Superfreak build cost

[CJ555]

I am ready to buy a -7 Superfreak Badass. I have no glass/sanding experience and I have never installed a pump, pump shoe, midshaft, etc etc ,turfed a ski, (besides my simple 87' 550 27 years ago!) or shimmed an engine! And I've heard that building freaks is a major PIA!!!

How much does it "realistically" cost to have a freak sanded and painted professionally (basic 1 color quality paint job) and turfed.

How much would it cost to have someone align /install my pump, midshaft, pump shoe, and engine?

I am interested in learning how to build a ski but have no desire to learn on/screw up on a brand new Freak! But I would be willing to get my hands dirty and help out so I could do repairs and future installs myself

I have a 2001 RN with a stock engine (pipe/head) and a stock pump that I will be transferring over for what it's worth.

I would like to buy used and have it set up already but I am pretty much positive the -7 is the boat I want and chances of finding a used one are slim since every one seems to be a -4.3.

Please let me know what you have put into your freaks to get it water ready.

Thanks

 

[mike b]

http://www.x-h2o.com/index.php?threads/fs-2014-superfreak-badass-7.156101/#post-1694065

heres a -7 freak for ya. I don't know your budget but prices wont very from this TOO much I don't believe. As far as installing things it should be as simple as unbolt from SJ and bolt into the freak. Keep track of your shims when taking parts off and double check when installing on the freak and do it right the first time. Id say go with a used hull and learn how to install things with people from the forum and ask questions here when needed. Don't pay someone to work on your ski when they aren't that hard, just be careful and make sure you know what your doing before you do it (know the right way(s) by asking on here and then go out to the garage). And if you needed to pay someone to do the work for you if they are nearby im sure some beer or something will be enough if you don't have to take it to a shop. Good luck and I hate you for going from a js550 straight to a freak like that! hahah

 

[mike b]

my bad just realized its pending (what i get for not reading the entire ad). maybe sale falls through and you can grab it...

 

[Sanoman]

@CJ555 PM me and be glad to help answer some questions you may have.Im traveling so there may be some delay in getting back with you

 

[CJ555]

Thanks Mike! Yeah I was actually a day late on the -7 that just sold!! That was my dream ski already complete right there. Just had other things going on when it popped up and I blew it,...still kicking myself for it,..trust me. And for what its worth,...I havent had my 550 since the early 90's!! I bought a brand new 1997 RN in 97' but sold it a few years later to get back into motocross,....then a few years ago I just picked up a used 01' RN that I still have today. I'm just ready to up my game a little and the Superfreaks have been calling my name for a while now!!

And thanks Sano! I will DEFINITELY be contacting you soon to take your offer for tips/suggestions. I remember reading a post a while back that you were another -7 rider and I'm aware that your building skills are top notch so when the time comes, I will be bugging you a little -- if you don't mind!!
Do you like the -7? Like it more than say a -4.3 or is there really no difference?
Wish you were a little closer and I'd pay you to help me do the build!!! You seem to know a lot of good riders/builders on this site,....anyone you could recommend that may help me build it? I'm about 20 miles north of Philly for what it's worth and I would be willing to travel a little to have it done right

 

[Big Kahuna]

Get up with the Rage Composites guys. You are not far from them..

 

[CJ555]

Yeah they're really not too far at all. I think there hulls are sweet as hell too and I even considered one,......but I can't shake this "i want a Freak" thing I got going on. I've read all the reviews and both Freaks and Brawlers/Havoc's are both top notch. But I think the Freak will suit my riding a little better.

Not sure if I could afford to have them "build my ski",...but in case it is in my range,.....do you think they would build a Freak?!! (or would they only build me one of their skis?)
Still trying to get a realistic number of what it actually cost to prep/paint and do a pump/engine install. I emailed Zach at PHP for a quote since he built the other Freak I was looking at, but he never responded.

 

[Big Kahuna]

Either way you cannot go wrong with either

 

[air blair]

Freaks are sweet, easy transition off a supetjet. Kenny lowe has one for sale not sure on the minus part.

 

[CJ555]

Yeah I have heard the transition is easy coming from a RN,...its the "build" part that has me nervous. And I have talked to Kenny but his is a -4.3. For the price drop he did on the complete ski I figured it was worth a shot to see what he wanted for everything minus the engine,..even if it was a -4.3 and not a -7 like I want!! (Cant afford ----and probably cant handle ----a Dasa 1000 with a pfp!!! My 701 with ADA head and Bpipe should do me fine for another year until I get my JM 781BB!!)
Anyway,....he seemed to be back to his original asking price when I asked about parting it out so I'm back on my -7 kick since the deal wasn't as good as I thought it would of been.

 

[Sanoman]

[QUOTE="CJ555, post: 1694651, member: 10968]And thanks Sano! I will DEFINITELY be contacting you soon to take your offer for tips/suggestions. I remember reading a post a while back that you were another -7 rider and I'm aware that your building skills are top notch so when the time comes, I will be bugging you a little -- if you don't mind!!
Do you like the -7? Like it more than say a -4.3 or is there really no difference?
Wish you were a little closer and I'd pay you to help me do the build!!! You seem to know a lot of good riders/builders on this site,....anyone you could recommend that may help me build it? I'm about 20 miles north of Philly for what it's worth and I would be willing to travel a little to have it done right[/QUOTE]

Don't mind you at all bugging me.So many have helped me along the way.l love my -7 and there is a difference in the ride (-4.3).l owned a -2 SF and have rode a number of -4.3 and quite honestly did not feel anything different between the twthers may not agree.

Are you buying a hull to build from the ground up or buying one that is together and you have to just do the finish work?

 

[CJ555]

I am aware of one possibly going for sale, but I already talked to Tem about a build so even though no promises were made I don't want to go back on my word. After I pay for the hull I wont have too much money to spend on the build costs (prep/paint and engine/pump install), but I would like to be a part of the process and learn how to do it correctly so I'm still on the fence of exactly how this is going to go down. But I do already have my hull /drivetrain that I plan on swapping over. My ski is an 01' but hasn't been ridden much considering the year (maybe 100-150 hours I'd assume) so hopefully I wont need too much else to get the ski together.

I will be buying a complete hull from Tem (or used already built)) though,....so yes a new one will need the paint and prep work. But no way would I buy a separate top and bottom deck to save some coin! --- in case thats what you meant by "build from the ground up"?? I noticed BrightE's mentioned that he would never go that route again and wansn't very cost effective after materials and time were considered!

 

[BrightE's]

Well I would never build another in my living room in my third story apartment downtown. But now that I have a garage in the house my fiancee and I bought, I would build 10 if I could afford to!

 

[CJ555]

Haha I like that answer Paul,....maybe mine will be the 1st of ten?!! You're build skills are through the roof. And although maybe not practical,....your build was one of the coolest to watch as it happened!

 

[long beach local]

I built a 2014 fullsize carbon badass that i bought from Tem turfed and painted . After i finallly recieved the ski i had most all of the parts ready and had done alot of reseserch (reading) mostly here on the X and felt confident as i have what i thought was enough experience to tackle the task sort of . I can tell you it was difficult ,time consuming and down right a PIA ... nothing just bolts up, it is not an assembly, its a custom build i should have done a build thread but i was busier than i thought i would be trying to get it together so i could ride . Tem is alot of help and i would recommend Jet Maniac he knows what you need has tips and ships immidiately. Get a cold fusion alignment tool i wish i had one when i started I learned a ton and if and when i do another it will be way easier but building this Ski was hard there is no instructions, manual and they are all diiferent good Luck and be patient you put it together and take it apart until you get it right many many times at least thats what i did

 

[CJ555]

Hey thanks long Long Beach! I was hoping I could keep this thread alive as I still don't have even a rough idea of what it cost or the know how to do a build myself! I'm talking to a very reputable builder but I would like to do it myself (or at least be a part of it so I am not so damn clueless anymore!),.....but I don't have any good builders local to me. Some "close", but not close enough to be there every day and watch and help it go down
Is the CF alignment tool for installing the pump and/or midshaft? Or is it for motor alignment? I'll check out their site and research it but figured I'd ask.

Also, were you happy with the paint from Tem? I know he's "the man"!,....but I have never heard of buying a painted hull from him. Does he paint himself or sub out to a local painter? I know there is a lot of prep work and sanding to do with pinholes, etc. So were all the imperfections taken care of and ski arrived completely painted and ready for driveline install? Or did you still have some touch up and possibly 1 more "coat" to do?.

Also,....I am under the impression that there is a fair amount of grinding to do to get the pump components installed,....and I figured thats why I would need to at least get the ski built 1st as a mock up AND THEN un-install take for paint. (I may be wrong but I always assumed that's how skis were built ?!!) So did you ruin the bottom deck paint with grinding, etc to get everything to fit?!!

Sending you a PM as well. Thanks

 

[long beach local]

The CF alignment tool is for pump and midshaft only . The motor you just shim as you go off the couplers without the dampner after midshaft is installed . lots of tricks of the trade but you can read about them here on the X. Tem probably wont want to do another deal like mine it was a headache for both of us he hurt his shoulder on his dirt bike which delayed things then his paint guy delayed things then the turf guy had delays it took forever to finally get the ski but when i did yeah i was happy with it, It was top quality worth waiting for . the paint chips easy but i think its because the carbon is so hard and i just ride it so much things happen. if your careful when doing the build you wont need to repaint it ..there is a bunch of grinding, filing, cutting bolts shorter etc etc dry fit install take apart reinstall on and on . But if you had the experience you wouldnt need to go through all that but you gotta learn somehow . I built the ski for at least 18k probably more its just a701 bpipe as many new oem parts everything rebuilt or new i collected parts for 2 years it was fun. It would cheaper and easier to just buy one used already built let somebody else do all the work all the little things add up quick but if you have the time and desire to build your own go for it .

 

[long beach local]

I MEANT THE ORANGE/RED ONE

 

[CJ555]

haha got ya Jack!!! just Pmd!

 

[iangdesign]

I built my SJ from scratch a couple years ago...not knowing anything about yamaha skis, coming from kawis where nothing is aligned. Just do the research and when you get going on the build it will all click.