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Identify this ski..

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Yes that looks like a 1997 Spx, yes it has the 787/800
Sweet looking setup
 
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It looks like it says spx, the only year that the spx had that color scheme was 97 and it had an 800
 
^ I know, right.

Just called him. Said it will start and run for a minute or so, and that "oil shoots out one of the cylinders"... LOL.

I asked if I could do a comp test on it, we'll see about that later.

He said he's got another buyer at $800, but I'm feeling more like $5-600 if the comp checks out. Colville is a logging style town, so I wouldn't be surprised if it need a ton of love on the outside, and the standard going through. Like fuel lines, change out the outboard oil it's been running...etc.
 
I'd be willing to bet this picture is old and they prolly look nothing like the picture by now. The hose looks to be connected to the motor In the sportster, so that means it was running.(aka over 3 years ago)
 
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^ I know, right.

Just called him. Said it will start and run for a minute or so, and that "oil shoots out one of the cylinders"... LOL.

I bought an older xp a couple years ago that was sitting in non-running condition for a several years before I bought it. When I spun it over the PTO side spit oil out the hole. Drove it that year & put it away for the winter. Pulled it out in spring & only enough oil to make it smoke a bit & that was it. It really wasn't much of a leaker. If the inner crank seals have the slightest leak, they can spit some serious oil after years of sitting with a slow drip from them. hopefully the oil doesn't give you a false "high" comp reading.

Good luck!
 
^ Isn't that a normal launch??

Been doing it for a while now. Still not sure why everyone on the beach claps and hoots when I do it....
 
I'd be willing to bet this picture is old and they prolly look nothing like the picture by now. The hose looks to be connected to the motor In the sportster, so that means it was running.(aka over 3 years ago)


Thought the same thing... They all look pretty clean in the pics. Only a look-see will tell.
 
^ Isn't that a normal launch??

Been doing it for a while now. Still not sure why everyone on the beach claps and hoots when I do it....

Ha! Probably gonna need one of Minnetonka4me's aerials to load them back up though....
 
If it turns over, could it clear the majority of the oil and give a better reading?

Or, if it's in decent shape, do I just pull the trigger and take a chance?
 
You can take a compression reading, but the problem is the oil gets all over the rings & can fill small scratches in the cylinder walls You could have 150+ PSI on the gauge after clearing out most of the oil, but then after its up, running & really cleared out of all the extra oil it could actually drop as low as 120. You just never know. By all means check it to make sure theirs nothing really wrong, but don't assume 150 PSI means its all good either. Not trying to be pesimistic, but it could happen.

With 4-stroke engines that have low compression, it was common for guys to dump some oil in the cylinders to see if the compression would go up. If it did, the rings were failing, if it didn't it was more than likely the valves. old school trick.


If its a really nice ski otherwise, it might be worth nabbing. But your the one taking the risk, so the price has got to be to your advantage. Oil in the case, yep the crank seals are leaking. Might need a crank, but might just be 3-4 years of weeping oil thats no big deal at all. Compression checks good, might be a strong top end, but it might be lower than 130 & masked by the oil.

I guess I would go into it it knowing those things could be wrong. If they're not, its a bonus! If there bad, your not overly dissaponted. most guys won't pay more than $200-$300 for a non running ski of that vintage, but if its really nice otherwise you could up it a little more IMO.

BTW: I doubt there's a buyer at $800, or he wouldn't be talking to you about it. That's probably his way of telling you what he wants. Half that price could be "iffy"
 
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600 is a good buy. As long as it is really clean and the electrical is good. A new motor is only $1000. So if it is worse case scenario and you need to replace the motor you will have a good clean machine that will last at least 10 more years for $1600. Look at prices in you area for running 800 machines. My guess is they are in the $1500-$1800 range and you have no idea of the condition of the motor.
 
Oof, if only that's all that they would bring. It's not uncommon for a X-4 with an 800 in good condition to net $2500-3000 around here... Just the way it is.
 
BTW: I doubt there's a buyer at $800, or he wouldn't be talking to you about it. That's probably his way of telling you what he wants. Half that price could be "iffy"[/QUOTE]



I figured as much too. The classic "I have a guy ready to buy it for....."
 
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