300/440/550 new to the scene, saying hey

[R35P3CT]

Hello everyone
I recently acquired two 550sx's from a family member that has let them sit for a couple years. One is a 92, the other a 94. I was told that one had an aftermarket pipe, but other than that I believe they are mostly stock.

The only information I got about the two skis is that one bogged every time it was ran, and the other broke the intake grate and had a clanking sound when running. They were then parked for a good three years(I have no idea if they were winterized properly)sitting outside through Nebraska winters.

I only have one picture as of now, and its doesnt show the condition of the skis very well since the emphasis was on the truck pulling them.

I look forward to learning all about the stand ups, this will be my first 2-stroke experience so it should be fun. I have worked on motorcycles/cars so I am not extremely worried and I have a couple friends that have rebuilt their stand ups.

The only other question I have of now is what are some good mods to do and where do people get parts for these nowadays?
I have found denniskirk, but other than that and using ebay I am having troubles finding parts.....

Thanks in advance, and i will try to get some decent pictures tomorrow.
Tony

 

[tipafew]

Hey Tony,
Welcome to the X!
Your addictions begins NOW.

You can a lot of times find parts right here on this site just by asking or searching. I even see a fair amount of old 550 parts on craigslist here locally. Start digging into them and let us know what you find out.

 

[B3IS]

Welcome bro, You can find just about any part new or used here. If you have any Q's about skis this is the place to find answers. Now the trick is to get those badboys working. Charge the batteries and lets see what you are working with.

 

[Joker]

Before I was told about this site I bought my engine rebuild kits and mods from atlantic jet sports they are pretty fair priced and have about everything you would need to get your ski running

 

[R35P3CT]

i have lucked out and am able to order any parts i want through my local motorsports dealer.( i get cost plus 5%, so its fairly cheap for parts) ;P

havent been able to get them charged up and see if they will run yet, been busy at work and its late by the time i get off and dont want to wake the neighbors. haha
Going to build a cheap shop stand for them tonight out of some free 2x4's i got from a buddy.

i have some more pictures i will post after work.

 

[R35P3CT]

decals arent in the greatest condition, i plan on getting them painted eventually

and ya the turf has seen better days

westcoast waterbox is about the only think i can tell is different from the other one.

appears that the nose has hit the trailer a couple times while loading. hopefully it doesnt leak.....

I have some new kill switches on the way for them, I just didnt want to try and rely on them circling...
looks to have the stock exhaust pipes, so I kinda want to get full pipes but would settle for a couple half pipes for them both.
been looking at getting some r&d aquavien intake grates for them both too.
maybe some flame arrestors from k&n..

 

[gageski101]

i would get factory half pipes.http://www.factorypipe.com/p_kawasaki.php. best pipe for a 550. and you have the reed valve 550s which are better than the older piston port models(1982-1990)

 

[R35P3CT]

i would get factory half pipes.http://www.factorypipe.com/p_kawasaki.php. best pipe for a 550.

damn! they aint cheap!

 

[cookn]

I have a factory half pipe and they do work great and are hard to come by used, the coffman climax half pipe is even better design but even harder to find. There is one on ebay right now.
http://cgi.ebay.ca/Kawasaki-550-550...Personal_Watercraft_Parts&hash=item4aaca51fe5

 

[R35P3CT]

i will have to keep my eye out for some pipes

this is what i did today before work:

still needs some bracing and to put the casters on, but I ran out of my free screws so this is all the farther i got.

 

[R35P3CT]

Might be picking up a complete parts 550 tomorrow. A buddy has one without paperwork that is just taking up space in his garage....

 

[cookn]

The more parts you can collect for these things the better, because not if but when you break down you won't be off the water for long.

 

[crazy4sand]

i have a factory half pipe no hardware make offer + shipping .. ( Pm) and im in vegas

 

[R35P3CT]

i have a factory half pipe no hardware make offer + shipping .. ( Pm) and im in vegas

pm sent

 

[R35P3CT]

put some of these nice new kill switches on today.

 

[R35P3CT]

well got one of them running today. new gas and new battery. I was wondering tho, is there a way to run these in my driveway with water running through to keep the heat down. I dont plan on running them for a long time, just like maybe a minute. I just didnt know how good starting them dry is for it.

 

[Fleabags]

buy one of these or go to the hardware store and you can buy the pieces to rig one up:

Then you can run it as long as you want.

 

[WFO Speedracer]

Yes you can buy flush kits and run them on a hose.

 

[suva]

Make sure you start the ski BEFORE you turn the water on and turn the water off before you shut the ski off.

 

[Riding The Right Way]

Make sure you start the ski BEFORE you turn the water on and turn the water off before you shut the ski off.

This is not under enough enfisisum (yeah, I cant spell I know) But this is super important...!!!!!!!!!