650/X-2 The Begining...

[tomthewakeboarder]

Here is my ski with some modifications already made from the previous owner, a good ten years prior to me owning it. I have just started to make my own mods based on a lot of the information I have gathered from this any other forums. Two questions:

1. Do I have to do anything to my rideplate now that I hacked off 1.5" from the back?
2. Does the stock waterbox already have one hole drilled in it?


(See pictures for clarification)

 

[jetx]

1. I would cut it flush with the hull to maximize the effect of the cutback, but some guys like leaving it longer, it really comes down to personal preference. Maybe try it as is and than cut if you don't like it. I will be cutting mine flush with the back of the hull and maybe even d cutting it. The noses are heavy and I want all the lift I can get.

2. Not sure on this but I have a stocker aswell with the same one hole, so I am going to guess that is now they come from the factory.

 

[w650gb500]

Don't cut that rideplate, sell it to me! I'm looking for that OP plate.

 

[tomthewakeboarder]

Yah I think I'm going to leave the ride plate for now.
I'm going to drill the water box tomorrow hopefully and add the 5 or 6 holes to the box. I just need to wait on the starter relay so I can fire it up.

Does anyone have a hood mod to get rid of the forward facing scoop? I don't want to spend much money and weight doesn't matter.

 

[Wilke]

You can just cut the back of the scoop out and glass/tape/somehow cover over the front - viola, rear facing scoop. That simple mod does wonders for keeping water out and is about as cheap and easy as it gets.

Or you can take the scoop off, glass over the hole and then drill some holes under the hump of the hood and run pvc pipes though the first intake area and into the second area of the hood, a bit more work but its probably the best option without doing a hood redesign.

 

[w650gb500]

Drilled on the back side and epoxied a piece of aluminum over the opening in front. Take the 4 screws out and do it all on the bench.

 

[tomthewakeboarder]

Sweet man, I like that idea. Are you able to sink the front down and fountain for a decent amount of time? I can last about 5 to 10 seconds before it fills up and have to hop off and bilge for a good minute or two.

I have seen the pipes method and assume it would work better because it moves the intake up nice and high when the ski is sunken below the water. I just can't find any posts about how to do it. Do you just tap into the existing vents? I've attached a pic. What size PVC would I need to use? I saw a guy that used flexible hose similar to bilge pump hose. Thanks for the help guys.

 

[Wilke]

Your pic is pretty much dead on, you just want to tap into that existing front vent area and then it uses the hoods existing water traps for any water that does get in. Mine is just like w650gb500's now, but I'm doing a clean-up on my ski right now and I'm going to move the inake. I'm planning on using 3 or 4 1" pvc pipes.

 

[tomthewakeboarder]

Ok thats easy.. So should I tap into the first one? Its pretty tight to get some 1" pvc into it. The last one is nige and bulky though...

 

[w650gb500]

Actually I think you can move it to the other side? I seem to remember someone doing it and it simply points it backwards. All you need to do is template the 4 mounting screws and drill the intake hole with a holesaw.

Might be an idea for you.

 

[Wilke]

Ok thats easy.. So should I tap into the first one? Its pretty tight to get some 1" pvc into it. The last one is nige and bulky though...

You could tap the first on also, but it would be unnecessary extra work. The second one is a straight shot with lots of realestate to tap into and 3-4 1" intakes into it will be plenty of air.

Actually I think you can move it to the other side? I seem to remember someone doing it and it simply points it backwards. All you need to do is template the 4 mounting screws and drill the intake hole with a holesaw.

Might be an idea for you.

Moving the scoop to the other side would be a bad idea. That side has no drain to seperate any water intake, It just dumps sraight into the hull. It would be worse than leaving the stock front facing scoop.

 

[jetx]

hey tom...so what are all your plans for the build?

 

[tomthewakeboarder]

Well I would of had the waterbox drilled out by now but I was fumbling around with the drill bit and dropped it on the ground and it broke in half. So hopefully I can return it to rona and get another one. It was 25 bucks...

Other than that I bought some parts from prickofmisery in California. A starter relay because mine wasn't working, a finger throttle and a lanyard start stop. I'm waiting on a fcv as well. Tomorrow I'm going to buy some pvc and do the hood mod. I'll take some pics. I'm still trying to find some decent foot straps too to mount on there. Some turf would be nice as well but its not necessary right now.

The ski was running amazing last summer and I don't want to make too many changes. Losing some weight would be nice but I'm not racing it anyway.

 

[jetx]

Nice, what kind of motor setup you running?

If you need turf I have a brand new set for the X2 I would sell...just bought it off steveuk before xmas. Its black diamond, would sell it for what I piad. Pm if interested.

 

[tomthewakeboarder]

PM sent.

It has a stock 650 in it. It used to have a high compression head on it but I blew the gaskets first time I used it and put the stock head back on it. Look at the shape of the head though, I had seen some serious damage.

 

[tomthewakeboarder]

Heres what I got into today. I re routed the air using 1inch pvc pipe. I only used 3 pieces because I wanted to get it as high up as possible and it's really tight to fit in 4 near the top. I can add more if its not enough but I think it should be fine. This was a lot more difficult than I thought mostly because I was jamming everything up top and my one hole didn't line up very well so I had to put a joint in it. Here's the before and after pictures.

 

[tomthewakeboarder]

I also painted the purple plastic piece where the trim control and fuel switch go. Now my ski is going to be fully white.

 

[tomthewakeboarder]

Should I try and put in the old hood foam? Not sure how much floatation its going to provide me. I have a bilge and have only come close to sinking it once, when someone else was riding it.

 

[Wilke]

If its not too much trouble I would put it back in, it helps the ski right itself better and could keep you from sinking it. There is no benifit to not have it and no downside to having it, so if you can get it back in I would. If its a pain to get it back in I wouldn't worry about it though, lots of people have no hood foam.

 

[tomthewakeboarder]

Thanks for all the help with my ski Wilke. You should take a trip up to Daytona for a spring break ride. I'm coming down for the week of the 12th to 19th. And as long as my little trailer makes it I'm bringing the ski.