RESTO 1997 SPX Build

[dgoodwin10]

My new BT mats came in:

And even though it's dark, cold and raining I had to throw on my new hump seat. Sorry for the bad pics... I was too excited to wait!

My 2 keeper X4s are all tucked away for the winter.

Time to plan for next season!

 

[mikidymac]

Those mats look great.
Better order some Poppy covers for those skis.

 

[dgoodwin10]

Those mats look great.
Better order some Poppy covers for those skis.

Those are a little rich for my blood at the moment. These are some $30 covers I found on eBay that have been great for the price so far. I only use them for storage, so them being a little baggy doesn't bother me.

 

[dgoodwin10]

The time has come to start prepping for warm weather, so the 97 SPX is back in the garage to get a painted yellow hood (note the paint), traction mats installed and the exhaust leak fixed.

Also noteworthy in this picture is my recent purchase- a 98 SPX. The PO plasti-dipped the ENTIRE upper hull, so I'm in the process of getting that off. It's got a rebuilt motor, bars, throttle, recovered seat (which I changed out to the one you see here) K&N FAs, 3 button holder, solas grate and came with a like new tandem trailer. I paid $2k for the package, which isn't an absolute steal of a deal, but I'm very satisfied with it.

 

[mikidymac]

Dump those K&N air filters. We tried them back in the 90's and as soon as they got wet they act like a sponge and flow absolutely no air. They were a dumb idea considering when was the last time you sucked up dirt and dust when you were out on the water.

 

[dgoodwin10]

Good to know. I was already considering it, but you just sealed the deal there.

 

[Matt Braley]

Heck man I would have sold you a nice X4 on a double trailer for 2K. I don't have any 98's at the moment though. I guess it's time for me to throw some options out there on CL.

 

[dgoodwin10]

Got a purple SPI hood scuffed, primed and painted.

 

[1of500]

Looking good

 

[mikidymac]

That looks awesome.

 

[dgoodwin10]

Thanks guys. I used the John Deere yellow with a Rustoleum Ultimate Bond primer and I'm pleased with the results, though I still plan to wet sand and clear the hood. I couldn't help but throw it on to see what it looks like:

 

[Sloanman7]

i have painted two hoods with the john deere yellow and i came up with two end results...this can from Lowes looked more like a satin finish. and this can from Menards looked more like glass,high gloss. both same color yellow. i wasn't expecting this outcome, just stumbled on it by mistake.

 

[dgoodwin10]

i have painted two hoods with the john deere yellow and i came up with two end results...this can from Lowes View attachment 39127 looked more like a satin finish. and this can from Menards View attachment 39128 looked more like glass,high gloss. both same color yellow. i wasn't expecting this outcome, just stumbled on it by mistake.

Interesting. I used the 'Lowes' can (from Tractor Supply actually). I do like the finish since its got an almost identical sheen to the factory plastic yellow. I still think I'm going full gloss in the end though.

 

[AdamXP800]

Looking good Dan

 

[dgoodwin10]

Looking good Dan

Thanks!

I got a few things done this weekend, mostly just a good wash followed by a quick buff job.

Traction mats installed (still debating on adding the BT logo...probably not):

Applied some speed parts:

And stuck the SPX back on my trailer to get some room back in the garage. All that's really left is to add a gauge back in the hood, which I have to make the tool to do that. My trusty tow rig is a 1992 Yamaha Big Bear we've had since 1999. Id's take it over a new unit any day!

 

[Matt Braley]

That's a nice looking X4. Those mats look great but I understand leaving the BT off. I'm sure you could find something cool to cut an oval out of.

 

[Ankeneyou]

My BT elite mats came with both the logo as well as the original oval plug so you could use either.

 

[dgoodwin10]

My BT elite mats came with both the logo as well as the original oval plug so you could use either.

They did. I have both.

 

[dgoodwin10]

That's a nice looking X4. Those mats look great but I understand leaving the BT off. I'm sure you could find something cool to cut an oval out of.

Thanks for the compliment. It's what I've always wanted an X4 to look like. Just need to buy/swap some handling goodies onto it.

 

[1of500]

He's making carbon fiber x4 hulls with turbo spark motors also this was his prototype

 

[Ankeneyou]

He's making carbon fiber x4 hulls with turbo spark motors also this was his prototype

It's a little early to be hitting the booze Rob. Wrong thread?

 

[1of500]

Yeah driving

 

[dgoodwin10]

Yeah driving

Booze cruise? LOL

 

[snikwad003]

Yeah driving

Booze cruzin huffin refrigerant :cheers:

 

[dgoodwin10]

Well, yesterday was the first run of the season for the SPX.... And it lasted all of 10 minutes. After a good warm up, I got a little more aggressive with my riding when it began to bog and shut off. When the starter wouldn't turn it over to restart it, I knew I was in trouble. I got a tug back to shore and checked everything I could and it was still seized, so back on the trailer it goes until I can fix it. My gut tells me it's a bad crank bearing, but either way it's an original motor that will probably need a full rebuild.

To add to it, my 98 SPX had to be towed back to shore with an electrical problem and my freshly built 96 XP had a clogged pisser hose... At that point I stuck everything back on the trailer and went to doing yard work at the lake house. Sometimes you gotta know when to call it quits.