Riverrat's X-jet rebuild

[RiverRat]

I was not sure if I was going to make a thread buts its late and I'm bored.

I have been working on my xjet the last few days. Chopped the bottom deck off b/c it kept breaking. I patched it several times but water kept getting in or a new crack would form and I would have to fix it all over again. I also wanted to put a SJ bottom on it because I never really like the REV bottom. It is nice and slippery but very unstable from side to side. My friend said it best "That thing rides like a barrel".

Believe it or not the rear of the REV bottom was constructed very well. The only problem was the motor bed idea. By design the motor bed and hull would be glued together and form one uniform thickness. However, in reality, there is a small air gap in between the motor bed and hull, making weak spots through out the hull. Once that goes its like a domino effect that keeps tearing away at the structure. On the rear section the hull was of proper thickness and was very sturdy.

Today I defoamed the SN hull, chopped 1.5in off the rear, removed plumbing, continued work on the X-jet top deck and stood in the driveway starring at the hull pieces planning the build.

 

[RiverRat]

Motor changes I have in store:

Modify b-pipe to clear PV's
Run Blaster Mod Pipe
49mm Full specs replaced by SBN 46's

Hull Changes:

-1.5in SN hull
Custom exhaust tube
Prototype Scupper Valve

I don't plan to make this build pretty. One day I will sand it all down and paint the ski, but not at this time. I want to go to Daytona and need to knock it ASAP. Besides the top deck looks good and I don't really care about the bottom deck....haha

 

[Idok]

nice....good move


but why the blaster mod? the SJ ltd will make more bottom end

 

[RiverRat]

nice....good move


but why the blaster mod? the SJ ltd will make more bottom end

B/c don't have a SJ limited chamber. I decided to go back to a b-pipe and got a deal on the blaster system. I sold the PFP system with my 66e motor.

But the good thing is I can run the exhaust around the motor and out the rear. No water box up front or anything. Just a resonating exhaust tube

 

[dbredleader]

But the good thing is I can run the exhaust around the motor and out the rear. No water box up front or anything. Just a resonating exhaust tube

Loud pipes save lives.:usa2:

 

[RiverRat]

Loud pipes save lives.:usa2:

I'm hoping it won't be too loud. The resonator will be 2ft long. if it is too loud I will switch to something else. I'm not looking for a super light ski, just simple and reliable

 

[Idok]

it will rip with the setup that you have, and the powervalve/clearance issue should be easily fixable with an Xmetal spacer


but ditch the blaster pipe and find yourself a LTD superjet pipe

 

[RiverRat]

it will rip with the setup that you have, and the powervalve/clearance issue should be easily fixable with an Xmetal spacer


but ditch the blaster pipe and find yourself a LTD superjet pipe

If I ditch it I would like to get the new TNT chamber. Until then I will just run what I have

 

[MADMAT]

So this is a X jet with a REV bottom...or did all jets have REV bottoms? Have you tested TNT chambers?

 

[SuperJETT]

As long as you get something that will survive more than 2 rides without turning into swiss cheese, I'm all for it!

 

[RiverRat]

a few pics

 

[RiverRat]

I took 1.5in off the rear and cut it at an angle. This is a mild chop, allowing the nose to come up a little faster but not adversely effecting handling. I like to do allot of the older tricks and wanted a ski that could do it all. Plus I keep all the ride plate bolts intact!! No relocation of anything. Glassing the rear panels will be very easy as well. All I have to do is lay up a couple of flat panels and glass them in. It is a straight cut on the rear so it should be very easy

 

[RiverRat]

Today I am cleaning up the rest of the top deck and cleaning the bottom deck. Times like this I wish I had a sand blaster. That would prep the bottom deck for glass in no time. It may take a while to get it all glassed up. I don't have any supplies at the moment.

 

[SuperJETT]

Make sure to check the rideplate inserts now while you can replace them easily. I didn't and have 2 that are sketchy. Or, switch them out for the larger M8 ones now.

 

[RiverRat]

Make sure to check the rideplate inserts now while you can replace them easily. I didn't and have 2 that are sketchy. Or, switch them out for the larger M8 ones now.

Luckily all the inserts are in great shape.

Now I am wondering......To FOAM or not to FOAM? That is the question.

 

[RiverRat]

Just had to post pics of the bad azz pole and bracket!!! This is why I am keeping the X-jet. Several years of riding and not even a crack in the paint on that bracket area

 

[fals3illusion]

how did u get those apart in one piece? looks so good

 

[MADMAT]

x2!

And why did your X jet have a REV bottom....or am I misreading that?

 

[RiverRat]

how did u get those apart in one piece? looks so good

Superjett did the SN bottom deck and I'm still working on the X-jet deck. I just used a jig saw and then blow torch to heat up the Plexus adhesive. The rest I tapped off with a chissle

x2!

And why did your X jet have a REV bottom....or am I misreading that?

Yes, It had the REV bottom deck. The REV bottom was Jeff's flat water bottom that he named REV when the REV hull came out. Technically the REV has a X-jet bottom b/c the x-jet was out years before the REV

 

[MADMAT]

Yea I knew the X was his first......well after the F1 pro, right? But I didn't realize they shared bottoms. So the X is a "barrel" too?

I really love the X jet. I thought it was soooo cool the first time I saw that nose.

That square bottom came apart nice!!