My summer project - 1995 Polaris SLX 780

**Kracka** · 05-30-2009

For Christmas Janelle's parents gave me their used watercraft and trailer. It hasn't run in a few years, but I think with a little TLC it'll be good as new. I just bought a service manual for it and plan to trailer it from their garage today. The SLX780 was pretty much the race boat to beat back in the mid 90's so I'm pretty pumped to get it back on the water. I used to have a 1994 SL650 which has the same basic layout as the '95 SLX780 and since I got very familiar with that one (modded it...of course) I think I should be able to handle this one no problem. The only thing I don't know much about is carburetors, and since it has 3 that may pose as my largest obstacle. I do have experience tuning single carb setups though so we'll see! I'll try to get some pictures posted later.

95talonracer · 05-30-2009

if you need any help let me know. I just sold my pro 785 which was their actual factory race ski and it had 140 hp! if you want to get major power I have a set of triple pipes which should ad at least 20 hp. good luck and keep us posted.

**Kracka** · 05-30-2009

Oh nice! The Pro came out in '96 right? Or was it '95? Its been so long since I was into these things the specs are getting a bit fuzzy in my brain. Mind giving me more info on those triple pipes?

A//// Guy · 05-31-2009

We have a kawasaki 750ss and it scoots pretty good. Clean the carb and i bet it will fire right up.

FattyBoomBatty · 05-31-2009

Pic please, I love jet skis.

**Kracka** · 05-31-2009

**Kracka** · 05-31-2009

I just went and picked it up this morning. It hasn't been used since 2005 so it was covered in a pretty thick layer of dust and lots of lake grime. $2.50 at a DIY carwash took care of most of that and I think it looks fairly decent for spending 10 of its 14 years of life sitting in a lake. I plan to replace the maintenance stuff (battery, fuel filter, fuel lines, spark plugs, etc.), clean out the carbs, grease the driveshaft, clean out the pump housing really well, and drain/replace the fuel and oil over the next few weeks. I'd love to have this thing running by the 4th of July weekend! Once its running I'll spend some time cleaning up the body and replacing the footwell mats.

twack · 05-31-2009

Are you going to paint it and take it out of the 90s? you pullin this with the evo?? j/k or are ya

**Kracka** · 05-31-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by twack

Are you going to paint it and take it out of the 90s? you pullin this with the evo?? j/k or are ya

I'll worry about paint once its running

I really don't mind the paint/decal scheme to be honest. I was really into these things back in the 90's and used to love how they looked. Kind of like a lot of us thinking 1G's are sexy I suppose. If I do anything, I'll strip the decals off, paint the plastic rub rails black, and get a black seat cover and black well mats to go for a nice clean black/white scheme.

My mom is nice enough to let me borrow her Grand Cherokee to haul it around, I'm not so sure the Evo or WRX would appreciate having it hooked up

twack · 05-31-2009

Havnt you seen the 1g that pulls a boat regularly

**Kracka** · 05-31-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by twack

Havnt you seen the 1g that pulls a boat regularly

Nope, but I've seen S2000's towing sailboats. My plan is to trailer it to the lake once its running and leave it there so my mom's Jeep will do fine.

**cmspaz** · 05-31-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by twack

Havnt you seen the 1g that pulls a boat regularly

You mean a local one, or the one owned by that mod on DSMtalk?

**goodhart** · 05-31-2009

I say leave the decals on, paint the rub rails black, get black well mats, and get a black seat cover, that would look pretty nice IMO

**Kracka** · 05-31-2009

I bid on a rear grab handle on eBay (current one is broken in half) that I plan to paint black if I win it and I messaged a guy about some black mats he is selling. That'll be about it for cosmetic stuff until its up and running since that's what I really need to focus on right now.

FattyBoomBatty · 05-31-2009

You can always do a motor swap from something bigger/newer that has more powa!

Or get a bigger carb, mill the head and run e85.

twack · 05-31-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmspaz

You mean a local one, or the one owned by that mod on DSMtalk?

i ment the mod on talk, this isnt a setup shot he regularly uses it

**cmspaz** · 05-31-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by twack

i ment the mod on talk, this isnt a setup shot he regularly uses it

It's true! The funny thing is that he owns a pickup, but still tows with the Talon. Great guy, he was up here on vacation last fall and I had lunch with him.

4g63tcrazy · 05-31-2009

+1 on E85!

Kevin 1G Drummer · 06-01-2009

Nice project! I had a '95 Yamaha Waveblaster 700 with a few mods. That thing was a lot of fun! Seeing this makes me miss it.

Pushit2.0 · 06-01-2009

Most boats are light, so they would not put to much extra stress on the drive train, and a DSM or similar might get better MPG then a truck. I would not try to launch the car or do high way pulls, but driving normal I think it would be fine.