My mate'll kill me...

[KNZEE]

Hi, I've just registered.

I don't have a SV650 myself but my mate does.

He's gone to India for 6 months and has left his bike with me. I have been regularly starting it up every week, running it for a couple of mins and then shutting it down again. ( I realise this doesn't help but I can't ride a bike)

However, I just went to start it and it's 'click-click-phut'. The panel lights are on and the alarm is on too but it refuses to start. Actually it refuses to do anything but click. Not being a biker myself I thought I'd remove the battery, charge it up and stick it back in. Only problem, I can't work out how to get it out. The back panel (with key lock) comes off but I can't work out how to grt to the battery. I can't find a manual on-line to tell me, so can any of you guys help before my mate comes back and brains me?

KNZEE

[BillyC]

It's unlikely that he could expect to leave his bike for six months and find the battery in good enough order to start the bike when he came back.

Getting at the battery is slightly different between the two models of SV. If it's a 2003 or later, remove the two panels either side of the seat by removing the Allen bolts. Next unbolt the seat by removing the bolts that were under the panels... lift the seat out from the front. The battery will be right under your nose. Unbolt the terminals (negative first), and put the battery on a charger. Probably best to leave it there - starting the bike while he's away will do it no favours.

Any takers on describing the curvy (99-02)?

[haggis]

OK, firstly... dont panic.

I'm sure it's just the battery. Especially if you're just starting it for a short time.

Secondly, and this one might stump you....

Is it a curvy or a pointy?

The easy way to tell is the rear brakelight. Are they two bulbs in one lens in the centre (curvy) or two vertical strips of LED's (pointy)?

On a curvy you do this... (i dont want to presume it's the same on pointys, but i guess it's similar)

To remove the battery you need to take off (or swing em out the way at least) the two black panels either side of the rider seat. A 4mm allen key.

Then the 5mm allen key for the rider seat. One bolt each side behind those black panels. Lift the seat upwards at the front, then slide forwards.

You will see a plastic bit with the relays, it lifts up to reveal........the holy grail!!....no, sorry i mean the battery. 10mm spanner on the tabs.

Thats about it really.

[yorkie_chris]

Stop starting it up all the time. He's gone away for 6 months it'll need a proper service whatever you do.

Charge the battery once a month and give the whole thing except brakes and tyres a spray with some ACF50 or FS365

[fizzwheel]

Any takers on describing the curvy (99-02)?

Its pretty much the same.

Unbolt the allen key that holds the two black panels on that are under the seat and then swing them away towards the back of the bike. Then unbolt the two bolts that hold the riders seat on, lift the riders seat off and then lift up the black tray that the fuses sit in and then undo the battery terminal as BillyC describes above.

What'll have flattened the battery IMHO is the alarm, as it drains a very small current and eventually the battery goes flat and the bike wont start, That clicking noise you describe is classic of a flat battery.

I'd also agree with BillyC dont re-connect the battery with the alarm on its just going to go flat again if the bikes not benig ridden and then when your mate comes back he's going to need a new battery as letting it get really discharged can knackered a modern gel battery.

The best thing to do if you can is to buy your mate an optimate and leave the battery connected to that.

http://www.accumate.co.uk/it010003.html

HTH

[haggis]

May i suggest!......

It would be in the best interests for the bike (and therefore your mates too) that you ought to get your Direct Access test done and ride the damn thing!!!! :o

[tanis34]

May i suggest!......

It would be in the best interests for the bike (and therefore your mates too) that you ought to get your Direct Access test done and ride the damn thing!!!! :o
+1 lol:-D

[Wayluya]

I wouldn't sweat it. Leave it for yer mate to sort out.

If he has half a brain he will realise that 6 months of no use will likely mean a flat battery. How it got flat is irrelevent............... and whilst battery removal is not rocket science, IMO it falls into the category of "if you need to ask. don't".

I once gave me step-sister instructions over the telephone on how to fit a battery into a mini (old style) that had been on charge. Dozy mare managed to fit it the wrong way around and fried all the electrics (lots of open wires under the bonnet all melted together). And life don't get easier than fitting a battery to a mini!

Strangely enuf the mini ran for another 6 months.......

[ThEGr33k]

My SV's has died too... Ill have to get it out and give it a good run. :(

[KNZEE]

Lads,

Thanks very much for the heads up on how to get to the battery, I'll dismantle the bike next week (it's actually parked in our underground car park at work, so I can't charge it in situ). I'll mention to my mate that he'll need it serviced when he gets back.

Also, I got all the jibes:smt074, and just so you don't think I'm some girly cyclist or something, I'm 55 and passed my full bike test in 1972, when we didn't even have indicators. I've had Kwackers and Hondas galore, but I'm not a true biker now. I've settled for a more sedate Piaggio X9 500. It'll do 100mph, is always the first away at the lights and I don't get backache riding it. That said, good luck to you real bikers. :-D

KNZEE