at colder temps and what works good in the summer time in water, is most likely going to work in winter, but possibly not handle the elements as well.

mkiteboard · Since 23 Oct 2007 17 Posts

cant you just pull the safety am i missing something

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3754 Posts PDX-LA Videographer

You could pull the quick release... and it'd probably work, but the one time the metal "bar" on the Lock-N-Load catches the carabiner, you're screwed.

Sol-flyer · Mon Mar 31, 08 9:06 pm

holy colin!!

that looks pretty dangerous, It only takes a hundreth of a second to get into trouble. How fast can you get that un-done? A saftey quick realease would help fo sho. Here's some shots of the zip-tie idea, it works pretty good, and you can pull that out just as fast as any DD. (imo)