FX-1 stripped head bolt, handle pole bracket, need a pipe

[rivergirlz]

Any ideas appreciated.

I just bought a 94 FX1 and found a few problems with this "cherry" ski. I tried to check the head torque and found one of the bolts (front right) free spinning. Any ideas for a fix or am I stuck buying a new cylinder case?

I also noticed today when I took it out for a test ride that the handle pole bracket was cracked (not all way through...yet, opposite corners) Anyone out there change to a lowered bracket and have the stock one sitting around collecting dust? Looks like there will be glass work to do also, I found some hairline cracks around the bracket in the paint.

The aluminum handle pole (he said only 5 rides on it but painted it) he put on it is the one for the older super jet and appears to be 2" inches too long. The length matters I noticed after the ride, so I will be putting the stock one back on (alum pole is available is anyone wants to buy it)

When I bought it there was a little water in the hull. Seller said was from hosing it down. Wrong! Found the cracked exhaust pipe that he just put on it after selling his pipe. There was plenty of corrosion around the crack indicating it's been there awhile and it was missing a bolt.

I bought a girdle head from him that he said could run with the stock pipe ....but not. Now I'm looking for a pro-tec pipe(fx1) ( the only one they say that will work with head)so I can ride again. I may want a stock pipe for now if anyone has one of those lying around, Only need the chamber.

That's it for now until I tear more stuff apart

Thanks everyone (still happy to be a FX1 owner again after 10 years without one)

 

[Matt_E]

1. Stripped head bolt - you can drill the threads out a bit and put a helicoil or timesert in it. That's pretty easy to do, even with the engine in the ski.

2. Pole bracket - you can buy an aftermarket bracket or get a used stocker. That shouldn't cost too much (used stocker)

3. You can get a new exhaust pipe very cheaply. Stockers are extremely inexpensive used.

4. Depending on what girdled head it is, you might be able to buy a bracket for it that allows use of the stock pipe. What head is it?

 

[rivergirlz]

I think it's a protec c2 (I think but the guy I bought it from, with the ski, said C4, I have not been able to find a C4 listed anywhere)- the instructions say on the engine I have, you have to use their pipe and flame arrestor...is that a load of? The exhaust spacer/bracket that come with it does not quite line up right with the holes for the stock exhaust.

 

[kraqus]

So it wasn't "cherry" after all.....mmmmmm
Still that is one good looking FX-1....Welcome back to the jet ski world....frustrations, headaches and drained wallets....
But as soon as you go Braaapp!...it's all good, all good.
Take good care of her.....You seem to know what you are doing.

Ah! Welcome to THE Forum.....yes this is where is at, not the "other"..:shhh:


p.s: sorry I wish I could help you


Benny

 

[rivergirlz]

Well...that photo is pretty old. That is my first FX! that I bought new. This one does not look anything like it

 

[kraqus]

I know the one you bought....
I almost bought it myself...:banghead:


Benny

 

[rivergirlz]

I was not going to mention names or give that up. I know he knew about those problems, you would have to. I drove 7 hours to buy it, I would have bought it anyway but I would have liked the chance to fix some things before my river trip this week. I missed a day of riding after discovering those problems. The cracks are starting to spread onto the fiberglass so I will not ride it anymore without a new bracket. It is sweet to have a stand-up again. Now I have a winter project but I need to patch some things up for our Thanksgiving day trip. Thanks for the response.

 

[Idok]

follow matt E's post and then tackle the pump......

 

[95FX1]

^^ pump.....my enemy also.....

 

[rivergirlz]

heli-coil worked

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. The heli-coil worked, Got it torqued to 22 pounds! Thanks you for the used handle pole bracket and Protec found me enough old and new parts to put together a whole pipe system. All fixed up (as soon as I put everything back on)

 

[rivergirlz]

Oh yeah- He installed a pancake pete front foot hold. (it seemed cool) It's glassed on- over the electrical box access screws in the foot tray!!! Would have been nice if he left holes to get to them if you needed to lol Hope I don't need to do that project for awhile. The whole thing needs to come off or maybe make a template using another FX1 and try for access holes. He reversed all the wires in the electrical box and something is keeping the fuse from even coming out the hole in the engine compartment. Fun!

 

[Matt_E]

Glad you got it worked out.

 

[camojoe157]

Any ideas appreciated.

I just bought a 94 FX1 and found a few problems with this "cherry" ski. I tried to check the head torque and found one of the bolts (front right) free spinning. Any ideas for a fix or am I stuck buying a new cylinder case?

I also noticed today when I took it out for a test ride that the handle pole bracket was cracked (not all way through...yet, opposite corners) Anyone out there change to a lowered bracket and have the stock one sitting around collecting dust? Looks like there will be glass work to do also, I found some hairline cracks around the bracket in the paint.

The aluminum handle pole (he said only 5 rides on it but painted it) he put on it is the one for the older super jet and appears to be 2" inches too long. The length matters I noticed after the ride, so I will be putting the stock one back on (alum pole is available is anyone wants to buy it)

When I bought it there was a little water in the hull. Seller said was from hosing it down. Wrong! Found the cracked exhaust pipe that he just put on it after selling his pipe. There was plenty of corrosion around the crack indicating it's been there awhile and it was missing a bolt.

I bought a girdle head from him that he said could run with the stock pipe ....but not. Now I'm looking for a pro-tec pipe(fx1) ( the only one they say that will work with head)so I can ride again. I may want a stock pipe for now if anyone has one of those lying around, Only need the chamber.

That's it for now until I tear more stuff apart

Thanks everyone (still happy to be a FX1 owner again after 10 years without one)

If you really want to get into it with me about this ski lets do it. I did sell you a "cherry" ski and about everything that you have posted on this thread is full of holes and wrong information. So for starters-the ski only did have five rides on it and I know about twenty other people that either helped me put this ski together or saw it always in my garage(I'm sure they will chime in after this). Didn't know that the handlepole bracket was cracked but I am sure its not that bad because I would have seen it. The pancake pete front foothold is only riveted on with maybe 6 rivets so all you have to do if you need to access the ebox is un-rivot it...And also the wires are not all backwards in the e-box so that you can't access the fuse???? Sorry you are having trouble accessing the fuse maybe the msd ignition and coil are getting in the way(note to self next time remove msd ignition and coil before selling) If you remember that when you asked me if you could buy the head as well I told you that I was not sure it would work or not and I will call Pro-Tec. Well I called Pro-Tec then and I just called them again now and they said it will work. Also you and I looked together at the head next to the motor and I told you that to me it does not look like it will work so maybe you don't want to buy the head and you still bought it. Cracks in the fiberglass????Not sure what to think with this one but im sure its cracked paint and not fiberglass so look closer. You said there was water in the hull and I told you that it was from a hose. Well it was from a hose when I washed the motor down. Your right I did take the pipe off and sell it but you KNEW ALL of this before you left from L.A.. After reading all this crap you have put on here I wish that I wouldn't have sold it to you and I would have been better off selling it to Kraqus....This fx-1 had an aluminum ac pole(no more than 5 rides), pancake pete front foothold, msd ignition, msd coil, waterdawg kustom footwells, new turf, nice paintjob, finned rideplate, and scoop grate intake..Also I gave her the stock handlepole, and a brand new in box handlepole cover pad to match the ski from Blowsion..Also in the deal she got a used(no more than 5 times) C2 Pro-Tec full girdled head.....All this for $2,000.... So after all this that I just wrote you all know she got a screaming deal on this set-up and I cannot believe that I am looking through this thread and to read all her negative BS.. I'm almost laughing right now.. How about this bring my ski back up to Nor-Cal and I will buy it all back for $2000..then I will sell it to kraqus for $1400 and I will sell all the other aftermarket stuff on it and make all my money back...So long story but a short response from me If you would likerivergirl we can go over every bullet point......

Enjoy

 

[waterfly]

well I gotta call a big BS to the buyer.. I am the one who bought the pipe from that ski. I installed the stock manifold and pipe, and I did not forget any bolts... I am sure.. and the manifold or pipe wasnt cracked and didnt have any residue or curosion it was clean, all threads and bolts where installed

handlepole bracket cracked??? did you fall on your test ride?? I happend to be around during the paint process and reassembly and when it was put together it wasnt cracked.. and the aluminum pole thats on it is stock lenth.

as far as the pro-tec head only working with pro-tec exaust??? well the the pipe and manifold I took from the motor myself was from factory pipe brand new. and it ripped..

as far as the spinning head bolt?? but I personaly would wonder of the validity of that or how it really happend after reading all of the false information..

 

[rivergirlz]

you guys are funny

Well I really didn't want to get into it with you, that's why your name was never mentioned. I'll pass on the bullet points but

yes,

There are a few problems with the ski and I did not mention the name of the person I bought it from- you did. Since I have never posted pictures of the ski, no one would have known who's ski I bought. i would expect a 15 year old ski to have some issues. I also know that you knew about some of them, like the cracked exhaust pipe that you just put on after selling the aftermarket one, saying the water in the hull was from washing it was shady. After one ride, the same amount of water was in the hull again and I knew something was wrong. I think you just assumed I was some dumb girl. I have never sold anything to anyone without telling them everything I knew about the vehicle. I would never want hard feelings, even with a stranger that I would never see again or who lived too far away to be a problem. None of the little things wrong with it would have mattered if they had been all out there on the table to see. It's all about character, ethics, Karma, stuff like that.

The pancake pete is glassed on- not just riveted, you should know and pictures could fix that argument, since you are now attacking me. If you read my post, I was looking for advice on how to fix things wrong with it not to personally attack you. I got the advice I needed and thanks to those guys that helped me.

I said in one post that the Potec instructions on the head said you had to use their pipe with the FX1 and I asked if that was BS. If you read that again you will see that, Mr. sensitive. The exhaust chamber is cracked and was leaking into the hull, hence the request for advice about that. It was missing a bolt and since I didn't find it in the hull, I'm guessing it was not put on. How silly is your complaint about my post. Why would I be asking around for a stock exhaust chamber if I didn't need one? Today I found the handle bars were missing a bolt too (I bet you don't remember putting that together with only 3 bolts?) Since I rode it one time for about 10 min. I doubt it just happened to fall off during that ride. I don't think anyone out there really thinks I could break the pole mount from "a fall" during my test ride, not when guys are doing summersaults off of waves without doing it. The electrics are flip flopped on which side they exit the box, not that it really matters but , something is keeping the fuse from coming out the hole. Why would I make up this stuff? I doubt anyone out there really cares about our deal anyway.

The pole bracket was cracked and I found one on the forum thanks to the request for help. If the handle pole isn't longer than stock then why did you have to put two 1" extensions on the steering cable. (got pictures of that too if you like) That and when you put them side by side the metal one is longer. My loss, I was looking forward to having a metal pole but to me the longer pole does make a difference when you ride. Hello, I never complained to you I was talking about working on the ski.

You can also read about how I would have bought the ski anyway and disclosure would have been nice and a common courtesy. Like giving me a dead battery with no life left in it when that was never mentioned in our emails. There are several things that had been stripped from the ski: bolts missing on front bumper, engine mount spark plug wire holder, rubber matt for battery in battery tray, handle bar bolt, exhaust bracket bolt, (You let me drive along way to look at that ski not to tell me some simple details. I could always post our emails but I don't see the point. ( you have posted a picture of the engine and some of these things are in the picture so they must have been removed prior to sale) I was/am not trying to bash you, you bashed yourself.

By the way, the handle pole pad cover is the wrong one but it will work for now but the seem lines don't match the pad right. The paint looks cool from afar but flakes off easy and the tape lines are horrible. i like it still, it's different.

Hey it's an FX1- that is what I was looking for and it was worth what I paid for it. I just wish you had been more honest with me.

If Kraqus had wanted the ski and was able to, I'm sure he would have bought it. I'm not sure what the threat is there. He seems like a nice guy, if you ask me, you should have sold it to a friend for 1400 without stripping it first.

if I had four skis in my garage and I was going to sell one, I would take all the good parts I needed and the freshest battery too, I would just point out these things to the new owner and mention them in my many emails so the buyer could work on them and be informed. You only gave me the pole because you posted both of them for sale and no one would buy them. It's in your posts on PWCToday. You might use some locktite when you put things together, almost every nut and bolt on the ski is removable by hand or falling off.

No, it's definitely not a cherry ski now, it's a nice ski but it will be cherry when I'm done with it. So chill and no, you can't have it back- it's my FX1 now (I'll never make the mistake of selling my FX1 again) they rock, even when they are falling apart.

 

[kraqus]

He said....She said.....that is the old story..... :argue:
Chill out guys.....deal is done and there is no need for more bashing. :tomato:......Seriously.

I merely commented on this thread because when that ski came up for sale I run to the bank to get my Moola just to be reminded I had to pay property taxes....:drillsergeant:

I was this close from buying it....damn it!

For some reason every time I want to get my hands on an FX-1 the powers conspired and prevent me from doing so :banghead:.....maybe it is not meant to be....LOL!

Camojoe157,
I would have still bought your ski....in my eyes it was a beautiful ski and the only one that have made me jumped and go to the bank so far. I felt like it was that girl I could not get the phone number at the party afterward :17:....LOL!

Rivergirlz,
You really seem to know what you are doing to be a woman (please do no take offense on this comment) I am glad to see that you are very much into the sport and know your way around a ski....quite impressed. :fing02:


Peace Out guys!


:djsmilie:




Benny

 

[camojoe157]

First of all Sorry Kraqus I am not trying to bash anyone but come on….This is not a he said she said deal. This is a Joe and Rick we looked over the entire ski ourselves and everything was kosher deal… I DON’T sell bad stuff so DON’T make me look like it!!!!

Where do I begin… First of all I do not know why I am wasting my time with someone like this but here we go.…………

"like the cracked exhaust pipe that you just put on after selling the aftermarket one, saying the water in the hull was from washing it was shady. After one ride, the same amount of water was in the hull again and I knew something was wrong. I think you just assumed I was some dumb girl. I have never sold anything to anyone without telling them everything I knew about the vehicle"

-First of all the exhaust pipe was not cracked.. Myself and Waterfly know that for a fact! And even more of a point that ski had not been used since jet effect weekend which was August 15th. So you do the Math.. The water in the hull was from washing it down.. So don’t call me a liar….And by the way I did not think you were some dumb girl but now I do..No more need for discussion!


"I would never want hard feelings, even with a stranger that I would never see again or who lived too far away to be a problem. None of the little things wrong with it would have mattered if they had been all out there on the table to see. It's all about character, ethics, Karma, stuff like that."

- Character, Ethics, Karma??? If you believe what you just said than you better watch out for a lightning bolt….

"The pancake pete is glassed on- not just riveted, you should know and pictures could fix that argument, since you are now attacking me."

-I don’t know how many times I need to say this but it is not glassed in. The front foothold IS made out of fiberglass but it is only riveted in and NOT glassed in. If you remove the rivets it will come out. Again the PPFF is NOT glassed in…Pictures would prove it because it is NOT glassed in….No more need for discussion!



"The exhaust chamber is cracked and was leaking into the hull, hence the request for advice about that. It was missing a bolt and since I didn't find it in the hull, I'm guessing it was not put on."

Waterfly you can handle this one…But I will repeat again it wasn’t cracked..No more need for discussion!


" If the handle pole isn't longer than stock then why did you have to put two 1" extensions on the steering cable. (got pictures of that too if you like) That and when you put them side by side the metal one is longer. My loss, I was looking forward to having a metal pole but to me the longer pole does make a difference when you ride. Hello, I never complained to you I was talking about working on the ski."

-The Aluminum Ac pole that is on it is a stock length AC pole..I told you that.. The AC pole fits on a fx-1 but is not the same length as a stock fx-1 pole….It is longer…
So the pole you have is longer than a stock fx-1 pole but it is a “Stock” length AC pole…No more need for discussion!

“The pole bracket was cracked and I found one on the forum thanks to the request for help. If the handle pole isn't longer than stock then why did you have to put two 1" extensions on the steering cable. (got pictures of that too if you like) That and when you put them side by side the metal one is longer. My loss, I was looking forward to having a metal pole but to me the longer pole does make a difference when you ride. Hello, I never complained to you I was talking about working on the ski.”

-Already discusse above and also those once ince extenders are a nice thing to have and they are made by Pro-Tec. And you need them because the Stock fx-1 pole is shorter than a STOCK AC pole…No more need for discussion!

"By the way, the handle pole pad cover is the wrong one but it will work for now but the seem lines don't match the pad right. The paint looks cool from afar but flakes off easy and the tape lines are horrible. i like it still, it's different."

- The Blowsion pad was bought from Blowsion and it is for that pad…It is an fx-1 pad cover….I can provide the receipt..No more need for discussion!


"If Kraqus had wanted the ski and was able to, I'm sure he would have bought it. I'm not sure what the threat is there. He seems like a nice guy, if you ask me, you should have sold it to a friend for 1400 without stripping it first."

-Obviously you do not know how much ski’s are worth or aftermarket parts on a ski..Tell you what since you are SUCH a nice person why don’t you sell it to Kraqus for $1400….Ohh yeah, you won’t because you know it’s worth way more…..No more need for discussion!

As far as the head issue I talked two Pro-Tec twice and they still say it will work with STOCK exhaust bracket. But do you remember when you and I were standing in the driveway and I had the Pro-Tec head next to the stock exhaust and I said I DON’T think it will work so maybe you shouldn’t buy it. AND I even told you that two other people wanted to buy it from me so since I didn’t think it would work with the STOCK exhaust brackets. YOU bought it anyways………..So WTF????????????No more need for discussion!


"No, it's definitely not a cherry ski now, it's a nice ski but it will be cherry when I'm done with it. So chill and no, you can't have it back- it's my FX1 now (I'll never make the mistake of selling my FX1 again) they rock, even when they are falling apart."

-Falling apart… you are friggen nuts…..I’m even more frustrated now than I was at the beginning of this..This was a sweet deal for you and all you are doing is complaining and shelling out un-truth’s..Good luck with all that..You have already made quiet an impression

The one thing that I can think of that is probably right is that you are missing a bolt for the handlebar clamps. You said there are only three on it and I know I saw one in my garage last night so you are correct. I am sorry for leaving one off of it.. I would have sent it to you but not anymore..

This whole thing has really frustrated the hell out of me.. Anyone that knows me knows that I have character and Integrity and I am not even close to being shady. I am quiet the opposite and hook my friends up ALL the time. I definitely don’t need someone like you telling others on this forum that I don’t have any and that I deal shady ski’s or parts.. I take care of all my ski’s and I am pretty meticulous as other’s know… After you told me your occupation I would have expected more out of you other than this Pre-Madonna crap!

When you left the last thing I TOLD you was if there are ANY problems let me know and I will resolve them. You didn’t call me and let me know you started a thread and then threw out all kinds of ridiculous crap that’s not true. I am not going to sit back and read all this and not say anything..I am sticking up for myself and my old ski….If anyone reading this thinks I am taking this too far I am sorry but again this was a nice ski to begin with and all this was not necessary but I couldn’t just sit back and watch this, especially when I knew the condition of the ski and how nice it is…

Have fun down south with your fx-1 that is “falling” apart and lose my phone number!!

 

[rivergirlz]

You are so scarey with all that red font. I was not trying to bash you. I never even mentioned your name. I was looking for advice on a build just like everyone else on here. Thank you to all the guys that did help. I don't think they want to read this crap on here so I won't be responding to you anymore. You did contradict yourself in your statements.

 

[camojoe157]

Your right you didn't mention my name I did. And you were bashing "the guy you bought the ski from" was almost in every paragraph you wrote. I did not contradict myself in my statements....See this is what I didn't want to happen..other people thinking this is stupid..thanks rivergirl...If I would not have said anything people would have thought you picked up a ski from a shady person and now that I point out all the lies and B.S. I look like the bad guy. Anyone else would feel the same way to if they sold a ski that they put so much into........

 

[Matt_E]

This isn't going anywhere. You might consider taking this to PM, email, or pickup the phone.