FX-1 My Hood Keeper

[swapmeet]

I've seen different versions of this idea, i.e. riveted on metal plates etc.

Talked with a seasoned vet about a chronic problem with the FX1. Dislodged hoods on failed rolls. Since I was already in a rough glass stage with the ski, I had an idea. I super glued 1/4" fiberglass rods to the outside edges of the hood seal. The super glue holds the glass in place. Using Epoxy resin with Cabosil, I filled the gaps between the hull and glass rod. Then I cut a strip of fiberglass and layed it over the whole shabang. I'm a little concerned that I didn't use a long enoug piece of glass. But all I had was 12oz on hand, so hopefully that does the trick. (feel free to chime in on that)
I cut about an inch off the end and curved it towards the nose. I'll body work it to make it flow. This should make it much more difficult for the hood to completely come off, even if its dislodged. Intrested in your thoughts on this as well.

Wanted to share, see what ya'll think.

 

[tom21]

I think part of the problem is that the hood only protrudes down about the 1/8 inch so in order for your mods to be completely effective the liner now needs to be extended by cutting the side of the hood on the outside to allow the lip to be seated. you could also have added a second "L" channel to the liner to extend down and into the hull. less body work as the "magic" happens under the hood lol

 

[Nuklear6]

I own and ride with a lot of people with fx1s and it seems if the hood seal is OEM and in good condition hood dislodging is not an issue. Seems as if the issues begin when people use other hood seals and/or the latches get worn out.

 

[swapmeet]

I think part of the problem is that the hood only protrudes down about the 1/8 inch so in order for your mods to be completely effective the liner now needs to be extended by cutting the side of the hood on the outside to allow the lip to be seated. you could also have added a second "L" channel to the liner to extend down and into the hull. less body work as the "magic" happens under the hood lol

I see what you mean about the L channel, not sure about extending the liner. More than one way to skin a cat... (who skins cats anyway?)

I own and ride with a lot of people with fx1s and it seems if the hood seal is OEM and in good condition hood dislodging is not an issue. Seems as if the issues begin when people use other hood seals and/or the latches get worn out.

It had a non-OEM, (hardware store) hood seal. Also the ski doesn't have any latches whatsoever, only a Jetmaniac hood strap kit.
Might go back with the Watcon (octane?) hood seal, or I may put a hardware store special back on. Depends on my level of impatience that day.

Thanks for the feedback.

 

[LIVE2RIDE Powersports]

I own and ride with a lot of people with fx1s and it seems if the hood seal is OEM and in good condition hood dislodging is not an issue. Seems as if the issues begin when people use other hood seals and/or the latches get worn out.

X2. My old stock ski with oem seal and latches never had any hood issues. My new setup with a brap strap and crappy seal it comes off alot. I am working on a front bracket to hold the front down, but have to mod my pole bracket.

 

[tightithrash]

You should have done that on the inside edge of the engine bay. That's how it's usually done like the rickters and 227s sj. But if it works it works I guess!

 

[Flash-FX]

You should have done that on the inside edge of the engine bay. That's how it's usually done like the rickters and 227s sj. But if it works it works I guess!

X2 on that.

Like 100 years ago, (at least) the cool surf mod for the 440/550, was to build up the inside lip (or the corners) to help the hood from shifting off. You could get sloppy with the resin work on that mod, and it looked good with the engine cover on. But, hey...your mod on the outside might work even better, by adding stiffness to the side.

 

[special fx]

I own and ride with a lot of people with fx1s and it seems if the hood seal is OEM and in good condition hood dislodging is not an issue. Seems as if the issues begin when people use other hood seals and/or the latches get worn out.

Yeah, But how many of those old s are rolling their skis??

 

[DangerBoy]

Yeah, But how many of those old s are rolling their skis??

ummmmmmmmm.... ...... ....:scratchchin:

 

[swapmeet]

I guess I should have asked ya'll before I did this... It seemed like a pretty good idea at the time. I think (hope) it will be effective, the only difference is the addtional body work.


Not too late to cut it all off and start over! :doh:

 

[jhall752]

on my fx1 i didnt even use latches i used something like brap straps but i used two straps crossing and had two ratchets. learned flips and rolls that way never had a problem with hood movement. one the other hand i hopes this works out for you.

 

[dragginblazer]

wheres some fancy updates???

 

[Kawikazi]

I've got the lustic blowsion carbon hood on my 750sx and it sinks my ski nearly every failed roll attempt. I gotta start landing these I know

 

[infamy]

Yeah, But how many of those old s are rolling their skis??

exactly! if you are rolling your fx-1, it doesnt matter how good your hoodseal is.

 

[swapmeet]

wheres some fancy updates???

I don't have any specificly of the keeper idea, but here's the ski with some of the body work completed around said hood keeper.
I'm thinking about building up the inside edge so its almost vertical, like this /|_____|\. Right now it has a bit of an angle /\_____/\ like that. Probably extra work for no reason, but if i'm gonna do it my way, I might as well do it the best that I can.

 

[tom21]

hellooooo chipped paint lol

 

[swapmeet]

hellooooo chipped paint lol

Where/ how do you think it will chip?

(not holding my breath on a response)

 

[chadetroit]

swap looking good man. Keep it up!

 

[WaveDemon]

Where/ how do you think it will chip?

(not holding my breath on a response)

I'm pretty sure he's referring to all the body filler. It could also be that your hood keeper is a painted surface and is designed to stop a flexing painted hood.

 

[swapmeet]

There isn't much, its just a skim coat to even out everything. How do you get around using body filler? Would dynaglass be better? Seems like overkill but I can use that instead.

I'm still learning a lot of this stuff. I know a million times more than I knew a year ago, but as tom is happy to point out, I don't know nearly enough.
I have no problem with being told that what i'm doing is wrong, but at least tell me how to do it right.