How to re-attach sxr side rails

[sxrguysxigirl]

Im in the middle of a mac masher install (sxr). Just looking ahead. I drilled out the rivets holding the side rails. What is the best method for reattaching them. Not something I want to mess up so i figured I would ask.


Thank Russ

 

[rollin5150]

SST or Aluminum Rivets

 

[Proformance1]

Use washers also on the front of the rails. I had so many problems with mine in the surf, that I just turfed the rails. Problem solved and makes the ski look nicer and also easier to ride the hood now. :Banane09:

 

[redsxr800]

if you ride hard or free style dont put them back on, mine riped off in about two weeks. turf the sides and under caps all at once then you will have no seems to pull apart.

 

[sxrguysxigirl]

I wish i would have purchased the over the rail turf kit, but since i didnt im going the route of reattaching them. Bty...what is sst..that rollin5150

my issue...

I have 4 different types of rivits and none of them are even close to working. They are all to short. Meaning when I put the rivit through the pad only about 1/8" stick through the underneath. It is not nearly enough to catch any fiberglass on the ski. I did attempt to try one and it simply cracked away some fiberglass and did not come close to attaching the rail. I feel like an idiot but i have never done this and do not know how to

I went to home depot/lowes and dont see any other rivit sizes that will work.

Other than turf and rivits...what else is there? has anyone just actually used screws and just put screws in place of the rivits?

 

[WET BOX]

Screws will work. The problem is no matter what fastener system you use water will get under the pads eventually and they will rip apart. I know this seems unlikely, but they do. If you want to keep them they need to be sealed to ski better than the stock adhesive strips.

Later

 

[Proformance1]

I had to buy special rivets from Grainger. They are longer, and I had to buy a box of a 1000 to get them. LOL I couldn't find them any place in small quantities. Like I said I also put washers on the front to help hold the plastic, but if you are riding surf hard enough, they will still fail.

 

[JetskiMobile1]

Also use black 3M 5200 to seal them down with. The factory uses a strip of foam tape that will pull away and let water get underneath. This is how they rip off in turns (from water getting underneath and catch them. We replaced 1 set 3 years ago and sealed them with 5200 on both ski's. After 4 seasons of racing the stock railcaps are still attached with no tears (and yes, he does turn hard)

 

[Mark44]

If you want foot holds the mashers are not what you are looking for, there is not enough of a hold on your foot to do anything with.

Mark44

 

[tom21]

if you do turf, glass the holes, put extra pad in all the pockets and low spaces so the turf is flush- this makes it lots easier to install and looks better.

 

[sxrguysxigirl]

Thank you guys..Got the rails put back on tonight. I went home depot hopping and found extra long rivits. They seem to have held really well. I also used the 3m stuff as mentioned above.

Tomorrow i can start turfing and hopefully when the weather breaks i will be able to enjoy the mashers.

I understand about them not being a true hold. I have been using lifters for the past few years and gather these to be a little bit of an upgrade. I have no need for true wells. I simply ride flat water and dont ever plan on rolls or flips.


Thanks again everyone

 

[jrddillon]

if you do turf, glass the holes, put extra pad in all the pockets and low spaces so the turf is flush- this makes it lots easier to install and looks better.

do you have a pic of your turf job? I have 2 skis to do, started doing the blowsion caps, they suck soooo baaaaad that blow is sending me another set this time with instructions and rivots.thanks

 

[tnerb]

Here some shots of my SXR I just finished last weekend, Turfed all the rails and the caps. Filled the holes, pockets and indentation with west system epoxy and 407 filler. Came out alright for my first time turfing. when turfing the caps the hardest thing is getting the turf to conform to all the curves. Mine got bunched up at where the rail curves down in the back as you can see in one of the pictures. The turf gets into some pretty crazy angles.

The other side came out better taking a little more time and working from front to back.

Good luck.

 

[Proformance1]

Looks great! Now I just wish I was where you are so I could ride.

 

[sxrguysxigirl]

Here some shots of my SXR I just finished last weekend, Turfed all the rails and the caps. Filled the holes, pockets and indentation with west system epoxy and 407 filler. Came out alright for my first time turfing. when turfing the caps the hardest thing is getting the turf to conform to all the curves. Mine got bunched up at where the rail curves down in the back as you can see in one of the pictures. The turf gets into some pretty crazy angles.

The other side came out better taking a little more time and working from front to back.

Good luck.

Wow, i do like the over the rail look. I wish i would have done the same. Here is what I ended up with

 

[Shonuff]

Crap, I wish I had seen this before you finished the Mashers.

 

[sxrguysxigirl]

Crap, I wish I had seen this before you finished the Mashers.

why do you say that?

 

[tnerb]

Wow, i do like the over the rail look. I wish i would have done the same. Here is what I ended up with

thanks, yours looks good too. I had to take off the rails and saw all the cracks from the rivets and thought i may as well fix those and it just grew from there. the factory rails look a lot more finished, my turf job is no where near perfect. but I am happy with it.

 

[Shonuff]

why do you say that?

I would have really tried to talk you out of installing them and going with the true footholds.

It's OK, we'll do footholds after this season.

 

[sxrguysxigirl]

I would have really tried to talk you out of installing them and going with the true footholds.

It's OK, we'll do footholds after this season.

I understand..the main reason i did mashers is because at the end of this coming riding season Im selling my sxi, letting my girl use this ski and will be buying a new sxr. I will put real holds on my next ski. These mashers will better suit her riding style and atleast give me a little fun this summer.