SX/SXi/SXi Pro Metal Plates in the PRO hull as well?!

[98SXIPRO]

when i cut the rear of my tray to allow for the X2 nozzle to tilt up, i realized i was cutting into a 1/4" thick plate. the plate i cut might have been "overrun" from where the pump housing mounts too. ive never seen those kinda plates. im sure kawasaki put those in there to help it ride through the chop, but if ur goin for lightweight, might aswell cut em out! if u have a strong magnet u could prolly just run it along the sides of the ski to find out exactly where they are(and how many there are).

 

[Kawikazi]

Got to playing with a magnet and look what I found as well..friggin 3, 3/16 steel plates two of which were stuck together. This is a 92 sx hull. I guess all 750's have these plates. There on the same side as the one found in the bow, starboard. Which makes me think that Kawasaki placed these here to counter balance the ski from the heavy oem cast exhuast system and waterbox on port side. I always elimnate my waterbox on these and use a silencer and coffman pipe on the 750's. Now I Know why they always have the "mystery lean" to the right....and to think that as long as Ive been cutting on these things I'm just figuring this out. They're pretty heavy so if your cutting, glassing and/or looking to shave some weight, they're heavy enough that they're worth the little bit of work. I feel like I just relieved my ski of a bad tumor!

 

[sxipro02]

I haven't looked at the back half of my ski yet but I can say there is deffinately not any plates or metal in the front half.
I've really been thinking of moving the battery to the left side where the waterbox should be. It would help with the lean and be alot more accessible with my silencer.

 

[Kawikazi]

I'm doing the same with my Batt.

 

[Ram- man]

yea i just cut up my hull and found the four metal plates, the font to plates were thiker and heaver then the rear ones on my 92 sx. but they definitly make the ski lean for sure. I could find a real good way to get them out either besides pring them out. I did weigh in the metal plates and the ones in my ski weighted in around 8 pounds all total. The rear plates are definitly right behind the bulkhead, on the bottom deck right were the exhaust tube starts to bend down to go out the rear




if you look at this picture you can see that on the right side where the exahust used to be there is a fiberglass patch, that were the weights were on my ski

 

[Kawikazi]

yea i just cut up my hull and found the four metal plates, the font to plates were thiker and heaver then the rear ones on my 92 sx. but they definitly make the ski lean for sure. I could find a real good way to get them out either besides pring them out. I did weigh in the metal plates and the ones in my ski weighted in around 8 pounds all total. The rear plates are definitly right behind the bulkhead, on the bottom deck right were the exhaust tube starts to bend down to go out the rearView attachment 148957




if you look at this picture you can see that on the right side where the exahust used to be there is a fiberglass patch, that were the weights were on my ski

Great exhaust work there man. Might hafta do one that way.

 

[509freerider]

So are the plates directly bonded to the inside of the hull or are they laminated into the smc? I just don't see how I could miss something like that in my SXI? I have literally been in every inch of that ski and have never seen any. The only reason I worry I missed them is I have the gangsta lean on my ski. Wife's gonna come home and find me with a sawsall and the ski in peices looking for these plates one day! Ram-man cool exhaust by the way!

 

[sxipro02]

Gangsta lean, Ya I have that too. Has anyone tried moving the battery over to the other side? I thought it would help tons if not fix the issue. Im sure it dosent matter but I hate seeing it floating like it has downs syndrome

 

[Kawikazi]

So are the plates directly bonded to the inside of the hull or are they laminated into the smc? I just don't see how I could miss something like that in my SXI? I have literally been in every inch of that ski and have never seen any. The only reason I worry I missed them is I have the gangsta lean on my ski. Wife's gonna come home and find me with a sawsall and the ski in peices looking for these plates one day! Ram-man cool exhaust by the way!

Yea mine was bonded with that same greyish epoxy found in other parts of the hull. Find a good magnet and slide it in the same general area. You'll find it. It may not stick but you can feel a slight pull when the magnet is slid across it.

 

[Kawikazi]

Hey I have a handful of 750 hulls and I just grabbed the magnet and checked them all and they ALL have the plates. So those of you who have 750's and didn't find it, its because you missed it. Let it be known

 

[sxipro02]

Got any pics of the front plate? I'm really wanting to know where this thing is.

 

[sxipro02]

Gangsta lean, Ya I have that too. Has anyone tried moving the battery over to the other side? I thought it would help tons if not fix the issue. Im sure it dosent matter but I hate seeing it floating like it has downs syndrome

I was just chatting with some guys from the body shop next to my shop, he suggested trying to bond the battery tray with 3m structural adhesive. They use it to glue on roofs and other body panels on cars so it might hold the tray down on the left side of the ski even though it wont be completely flush. What do you pros think?

 

[Ram- man]

Thanks for the compliments, but if you switch over the battery tray, wont the exhaust be in the way

 

[sxipro02]

nope, thats the issue, I ditched the water box and run a mod pipe with a silencer right next to the carbs. Just a big void on the left side now.

 

[afraz1er]

old thread bump so i can find it after work

 

[Mcarp6]

nope, thats the issue, I ditched the water box and run a mod pipe with a silencer right next to the carbs. Just a big void on the left side now.

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I'll get a picture of mine I just took them licoriceers out yesterday in the front. Damn they are heavy. I never realized they were there until I started doing Tubbies and upon dripping them in I hit a wall. I said WTF ??? I look and what do you know 2 big heavy metal plates .

 

[X2Pilot]

I am surprised no one recommended to just buy a superjet.

 

[Sxirider44]

I am surprised no one recommended to just buy a superjet.

Hahah too funny but so true on every kawi thread lol

 

[Sxirider44]

Bump where are the two front plates ? Mine already has tubbies so I may not be able to cut them out but I will be cutting out the rear ones if I decide to defoam my ski this winter

 

[2small]

Wanted to let people know my 1998 sxi pro had the metal plates on the right side of the ski riding just behind the bulkhead tucked up in the corner hard to see unless you defoam allot.