Thrilliot

I just picked up a 1987 Kawasaki JS300 locally for $100. The hull is sitting in my yard and the engine is in my garage. I plan on doing a full ground up rebuild. I am going to try to keep a photo log and update this as I make progress. Also, does anyone have any suggestions for this rebuild or have any experience doing one? Thanks!

Thrilliot

Took a scrub brush and some water mixed with a little degreaser/general cleaner to her today for about 2.5 hours. Doesn't even look like the same machine anymore. Still need to compound out some spots but the gel coat held up amazingly, no cracks only a few scratches from the previous owner.

p10sdad

I wouldn't waste my time or money on a 300. I think once you get it on the water, the performance your going to get out of a 300 is not going to be what you. Since you already have though, as long as the crank spins, I would just put in a new battery and piston kit, and then sell it. You might be able to get 500 for a running 300. Just my 2 cents, but if you really want to keep it and rebuild it, we'll help walk you through it

Thrilliot

I'm going to rebuild the 300cc engine and get everything on the ski 100% and then hunt for a 550cc to build up to swap into it. It will be a nice variation of learning from my 16' Baja

Thrilliot

Stripped the exhaust manifold and muffler assembly off the engine today, had to cut the tops off two bolts that got stuck in the elbow while taking it off the manifold. Soaked them all in degreaser and cleaned out the water jackets as best I could. Other than that everything went smooth with a little help from PB Breaker. The head is another story though, got all the nuts off but its still not budging. I've been giving it a shot all around of PB Breaker every few hours or so to hopefully loosen it up. From what I can see through the exhaust port though, the piston and rings look great.

Thrilliot

Pulled the cylinder off the crankcase today and removed the carburetor from the crankcase. The cylinder head is still stuck on the body though and I can't manage to pry it off and don't want to damage the head, anyone have any ideas? I've basically soaked this thing in PB Blaster and it still won't budge. The cylinder had some dirt and other grime on top so I gently scraped off as much as I could making sure not to nick the surface. It looks much better now. Cleaned the rings, they looked great too. The reeds inside the reed cage looked phenomenal too, not bent at all. They were nice and tight to the cage.

jonesy54

that's a good looking hull you got to start with. I'm surprised how well it cleaned up.

I like that old Jeep Wagoneer in the background too.

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-1990 X-2 - the weird one
-1987 JS550 - bone stock and staying that way for now
-1984 JS550 - restored, 440 pump, Skat Trak, primer, thumb throttle

sectrew

How has this project gotten on?

98yota

Your ski looks great! I've always thought one of those one lungers would be a fun project. Keep up the good work!

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1993 Yamaha WaveBlaster 701
1989 Yamaha WaveJammer 500