SV1000 Starts fine but no drive

[a1istair]

Hi

My friend's SV1000 has encountered a problem. It starts fine in neutal, and seems to switch into 1st and 2nd gears but when the clutch is let out nothing happens. The last time he was out (Fri), the clutch lever seemed "a bit different" and the biting point seemed to have shifted slightly. All this has happened suddenly after a 2 day period of non-riding. It seems like the clutch is either jammed on or the plates have stopped working completely. What has happened? How does he fix it?

Thanks for your help,

Alistair.

[Sid Squid]

It has an hydraulic clutch - well, it did, but I reckon it hasn't got any fluid in it now. Was a problem with some early SV1000s, a revised seal on the slave cylinder, (the bit on the sprocket cover), was fitted, but not all bikes were affected, it's possible that your friends bike has suffered the same.
I'd try refilling the system first, if this solves the problem then look for the leak.

[yorkie_chris]

Would no fluid in a hydraulic clutch not simply refuse to disengage?