FX-1 Bonzi Bob 144mm Pump Ride Plate Recommendation

[kkosche]

FX1. I installed a 144mm Pump w/Protec steering nozzle. I have a JD ride plate and intake grate. JD ride plate is concave. In order to be able to bolt up the JD ride plate to my now much larger pump and steering nozzle, I would need to mill a large section / hole out of the concave portion of the ride plate (like 2-3" in diameter). I'm not very smart, but I bet that would have an effect on how much I like the ride plate.

SO . . looking for recommendations for those of you running an FX1 w/a 144mm pump . . what ride plate / intake grate would you recommend? I am especially looking for ride plate recommendations with this combo. I have no issues drilling, or using an end mill to open up a hole for the head of the bolt of the steering nozzle . . but want to avoid having to remove material to allow the steering nozzle itself to operate.

 

[sjaholic]

kkosche just remember from time to time to check the top bolt on your pro tec nozzle.
i was riding 2 weeks ago, thought i had hit something in the middle of the lake, then i lost my steering. i found that the top bolt had loosen up and it snapped the nozzle in 2 pieces.
new one on now. everythings good!! no matter what ride plate you'll be grinding.

 

[tricky1]

FX1. I installed a 144mm Pump w/Protec steering nozzle. I have a JD ride plate and intake grate. JD ride plate is concave. In order to be able to bolt up the JD ride plate to my now much larger pump and steering nozzle, I would need to mill a large section / hole out of the concave portion of the ride plate (like 2-3" in diameter). I'm not very smart, but I bet that would have an effect on how much I like the ride plate.

SO . . looking for recommendations for those of you running an FX1 w/a 144mm pump . . what ride plate / intake grate would you recommend? I am especially looking for ride plate recommendations with this combo. I have no issues drilling, or using an end mill to open up a hole for the head of the bolt of the steering nozzle . . but want to avoid having to remove material to allow the steering nozzle itself to operate.

use a countersunk head with a flat top. works fine for me. I also used a kaw 650 sx steering nozzle to get the steering cable in a better location.

 

[95FX1]

^^ nice

 

[kkosche]

Thanks for the help.

I ended up using a Protec "silver" ride plate. Had to grind a way a bunch of the front X webbing, a little relief on the seal edge, and a 3/4" hole for the steering Nozzle bolt. . . Still needed two brass washers (both sides) to space the back edge of the plate out . . even with this I still have hard contact with lower part of the pump and the ride plate. I used a light coating of grease and slowing crewed the ride plate in place . . then back off . . see where it touched .. grid a little more . . repeat . . . like 12 times. Slow and careful.

Put it in the water today. 144mm is a significant improvement. . . although I am pretty proud of how well my old set up worked (JD ride plate, Skat w/a kick).

Now the stock motor needs a little more low in punch. Interested in any recommendations. Factory Pipe, Protec modded ignition box and a rejetted carb? Or is their an easier path that still will keep my reliability in tact?

 

[kkosche]

use a countersunk head with a flat top. works fine for me. I also used a kaw 650 sx steering nozzle to get the steering cable in a better location.

Can you post a picture of what you JD plate looks like with the cut out ? Picture from the bottom side of the ski? I am pretty please with the Protec plate . . . but might just cut the JD Plate and try it too, for fun. Based on my measurements, I would have to take a BUNCH of material (read large hole) to make the concave JD plate work.

 

[kkosche]

kkosche just remember from time to time to check the top bolt on your pro tec nozzle.
i was riding 2 weeks ago, thought i had hit something in the middle of the lake, then i lost my steering. i found that the top bolt had loosen up and it snapped the nozzle in 2 pieces.
new one on now. everythings good!! no matter what ride plate you'll be grinding.

Thanks for the tip!

 

[KR]

Whip out your sawzall and cut that thing up!

 

[kkosche]

Whip out your sawzall and cut that thing up!

Thanks for the pict!

At least my estimate of "a bunch of material" to be removed was accurate. Wowza. How you went about it looks nice an clean thou. How does the ski handle with the cuts/144 VS the unmolested JD plate and the smaller pump?

 

[KR]

They are incomparable. Really had to lean with the ski to get it to turn with the uncut JD plate (122mm pump). Since I did the pump mod and got this ride plate, this ski is incredibly loose. It is so much fun in the surf!

 

[kkosche]

They are incomparable. Really had to lean with the ski to get it to turn with the uncut JD plate (122mm pump). Since I did the pump mod and got this ride plate, this ski is incredibly loose. It is so much fun in the surf!

What engine mods have you done (or had done prior) to the pump convert? Currently my ski (motor wise) is bone stock. With the larger pump, there certainly is better hookup . . . but the initial "hit" could be better.

 

[kkosche]

use a countersunk head with a flat top. works fine for me. I also used a kaw 650 sx steering nozzle to get the steering cable in a better location.

Very nice. Could you post a picture of the bottom of the ride plate so I could see where / how you cut it to accept the 144mm pump? The amount of clearance you have the steering nozzle bolt location is significant compared to what I was working with. . . which makes me curious as to how you achieved the space there, zero spacers . . hoping the cut out picture will help me understand better. Thanks for your help.