1997 SPX Restore - Reluctantly

[etemplet]

I may as well give this "BOMB" its own thread. What a pile of crap. I posted parts for this ski a couple months ago when I was coerced by the group to restore this one. I have a Miller built mild race engine and gray box to go with it. Factory Pipe with solenoids, buckshot intake and Carbs, whatever cool nozzle everyone keeps trying to buy off me and I'm sure the impeller and all that is matched to the ski. I'm opting to build the 1997 SPX Hull over the 96XP. It's either or but I thought the SPX hull would be an easier prep. It might be easier but it needs painting. It's ugly. So thus far... it's gutted, almost all stickers removed and lightly scuffed. Lots of work to do... I'm mulling over the colors... easiest is to stay stock on the colors. We'll see.








It isn't pretty... it's WET.




I've cleaned a couple of hoods and they don't last. I'm going to paint this one. If I was smart I'd stay with the yellow. We'll see.

 

[burtshaver2021]

Hi Etemplete, I’m looking forward to following along here with your restoration. Have you ridden the X4 hull before?

 

[etemplet]

Hi Etemplete, I’m looking forward to following along here with your restoration. Have you ridden the X4 hull before?

Yes I had a 1996 SPX 717 which I really liked. Then I restored a 1996 XP. Those are like dirt bikes in making my arms hurt from holding on. I know I'm not gonna like riding the ski I'm building now. Mat Braley (race guru) says this ski, without the performance engine, would run in the low 60's and get there really quick.

This was a really fun ski !! I'm told this was an X4 hull.



I painted this one... the upper hull was in terrible shape. My wife put the graphics on for me. The guy I sold this ski to is still beating crap out of it. LOL It's been a few years. LOL

 

[mikidymac]

Buff and polish. I don't see anything that requires paint?

 

[etemplet]

Well, I have the top section sanded pretty good. Not much left to do for paint prep. I'm working on the bottom now, cleaning it up. This thing sure is light without then engine and all that stuff in there. I have a load of go fast parts for this ski and just pulled the R&D trims and intake grate off the 96XP. I'll give more effort to polish the bottom but I will likely paint it as it is so easy with the ski in this position. I'm thinking Black because I like the look of the 98 SPX. We'll see.




The hull is wet so it isn't that pretty. beware of pictures of jets skis when the ski has just been washed. LOL

 

[mikidymac]

Wetsand and polish, I have done some that looked worse than that and look like new. If it looks good wet it will look great sanded and polished.
But if you really like painting go for it, I hate it.

 

[etemplet]

Muhaaahaaaaaa !!!! Let the games BEGIN !!!

 

[mikidymac]

Slowly step away from the paint gun.....
Now grab the buffer and polish......