I made some handles the other day. Not really on a quest for a better handle. More like something fun to do while I am on holiday and it is cheaper.
I have often thought that my handles were a tad long when I was banging them on my tyres so I made them a bit shorter. I have 3 plastic Peter Lynn sets,one alloy PL set and a set of Plastic flexifoil handles that came with my blade 3. I used the flexi handles for an approximate angle (didn't unwind the line) and just made it a bit shorter. There was a week kink in the tube that I could have worked around but I decided that it was long enough and cut it at the kink.

The handle itself is aluminum tube from an old chair. Its the frame for the back of the chair and was bent just above the seat. I had to change the angle slightly. The foam is off a couple of kids scooters. The plastic caps on the bottom are from the chair and the ones on the top are from a tv aerial. The yellow cord for the brake line leaders is old guy ropes from a tent and the top is something I had lying around. Total cost $1.50 at the recycling shop at the dump.

I tried them yesterday in a crap wind riding on a soggy soccer field. They worked well and were comfortable to use. I had a stupidly short set of lines for the conditions but I could still snap a quick loop with my 3m even close to the ground. I was planning on another session today but I got caught up setting Matt's Nitro truck up for racing this weekend.

I am not expecting an awfully long life out of the foam.


I have wondered why we don't have the brake leaders coming from out of the bottom tip. It never worried me but it was a consideration when I planning. As I was not on any crusade for original design I ended up doing it the usual way.
When I was rummaging at the dump I saw a great end cap on a mop with a square loop of plastic on it for hanging it on a hook. I considered it for the lower tip but could not find a matching one. There were lots of mops and brooms with similar caps but no two alike and only one that fitted my tube. Maybe next time.

Any way they cost me $1.50. It was a good time in the workshop and its always nice to have something to look for at the dump.

The pic has a set of flexi handles to compare lengths.

awsome work, love the funky retro look....if i had my was theyd be anodises purple from the 1990 mountainbike era.
iv been making my handles from old mountain bike riser bars for a while



i find the weight quite nice and they are super easy on the hands. i made the handles to suit each kite and figoured out the minimum lenth the for the handle, ie a small kite uses less handle than a large one, so my small 2.2 kites have handles only about 19cm long.

not a single one has broken and i dont expect them to anytime soon, they come with the added perk that you can buy the endcaps from the bikeshop, but they would add up to more than $1.50 all by them selvs.

Good job on the handle from the old chair they look great and its recycling at its best there. Though been a mountain biker as well I do like the idea of those handles made from the handle bars and next time i'm near around again bikes(secondhand bike shop) in ferrymead i'll pop in and see what they've got and have ago myself.

the shape is perfect, it keeps your fingers out of everything and also stops you having to cock your wrists as far when flying...i love them.

the alloy is soft and dosnt eat the leaders and some (like thoes pictured ) have this strange grip that comes from the anodising so you dont need grips atall, one pair i have are painted and dont grip very well, they need sanding to rought them up abit i think.

charlie what eles kiting related have you made?? i liked your gazibo idea from the moose made from that old paraglider...

i made a tent from an old trailer cover the other day, ats a baker tent






but havnt made the poles for it yet.

that was a good project...took 6 hours on the sewing machine.

Just since you asked Al. Sounds a bit vain but here is a list. I think I have forgotten a few things.

I make most of my stuff except for power kites, buggies and high performance sport kites. I could probably make those as well but I am too lazy.

I design windsocks and kites for Gombergkites.com.
I design and build single line kites and socks for my use.
We used to manufacture a small range but gave it away a while ago.
I have built plenty of custom kites and done oodles of repairs.

I make most of my buggy accessories.
I made my pegs from some bear trap pedals.
My foot straps are handles of an old sports bag.
I made my mud guard from an old barrel.
My skid plate.
My new seat is a twice modified PL comp seat. Mad Mike had it modified and then I got it and made it fit my buggy. I made some pads for it.
My last seat I made from scratch. I made the pads from old trampoline pads and an old camping mattress.
I made a fork and downtube from a motor scooter wheel that I use at mooseland. It also has a mudguard and some strap extensions.
I made my butt harness and the one before that and I made up all my old backstraps except one.
I make strops for my handles out of a loop of cord that I sew together except for a loop for the larks head.
I have had to re-bridle and tune a bunch of power kites over the years and I do all my own repairs.

I make all my own banners and flags and stuff and I made that tent that I took to the moose.

My last project was yesterday. My daughter and I spent a day in the workshop building windsocks to take on her trip to Norway.
We made
1 x Fishtail
1 x Dolphin tail
2 x ring/bol
1 x umbrella bol
1 x cog
2 x long frilled sock.
We also made a rotosaurus for Kaiya's Kite bag.

I also have a kite collection that does not get exhibited much and I do a few other kiting things as well.

an i was stoaked with my tent effort.....my god watson, your an industry all in yourself....

that is indeed a list, i have seen your workshop tho, and im not suprised all that stuff has come out of it.

what is it with kiters (or buggiers) and sheds?? all of us are bloody tinkerers.

and we cant forget plummet, even tho hes a landboarder