- Wed Sep 09, 2009 5:48 pm
#141449
CAL,
Most harness zippers in pods are installed with Velcro. You can ease your mind about a zipper getting jammed by going to the fabric store, and buying some new Velcro. It comes in black, white, and colors. Peel the existing Velcro (and zipper) partially out of the harness, and install a "dummy" strip (or strips) of new Velcro, where the zipper Velcro meets the harness Velcro. The new "dummy" strip should engage the zipper Velcro. You can use either the hooks, or the pile strips here; you do not use the other half (save that for the other side of the harness). Use these "dummy" strips near the knee area of the harness zipper, and as far down the harness as you may wish.
This "dummy" strip reduces the holding power of the harness Velcro. You can cut the "dummy" strips (either the hooks or pile) into narrower strips, to give you as much or as little holding power there as you may want. By trial and error, while hanging in the garage, you can adjust this holding power of the harness zipper to your needs. You should have enough holding power there to zip up and hold your legs comfortably, yet have a weak enough bond to let you push one knee out, then the other knee, peeling the Velcro apart, in case the zipper ever gets stuck. The zipper can still be stuck (closed), but then you can still get your legs out, and land normally.
You can easily reverse any adjustments that you make, later. Just add or subtract some of the "dummy" strips, to get exactly what you want there, for the Velcro holding power.
Lubricate a zipper with two swipes of hard clear wax (not soft, oily candle wax). Some pilots want to use a spray lube, but on any zipper, spray the lube on a cloth or paper towel first, and use the towel to wipe the lube only exactly where you want it.
Hope that helps.
Most harness zippers in pods are installed with Velcro. You can ease your mind about a zipper getting jammed by going to the fabric store, and buying some new Velcro. It comes in black, white, and colors. Peel the existing Velcro (and zipper) partially out of the harness, and install a "dummy" strip (or strips) of new Velcro, where the zipper Velcro meets the harness Velcro. The new "dummy" strip should engage the zipper Velcro. You can use either the hooks, or the pile strips here; you do not use the other half (save that for the other side of the harness). Use these "dummy" strips near the knee area of the harness zipper, and as far down the harness as you may wish.
This "dummy" strip reduces the holding power of the harness Velcro. You can cut the "dummy" strips (either the hooks or pile) into narrower strips, to give you as much or as little holding power there as you may want. By trial and error, while hanging in the garage, you can adjust this holding power of the harness zipper to your needs. You should have enough holding power there to zip up and hold your legs comfortably, yet have a weak enough bond to let you push one knee out, then the other knee, peeling the Velcro apart, in case the zipper ever gets stuck. The zipper can still be stuck (closed), but then you can still get your legs out, and land normally.
You can easily reverse any adjustments that you make, later. Just add or subtract some of the "dummy" strips, to get exactly what you want there, for the Velcro holding power.
Lubricate a zipper with two swipes of hard clear wax (not soft, oily candle wax). Some pilots want to use a spray lube, but on any zipper, spray the lube on a cloth or paper towel first, and use the towel to wipe the lube only exactly where you want it.
Hope that helps.
CAL wrote:blindrodie wrote:Cool...No, i was up for an hour i should have , i was to busy working thermals , i was working with vg a lot. ok no more excuses . i well tell the truth it freaks me out zipping up my landing gear for fear of getting the zipper stuck when it is time to land . when i first took up the sport in 76-81 i flew with Knee hangers and my landing gear was always free . now that i am back it feels so weard to have them all zipped up .
So did you ever zip up?
thanks to you i am now motivated to zip up . i know it well be more comfortable and get better performance , Thanks Blindrodie
Cheers,
........Red.........................
Pssst! New pilot? Free advice, maybe worth the price,
https://user.xmission.com/~red/ <<--COPY & PASTE this URL into your browser
H4, Moyes X2, Falcon Tandem, HES Tracer, Quantum 'chute. USHPA #28198
........Red.........................
Pssst! New pilot? Free advice, maybe worth the price,
https://user.xmission.com/~red/ <<--COPY & PASTE this URL into your browser
H4, Moyes X2, Falcon Tandem, HES Tracer, Quantum 'chute. USHPA #28198