- Location
- Arkansas
Just bought an '85 js550 and I have no idea what I'm doing
- Thread starter Onevette80
- Start date
- Location
- Arkansas
I didn't want to put any money in it until I had the chance to ride it a bit.
Finally got the chance last weekend.
Ski ran great on the bottom and mid end. It was still cold outside, and it didn't have a kill switch/lanyard or spring to turn bars if I fell off, so I only surpassed 3/4 throttle a couple times. I only stood up for a few seconds......
When I held it wide open for more than 3-4 secs, it'd fall on it's face. Can I assume this is due to a poor carb adjustment? Other suggestions?
It ran well enough that I went ahead and ordered a lanyard, new mat, decals(I used to paint cars), etc.
All those have been installed and I think it turned out pretty good.
I still need to replace battery and fab up some sort of cover for drive shaft. I assume there was some sort of cover over it originally?
Finally got the chance last weekend.
Ski ran great on the bottom and mid end. It was still cold outside, and it didn't have a kill switch/lanyard or spring to turn bars if I fell off, so I only surpassed 3/4 throttle a couple times. I only stood up for a few seconds......
When I held it wide open for more than 3-4 secs, it'd fall on it's face. Can I assume this is due to a poor carb adjustment? Other suggestions?
It ran well enough that I went ahead and ordered a lanyard, new mat, decals(I used to paint cars), etc.
All those have been installed and I think it turned out pretty good.
I still need to replace battery and fab up some sort of cover for drive shaft. I assume there was some sort of cover over it originally?
Attachments
- Location
- Arkansas
What else besides the card should I address on this classic ski?
While I'm quite mechanically inclined, I have NEVER worked on any PWC before.......
While I'm quite mechanically inclined, I have NEVER worked on any PWC before.......
- Location
- United States
Normally a carb rebuilt is the first thing you do to any new (to you) ski.
I assume it has a bn38 ?
But yes, full throttle falling flat usually needs to be richen-ed up on the high speed needle. Assuming there isnt something really wrong like a crank case leak.
They tuning required depends on the carb on the ski.
I assume it has a bn38 ?
But yes, full throttle falling flat usually needs to be richen-ed up on the high speed needle. Assuming there isnt something really wrong like a crank case leak.
They tuning required depends on the carb on the ski.
- Location
- Anchor Bay, MI
Take that snorkel and shoot it down to the water to keep it out of your face
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- Location
- Arkansas
The day I rode it around lake, the warmth provided by exhast was rather nice. Lol. It smells ALOT better than my trail rig(cj7), which has an exhaust leak or 8.
This ski does not have a "pisser". Absolutely zero holes in hull to tinkle from. I assume I just have extra water in water box. Maybe? I know I should buy a manual, but does anyone have a plumbing/electrical diagram?
I'll look at carb tomorrow and determine model.
It runs so well on the bottom end, I hate to rebuild it. I'd really rather not have to try to tune all three screws while also figuring out what "pop off" is.
Thanks
Ryan
- Location
- native idahoan
Post a pic of your engine bay
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- Location
- Stouffville, Ontario
Decals look amazing, nice way to bring the ski back to life. Lets see the engine bay.
Quinc
Buy a Superjet
- Location
- California
Everything you could ever want to know about your 550 and a downloadable manual:
http://www.pwctoday.com/showthread.php?t=40122
http://www.pwctoday.com/showthread.php?t=40122
Quinc
Buy a Superjet
- Location
- California
Also welcome to the forums and Jetskiing. It is a very addictive sport so starting looking for a second job now. 
- Location
- Arkansas
Also welcome to the forums and Jetskiing. It is a very addictive sport so starting looking for a second job now.
I already have two "jobs". But I also have 4 daughters, so I may need a 3rd job soon......
I'm a mechanical engineer in the firearms industry and also own my own business.
Not sure it's allowable here, but if you google arkweaponcoatings.......... :-D
- Location
- United States
Oo!
Off topic.
I'm an ME student. Any advice?
When's the last time you did calculus or differential equations!? Lol
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Off topic.
I'm an ME student. Any advice?
When's the last time you did calculus or differential equations!? Lol
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- Location
- Arkansas
Change major to speech pathology......
My wife came out of school starting at $55/hr. And if she'd let me handles the paperwork side, it'd been double that. In Arkansas, very best an ME is going to do is $65k right out of school.
Answer to second question.......... I use Chemistry on occasion. Thorough understanding of thermo and physics has been handy.
But mainly mechanics and materials. I haven't put pen to paper more than a dozen times in the 13 yrs I've been out of school.
Excluding the mechanical sketches on napkins, done while at lunch.
My dad is a brilliant EE who taught me most of the above before I graduated high school.
Most valuable skills you can have: learn to weld, run a mill/lathe, turn a wrench, right your own logic, not be too good to get your hands dirty!
Oh yeah, being able to tell surface finish with your eye is VERY handy.
And regardless of what the salesman says, A2 is just about the best tool steel for the mulla. lol
- Location
- United States
haha, Thanks.
Well past the major change part. I'm transferring to state college this fall.
I have built all of my skis from buckets of parts. So my hands are normally dirty. Running mills and lathes are skills I am chomping at the bit to learn.
I'm hoping to minor in CS to learn the programming side of things more in dept. I'm one of them drone pilots, yet the "nuts and bolts" of the programming stuff eludes me. Which is unacceptable.
Well past the major change part. I'm transferring to state college this fall.
I have built all of my skis from buckets of parts. So my hands are normally dirty. Running mills and lathes are skills I am chomping at the bit to learn.
I'm hoping to minor in CS to learn the programming side of things more in dept. I'm one of them drone pilots, yet the "nuts and bolts" of the programming stuff eludes me. Which is unacceptable.
- Location
- Arkansas
Buy yourself a rasberry pi, and teach yourself.
- Location
- United States
Got an arduino. And convinced my work to bring our product to the new century. So they were paying me to self learn that. Got far enough to convince them it was possible and feature rich. But not enough to finish before they outsourced it.
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