bike won't start

[magicrat]

Hi guys,
I posted a couple of days ago about my bike not starting (SV curvy) I've just discovered that the clutch relay wasn't connected. I've now connected it up and it seems like it wants to start, plenty of battery power, making the right whirring noises etc, but the engine just won't fire up. Hopefully its something obvious. I know nowt when it comes to mechanics!
Any suggestions much apprieciated.

[magicrat]

no matter, persistance has paid off, feathered the throttle a bit and it fired up! I'm off out for a ride now, 1st ttime on the SV since November!

[Alpinestarhero]

Let it all warm up proper, and go out for a good hour at least and get that throttle properly opened :D SV's love a good thrash :D

Matt

[yorkie_chris]

Sometimes when it needs a touch of throttle to start thats a sign the carbs need balancing. Then again some still need it when they're in balance anyway.

[embee]

Generally speaking a cold start is best done with no throttle. The carbs or fuel injection will normally sort out the extra air requirement along with the enrichment by themselves.

I can't remember, is your's a curvy with carbs? If so then when cold I use full choke and no throttle, it always fires up within a second or so. Sometimes it will stall immediately after start (I think this is down to residual fuel in the carbs being used and fresh fuel not yet filling the carbs). In this case a second prod of the button will invariably give a sustained run.

As soon as it's running robustly the choke can be gradually backed off to a sensible fast idle (e.g. 2K rpm) then after it has settled, maybe 30sec, just ride off gently and the choke can be closed almost straight away.

Some bikes with carbs can be near impossible to start if you touch the throttle while the choke is used.

[yorkie_chris]

Generally speaking a cold start is best done with no throttle. The carbs or fuel injection will normally sort out the extra air requirement along with the enrichment by themselves.

Afaik SV doesn't have chokes as such, it has idle enrichment, that's why they don't take effect with the throttle open.

Only if they're balanced, but generally yes that's best way.

[magicrat]

H'mm well to start mine it took throttle and full choke. It hadn't been started since November like.

Just been out for a run and everything seems in order. And it starts no probs now, no choke or throttle at first touch of the button.

Gonna put it in for a service in the next couple of weeks. its at 14900 miles, and I believe its due a big service around now?

Gettin back on the sv has just made my weekend tho, now I can get rid of the deathtrap that is my little Honda (pictured).

[yorkie_chris]

Gonna put it in for a service in the next couple of weeks. its at 14900 miles, and I believe its due a big service around now?

Yeah, valve clearance checks

[magicrat]

Oh well, there goes my savings...
still, theres worse things to spend your money on.

[yorkie_chris]

Much better things too.

Spend the money on a manual and some tools and do it yoursen :-P