1997 XP & SPX “restoration”

[username0048]

I have no idea what I’m doing.

Last summer, we went out on the lake with a buddy. He had a pontoon and two jet skis. Kids & everyone had a great time and started asking if we could get jet skis. I’m semi-mechanically inclined…or just dumb enough to start taking things apart, so I figured used skis would be best. And I didn’t want to spend a ton of money on something I’m not sure we’ll get a lot of use out of. We’re about an hour from the lake.

Found a good deal ($1,000) for two skis and trailer. Guy said the skis had been in the water in 2025, so I figured the wouldn’t be that bad.

Then life laughed at me. From Sept to Jan, these two sat in the driveway. I ordered fuel lines but didn’t have time to touch them.

Last week I took them to WaveTech Motorsports in Dry Ridge KY. Paulie and Anthony went through both skis and gave me a report.

No maintenance had been done, so both needed vts bellows, carb rebuilds, fuel lines, rave rebuilds, spark plugs, fuel float, drain old fuel, wear ring, etc

The SPX also needed a new electrical box, seals.

The XP needs a top end and starter.

Paulie and Anthony went ahead and did the SPX. I’m going back out Wednesday to pick up both skis.

I don’t have a lot of pics, but I'm going to start taking off decals and cleaning up the SPX when it gets back. I’m also making a list of parts to start ordering for the XP. I plan to have them both in the water this summer.

Trailer also needs to be rewired and bunks need replaced.

I don't know what I'll end up doing with these, but I do hate the yellow.

 

[username0048]

1997 SPX

This one should be ready for the water (mechanically). Going to work on getting it cleaned up, remove the stickers, and see where it goes from there.

Carbs have been cleaned, fuel lines replaced, rear electrical box cleaned up, VTS bellow replaced (VTS doesn't work), wear ring was replaced, and the rave bellows were replaced.

 

[username0048]

1997 XP

I have carb rebuild kits and rave rebuild kits on the way. I'll be replacing the VTS bellow, fuel lines, and it's going to need a top end. I'm hoping to pull the cylinders and take a look at them this week/weekend. There's a small engine shop not far from me that can machine the cylinders if they need it.

 

[burtshaver2021]

Shop do any work to them or just look them over,

 

[username0048]

Shop do any work to them or just look them over,

WaveTech did all the work on the SPX. 155psi on both cylinders.

They looked over the XP, but I wanted to do some of the work on my own.

 

[username0048]

We got a little work done this evening.

 

[username0048]

 

[username0048]

Got all the stickers off the SPX…

 

[username0048]

On to the XP - can the cylinders be machined, or am I better off with new ones? There’s a very good machine shop not 20 minutes from me…

Not sure what the pink goop is (coolant?)

 

[burtshaver2021]

Yes, The pink stuff is most likely the biodegradable antifreeze that a lot of us use to winterize these for cold climate storage. Absolutely you can have those cylinders machined but you will need new over sized pistons and rings if you bore the cylinders. I would take the cylinders to the machine shop before buying anything, let them hav a look at it and tell you what oversized you need, .25mm over or .5 mm over. They can also tell you if the machine is presently using stock size pistons. Then after they have told you what to purchase take the new pistons and rings to them with the cylinders and I would also take the spec sheet from the manual as well to them so they get clearance correct. Also mention to them about chamfering the ports as a lot of people miss that