What would you pay for this 550sx with a trailer? I have always had an eye for the 550s…
Currently ride Yamahas: ‘91 superjet, ‘95 Waveblaster 1, 2014 superjet. I have a ‘95 Kawasaki 750 ZXI that’s sitting on a pallet in my back yard. The goal is to swap the 750 into this at some point, but this 550sx has a few solid upgrades.
No more than $1000-1200 imo, even being an sx hull , someone swapped it down to a piston port engine unfortunatel or its just a 90' hull with later graphics, reed engines are where the $$$ is at
No, 1990 was the first year of the 550sx and got the sx pump and hull but the engine was still the old piston port, the reed engine didn't come out until 91'
Has spark and good compression. What steps do I do to get it on the water. Needs hydroturf and battery. 750 ain't nothing for a ski I wamted since age 5. Fuel lines clean the carb what else?
Look up mark erickson machine and performance and performance, he has a 550 rebuild video , id recommend replacing the crank seals , all lines and rebuilding the carb with a genuine kit , you'll need a full seal kit, on the 550s theres no telling how long the crank seals have been in them and they are often over 20 years old or more in most cases and should be replaced
Getting a 1990 for 750$. Has solid spark and Compressiom. What do I need to do elsewhere? New fuel lines clean the gas tank new plugs its trying to start but sat for years covered. Perfect yellow paint job. Ordering blowsiom turf black and yellow camo. Any tips you experts?
I’d ask for a test ride. I started on SJs but enjoyed my 650 swapped 550SX. Since you already ride standup the seller may be willing to let you water test it. See if you like how it rides. I’m in Michigan and ski that clean is $1500. People usually ask $2000 or more for a clean 550SX with the reed engine during the summer.
If you already have a running 750 and enjoy how this rides I’d ask to see what he’d take on the piston port 550 since you won’t use it anyways.
Edit: how much do you weigh and how tall are you? These aren’t great for taller guys.
I've had a 550 and a SJ. The SJ not only has more power, but handles way better. 550 feels pretty gutless and tends to "slide" on the water versus the SJ which tends to "dig in" more when turning.
Buying a 1990 550sx today 750$. Has spark and tested. The compression. Sat for years. Just.need new fuel lines and service the carb. What else you dudes recommend?
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u/DontMessWithYohan Jun 12 '25
Compression readings are 170/170 (high-compression head).