Beetle Assembly Question

Just got a Beetle. One of the things I noted in assembly is that it is a 'bear' to put the leading edges into the nose piece. Is there a trick to doing this that I am missing? Thanks,

Roger, Are the leading edges tensioned? I found it was a whole lot easier to get the LE rods into the nose piece if you tension the leading edges AFTER you insert the rods into the nose. Of course I didn't figure this out until after I ripped the sail and pulled the nose loose :o(

******************************************************* **************** Roger I too had the same problem and happened to run into John Martin (Mr. Dynakite) at Newport last year and he showed a good way to do it. I'll try to explain his method. Hold the leading edge (on the side you're trying to assemble) very tightly with one hand at the lower leading edge connector. Hold the nosepiece in your other hand and pull your hands apart 'til you can just start the end of the leading edge into the nosepiece at an angle and then 'roll' the nosepiece toward being in line and it'll slip right in. Takes a little practice, but it works. Disassembly is just the reverse - Take the same grip and pull and 'roll' the nosepiece off the leading edge. Hope this makes sense. Art - The Kite Nut

Steve Hall is right, loosen the sail tension at the leading edge, re tighten after you've put he LE into the nose piece. You'll find that 'things' stretch a bit after you've flown it a few times and it will become a lot easier to assemble and disasemble, When it gets too easy just remove the caps and put more tension on the sail. Pray for Wind! The Old Man on the Beach

the best way to assemble a beetle is to pull off thend caps at the bottom of the leading edge and undo the tensioning line, then when you have 'sorted' the nose fitting, replace the tension line and end caps. hope this helps

I found that it is better to hold the leading edge lower (where the leading edge connector is) and pulling down while turning the tip connect at a 45 to the end of the leading edge spar. My son has no problems now that we do it this way!

If your right handed! Put the left side spar into the tip connector first. Then grab the tip with your left hand and the leading edge spar at the stop located top opening on the upper edge or where the bridle connects on the top of the leading edge of the spar. Pull down and while doing this tilt the nose connector at a 45 angle and parallel with the sail. It comes out harder than it goes in!

Left handed reverse this process.

Kite flying should be relaxing and not frustrating. Enjoy your flight!

I forgot to add the following coments:

There is no need to disassemble the kite (line or end caps) just more work involved.

But note: Put the leading edge into the nose piece before you assemble the cross spars!

Actually, the best way to assemble a Beetle is to follow the instructions that come with it.

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Hi Don - Did you read my answer before you wrote yours? We're both telling him the same thing and you're right - do NOT bother undoing the tip connections - just a lot of extra work. Art - The Kite Nut.