Just picked up an X4! 1997 SPX
Hey everyone, new guy here to the forum. (I chose to write my intro here in the 2 strokers area because I figured more people here would see it/care/identify with me).
So last week I picked up my first Seadoo. A 94 SPX that ran great on the trailer. Well I quickly learned my lesson on that one. Fortunately for me the guy never got around to sorting out the title so I took it back, and got my money back.
Then, through sheer chance, I came across a 1997 SPX. Not for sale, not not for sale. In a garage. On a very nice trailer. With a cover. This thing had been taken care of. I talked to the owner and said I was interested but not until a test ride. I had cash in hand. (And a new battery from the last deal that fell through). It ran ok, I had a few concerns but nonetheless $950.00 later I was towing it home. I took the boat home, got all the licensing taken care of, filled what was left of the seafoamed tank up and took it out for the first real ride. It ran ok. It certainly wasn't slow. It just, wasn't perfect. So I ran most of that gas out of it. The thing is a blast. I mean it goes fast just fine. Its the half speed stuff it doesn't like. (It also doesn't like towing my buddies old seadoo across the river cause he ran his out of gas. Or maybe I just didn't like that). I fell off of it. A lot! I pissed off all the hillbillys fishing off the boat ramp. (On purpose). I sprayed my buddy. I fell off some more. I had a lot of fun, but still had some worries.
So back at home, I started really looking at things. And, here's a few issues with it.
1. I was told that the trim still worked, although the gauge didn't. (Not enough experience to even be able to tell). It doesn't. The black plastic case marked VTS was full of water and the electric motor is all kinds of corroded. (I've figured out riding position and speed and I'm able to live with this for the rest of the season).
2. Grey Tempo lines. I know, I know. They'll be gone after the seasons up.
3. When I plug the key in, it doesn't beep. THIS worries me. It is the DESS ignition.
4. It smells a bit. I don't know what's normal here. But I would compare it to a dirt bike. Not too smoky. Very little smoke actually. I figure rings are due for a change out and plan to.
5. I don't think the RAVE valves have ever been cleaned. I didn't take them apart all the way, but they seem to operate by hand smoothly. This too, I hope to hold off on until winter.
At this time I also changed the plugs out and siphoned as much of the gas out of the tank as I could. Ran it at the lake and it performed exceptionally. Getting pretty good at the 360's! It really screams if I sit up against the bars. Although there still seems to be an occasional hiccup that's surely fuel or carburetor related.
And that's my new Seadoo. Any information or links would be great. Thanks everyone!
Hey everyone, new guy here to the forum. (I chose to write my intro here in the 2 strokers area because I figured more people here would see it/care/identify with me).
So last week I picked up my first Seadoo. A 94 SPX that ran great on the trailer. Well I quickly learned my lesson on that one. Fortunately for me the guy never got around to sorting out the title so I took it back, and got my money back.
Then, through sheer chance, I came across a 1997 SPX. Not for sale, not not for sale. In a garage. On a very nice trailer. With a cover. This thing had been taken care of. I talked to the owner and said I was interested but not until a test ride. I had cash in hand. (And a new battery from the last deal that fell through). It ran ok, I had a few concerns but nonetheless $950.00 later I was towing it home. I took the boat home, got all the licensing taken care of, filled what was left of the seafoamed tank up and took it out for the first real ride. It ran ok. It certainly wasn't slow. It just, wasn't perfect. So I ran most of that gas out of it. The thing is a blast. I mean it goes fast just fine. Its the half speed stuff it doesn't like. (It also doesn't like towing my buddies old seadoo across the river cause he ran his out of gas. Or maybe I just didn't like that). I fell off of it. A lot! I pissed off all the hillbillys fishing off the boat ramp. (On purpose). I sprayed my buddy. I fell off some more. I had a lot of fun, but still had some worries.
So back at home, I started really looking at things. And, here's a few issues with it.
1. I was told that the trim still worked, although the gauge didn't. (Not enough experience to even be able to tell). It doesn't. The black plastic case marked VTS was full of water and the electric motor is all kinds of corroded. (I've figured out riding position and speed and I'm able to live with this for the rest of the season).
2. Grey Tempo lines. I know, I know. They'll be gone after the seasons up.
3. When I plug the key in, it doesn't beep. THIS worries me. It is the DESS ignition.
4. It smells a bit. I don't know what's normal here. But I would compare it to a dirt bike. Not too smoky. Very little smoke actually. I figure rings are due for a change out and plan to.
5. I don't think the RAVE valves have ever been cleaned. I didn't take them apart all the way, but they seem to operate by hand smoothly. This too, I hope to hold off on until winter.
At this time I also changed the plugs out and siphoned as much of the gas out of the tank as I could. Ran it at the lake and it performed exceptionally. Getting pretty good at the 360's! It really screams if I sit up against the bars. Although there still seems to be an occasional hiccup that's surely fuel or carburetor related.
And that's my new Seadoo. Any information or links would be great. Thanks everyone!
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