EPIC Beach Bash: Breaking in the Overhauled 550 Kawi Engine with a Surprise Guest List! 🎉🚀"

Get ready for an adrenaline-pumping adventure as we dive into Part 2 of Jet Ski Jim's epic "barn find" series! In this episode, Jim unveils his latest treasure: a vintage 1990 Kawasaki 550 stand-up jet ski that's been hiding in obscurity for years. Watch as he meticulously takes you through every step of the exhilarating overhaul process, transforming this forgotten gem into a roaring beast once more. But just when you think it's smooth sailing, a little snag throws a twist into the mix. No worries, though, because Jim's got a dream team of friends by his side - the fearless Merlon, the daring Rick, and the ever-skeptical Jen. They're all here to help break in and test ride this resurrected beast! Brace yourself for some heart-pounding action and stay tuned for Jen's surprising verdict on the 550. You won't want to miss this epic ride of nostalgia and new beginnings! 🌊🚀 #JetSkiJim #BarnFindAdventure #RevivedAndThriving
Get yer PUMP STUFFERS here - prowatercraftracing.com
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[@barbaradaugherty5826]

Easy to understand!

[@dreamlinerkoa6438]

Good Series🎉

[@REICapital]

9th

[@havasubooo8840]

🤣🤣🤣 strive for perfection!!

[@HavasuHeidi]

so cool that Jen loves that ski now...

[@lowleebird1493]

Great job.

[@jetskijim007]

Thank you. :-)

[@Debbielahey-ds2gu]

Thanks for sharing!!!

[@sofarout]

right? He's so cool.

[@roberthood2352]

Another excellent video, very informative 👍👍

[@jetskijim007]

Thanks 👍

[@hammondsoffice]

Man i wish i lived closer i need a jet ski genius help

[@jromem7313]

Still got my 92 sx 550 with every possible hard to find aftermarket parts. Spent 200 bucks on a ocean pro gas cap delete cover and that was almost 10 years ago. Sx stuff is rare. Great to see this unicorn on the water

[@jetskijim007]

Thank you! The 92 is an awesome ski. :-)

[@lchebuhar9212]

Cool project - thanks for taking us along. 💪👍🏼

[@jetskijim007]

You bet. Thank you for the feedback. :-)

[@slickyblick]

You are very knowledgeable about jetskis! Thank you for spreading your knowledge!!🎉🎉

[@jetskijim007]

Thank you so much. :-)

[@jerryhopkins5715]

Good seeing Merlin again

[@pestcontrolguys]

I want to ride it!!!

[@jetskijim007]

Any time!!!!! Get yer butt out here! :-)

[@davidcolesr.8628]

Good to See You Jim, Living the Good Life with that One Fella ?? Fab Rats Third Cousin or Something 😂! You Fella’s are Class Acts, I enjoy Everything you all put together. I’ll catch you on the next one, Keep it Safe Out There Sir

[@jetskijim007]

Thank you for the kind words. :-)

[@ramjam720]

You mentioned chamfering the ports, but we used to open up the ports with a die grinder to get more power. I think the operation is the same, only more radical. BTW, I hate thumb throttles. My two '78s and my 77 had the old style finger throttles. Dangerous?! Maybe. But they were all I ever used until...

[@jetskijim007]

yes, in the future, I hope to do some "porting" videos, I think it would be cool to share this...

[@AtimatikArmy]

The five fifty is still my most favorite ski. They take some skill to ride, but they are definitely the most fun. Oh, by the way, they're relatively cheap... what's not to love?!

[@jetskijim007]

for sure.

[@fullertonbikes]

Hey Jim nice to meet you today thanks for letting ride the rocket 🚀👍👍🙏👊

[@jetskijim007]

Nice meeting you as well! Glad you enjoyed it! :-)

[@NickDigger3000]

So cool. I had a brand new 93 550 that was slow. Had every upgrade you did to this ski, other than intake filled up and carb adjustments that you did. Wish I had it back to see if this was the problem why it was slower than my friends. Friends were done at a shop. I did everything myself and always wondered what was wrong. Thanks for the videos

[@jetskijim007]

Right on. :-)

[@timewa851]

had 'twin' 550s. One was always 1/2 step behind in acceleration. Later, had the Jet Power exhaust pipe system off, light shining into the ports just right. Pin hole leak /flaw at the casting seam of the exhaust main body casting. It was getting a trace of water leaking/injected into the exhaust system right at the discharge from one cylinder! Boggy. lol.

[@KRAVER_]

That ski runs good. Great video thanks for sharing Jim

[@stonedog03]

Thanks for sharing your experience and expertise with us Jimmy!

[@ryanorr5755]

Awesome ski

[@InfamousElGuapo]

I heard "X-2" in there...Man those were fun skis.

[@blackbuttecruizr]

Great build

[@georgepetrillo7316]

Awesome video. Excellant part on the carb work you did. You touched on a couple things in reference to possible air leak points and how to remedy them.

[@jetskijim007]

Thank you so much. :-)

[@hammerdownpowersports]

Need wiring help on sea doo gts 1995

[@jetskijim007]

What are you having issues with?

[@dougfeehan8421]

awesome video

[@dgc940]

Speaking for me Back 30+ years ago all the skis I worked on ran at least 6 mph faster because I was 35lbs lighter lol. Back when I was rebuilding 4-6 skis a month I used chainsaw files with wooden dowels to save my hand. Man I hated the old round pump carbs, And just like you said if it wasnt genuine mukuni or kehin parts I didnt even consider them. Did lots of seadoos but got my diaphrams from Yamaha so much cheeper han same one from Bombardier. Still from time to time see a clean old seadoo or Kaw come thru the door. I never test rode them as Been burned out but always had a kid around shop. Why the -11 plug? want extra gap????

[@jetskijim007]

Lol, I love it! Yeah, I have had to adjust my speed numbers over the years as my weight increased. :-) As for the plugs, they were the only ones I had in stock.

[@bradleymadosh911]

What i do to bikes and cars when they flood is take a propane tank torch and light it up and pull rhe plugs and stick the flame in the spark plug hole. It burns up all the old fuel and its good to put new plugs in and starts every time

[@ac9928]

@20:00 lol......

[@bozly209]

where would I drill out on a kehein 38 mm carb?

[@dustinwild]

Where do we get a copy of this Jetski Bible you speak of? I just picked up my second 550, and am obsessed with this sport. Love the videos, and such great information! Thanks for sharing!

[@jetskijim007]

I Apologize, I had a snippet where I explained that. It must have ended up edited out. watcon.com/products/jet-ski-bible-and-watcon-2-stroke-technology-notes

[@SoDogtravels]

Did my dad do any upholstery for you?he had a shop on the south side

[@juanpabloramirez6565]

I have one and never work well, i will tear apart and re check was wrong. Main of problem is not start right please tell me what i need to check

[@milesprebble3820]

@jet ski jim - Why don't you use resistor plugs? I'm working on my 550 REED and it calls for a BR8ES. You mention that the 8 is too cold for this build? Why is that?

[@jetskijim007]

This is the video where I go into detail about resistor plugs: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j3vFoWaEf8d_jZo No, 550 reed and 750 engines are designed and built for 8 series heat range (more efficient). 440/550 piston port and 650 engines (less efficient)were all designed for the 7 series heat range. Hope this clears it up. :-)

[@ryanbaroni4729]

Are the B7ES plugs the correct plugs for a reed motor 550 as well?

[@jetskijim007]

I think the 550 reed motor called for the b8es plug.

[@ryanbaroni4729]

@@jetskijim007 Do you know what to gap them at?

[@reapering125]

whats the correct non resistor spark plug for a 95 x2

[@jetskijim007]

NGK B7ES. :-)

[@adrionvanbeurden6365]

Jim, I’ve collected (5) waveventure 1100s to restore for my family. What do you recommend for the carburetor settings? The 1997 technical update details; #80 spring in carbs 1 &2, #95 spring in carb 3. Low speed jets #75 High speed jets #107.5, 95, 107.5 Needle valves all 1.2 Pop off pressures 54,54, 64 Does this sound correct? Thanks!!!

[@jetskijim007]

Assuming you are still running stock oil injection, stock flame arrestor box, etc. Yes, those are good numbers.

[@adrionvanbeurden6365]

@@jetskijim007 thanks Jim, appreciate you

[@1964hotrodder]

Have you installed rear exhaust on like an 1985 550? Is so any pointers?

[@jetskijim007]

Yes, but it has been 25 years or so, LOL, but I don't remember any gotcha's. It should be just like the 650. Did you check out the 650sx rear exhaust conversion video I did? I walk trough the whole process. the title is "stand out from the crowd with this 650sx rear exhaust conversion". :-)

[@1964hotrodder]

@@jetskijim007 yes I did watch that one, so the ski floatation does not change for the amount of foam u have to cut out?like it sinks more on one side?

[@jetskijim007]

no, it sure doesn't. Oddly enough....

[@jksebright1]

Good to hear you without Merlin trying to show his intelligence while you are talking....