02 Curvy stalls at low revs

[allantheboss]

I suspect that it's "carb icing". It happens every time I ride my bike to college in the morning, whenever I take off the throttle, if the choke isn't on.

Sometimes however, it happens later in the day as well, after my morning riding, when I would have expected the carbs to have de-iced. Much less frequently, however, but it still happens occasionally. and my bike seems to be on the verge of stalling when I leave it to idle.

Is this just the wild and wacky effects of typical frosty English mornings, dragging out slightly throughout the day?

[davepreston]

what is your idle speed at normal (no choke) 1300-1500 if not ajust your settings by turning small black disc left hand side of the engine betwen the two clynders by the frame hth

[allantheboss]

Yeah about any revs below that and it cuts out.. I will try the disc thing later though, left hand side when on the bike? Will I be able to get at it through full fairings?

Thanks a lot for the help! New to biking

[JamesMio]

Yes, left hand side when you're sat on the bike - it's a little black knobly disc which adjusts the engine's idling speed. Sounds like it's set a wee bit low at the moment.

[Dave20046]

Yeah about any revs below that and it cuts out.. I will try the disc thing later though, left hand side when on the bike? Will I be able to get at it through full fairings?

Thanks a lot for the help! New to biking
For the life of me I can't remeember which way you turn it (gut feeling is clockwise to raise the idle), anyway start the bike up let it tick over, twiddle with the nob (giggidy), give it a rev, let the needle settle (and repeat until you hit the desired tick over speed)
Somewhere around 1200 from memory

[allantheboss]

Where EXACTLY is this disc? I had a brief look (but it was fookin' freezin'), don't want to remove lowers unless I have to to get to it..

Thanks a lot guys

[fizzwheel]

I cant remember exactly, but its on the LHS, It pokes out either just under the fuel tank or in one of the sections of the frame.

Its a black plastic knob, not a disc, somewhere in the area I've put a red circle on in the pic below

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/fizzwheel/thisone.jpg

[allantheboss]

Yeah found it! Excellent! Ill see if it does its job the next freezing morning we have! Thanks a lot for your help guys!

[Dave20046]

Yeah found it! Excellent! Ill see if it does its job the next freezing morning we have! Thanks a lot for your help guys!
Also try filling up with super unleaded.

[LK-SV]

Also try filling up with super unleaded in the winter .....it'll help if it is carb-icing

Finished for you :D

[allantheboss]

Yeah I turned up the revs, theyre being a bit weird, sometimes at idle it at 1300 rpm, sometimes at 2300 rpm?? Without touching the knob (giggidy)

But out of pure chance, I was at tesco and decided to fill up with super unleaded for the first time ever, then come back to read your advice!

You guys are awesome, I love SV riders, they kick ass, thanks for all the help

[Dave20046]

Finished for you :D
He said the word freezing in his post :p


If you stull get the random idle despite using super unleaded you possibly have a leak or choke plunger stuck

[Thingus]

Glad you got it the way you want it :p in my short experience you can only judge the revs when it's fully warmed up, when you're starting it up they'll be all over the place every other day so dun worry.
Super-unleaded is indeeeeeeeeeeeed the way to go aswell. Only filled mine up with standard fuel twice since i had it, not had icing once.

[fastdruid]

Doesn't need to be freezing to get carb icing, in fact normally when actually below freezing its not so bad.

A degree or two above and moist/foggy is the worst for it.


Druid

[Biker Biggles]

When was it last serviced?If its been a while you probably have sticky choke plungers/cables,clogged air filter,shagged plugs,unbalanced carbs or a combination of all of the above.

[Dave20046]

If he/she doesn't service it themselves then chances of the choke plunges being done ever are low.

[allantheboss]

I had it serviced about 100 miles ago or less, a couple of weeks ago. Not by myself though...

All of today, Im having trouble getting it to tick over! Hasnt done so all day, and it fails to do so quite a lot. Its a pretty new battery, so I would have thought it shouldn't be that..

[Dave20046]

I had it serviced about 100 miles ago or less, a couple of weeks ago. Not by myself though...

All of today, Im having trouble getting it to tick over! Hasnt done so all day, and it fails to do so quite a lot. Its a pretty new battery, so I would have thought it shouldn't be that..
Have you tried it with your super unleaded in?
Like I said if you still get unstable tick over/holding revs when warm etc. It's likely stuck choke plungers or a leak in you system but first port of call would be choke plungers

[allantheboss]

Yeah there's super unleaded in there, but I've only done a few miles since, I think its still on the old unleaded..I haven't been on a proper ride recently, I will do so this weekend if I can, just to see what happens when its fully warmed.

But Ill need it to tick over first! I might make a video and post it so people can see exactly what's happening


(Does anybody know how I can make it NOT send me an e-mail every time someone posts something? Ive unchecked all the right boxes in "options" but Im still getting them)

[ridelikeaturtle]

I'd be surprised if a curvy was carb-icing. There should be carb heaters to keep this from happening.

If the idle is all over the place, like Dave20046 said I'd also suspect an air leak or stuck choke.

[fizzwheel]

(Does anybody know how I can make it NOT send me an e-mail every time someone posts something? Ive unchecked all the right boxes in "options" but Im still getting them)

Yes go into your user control panel and then choose "Edit Options" where it says "Default Subscription Mode" click the drop down box and choose "Do not subscribe" and that should sort it.

You may need to unsubscribe from any existing subscribed threads as well though

I agree with the others, your erratic idle may well be being caused by either one of both the carburettor choke plungers being stuck / seized. What does the choke lever feel like to move, is it moving freely or it it stiff ?

[allantheboss]

Thanks a lot, Ill try again!

Choke moves quite easily. Only as much resistance as expected. A light tap with the finger wont budge it.

What can I do about the stuck plungers or how can I make sure it's the case? The epitome of my mechanic skills pretty much involves removing fairing (lolololol), so an idiots guide if possible please!

[Biker Biggles]

Was it playing up before you had it serviced?Id take it back and tell them it aint right if the new fuel doesnt sort it.

[allantheboss]

No, not like this. Its always had problems ticking over in the first place firstly due to battery problems, but now the churning noise that the bike makes quickly just before it ticks over (not sure what that sound is) slows down more and more every time I try to get it started, until it's like vvvvvvvvvvvvvVVVVVRRRRRRRRRRop. vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvVVVVRRRRRRRRRRRRRRop. if that sort of makes sense!

Im gonna go and try and take a video now (sods law says it will work perfectly)

[allantheboss]

Here we go:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3ca7HAx3bo

I've left it charging for a few hours. It starts, I hold the throttle in place, and it cuts out. It would have only keep going if I really twisted the throttle, and even then, it might cut out if I eased it off.

From then on, is my story most mornings with 10 minutes left until college..

[Biker Biggles]

You still have battery problems.It should spin it better than that and for longer.What previous battery issues were there,and how did you fix it?More important have you checked out the charging system with a multimetre?Id also be asking whoever serviced it 100 miles ago what they actually did,because you need to know if its got new plugs and air filter,and if the carbs are balanced.

[davepreston]

that is definately a battery or reg rec problem i am very familiar with this f ing problem, to see which jump start it then take off charge,next start using brake if bike dies with electrical use its the reg rec thats gone

[allantheboss]

Well originally I had this problem, I was away from home, and my bike did this. I got the battery charged, but it died again. I needed to get home, so I bought a brand new battery, filled and charged it, and then all was fine and dandy. A couple of days later, it happened again, so after much trouble, I find out that it's got a faulted reg/rec, so I pay loads to get a brand new one installed.

So its got a pretty new battery, and an even newer reg/rec. Both within a few months old. Both less than 3.

I recently thought my new reg/rec might be faulty as well, so I had it checked, and it was running just as it should. That's pretty surely doing its job, and the battery is pretty new.

[allantheboss]

And at the service I got new spark plugs, not an air filter though

[davepreston]

well the simple truth is your battry is not getting charged hence the lack of fight at turn over , so the causes are one of these 3 things , altinator,reg/rec, battery, like i said do the simple test above to narrow it down, if it dies after using power(read brake lights,indicators) this means it is defo altinator or rec reg

[davepreston]

also this may sound silly but tighten the battry conectors/cables under the seat

[allantheboss]

Sorry Dave, I didn't really couldn't understand what to do for your test?

[dizzyblonde]

I have a reg/rec problem on one of my SVs. I know it is this, as..

I use only one battery between the two bikes. On my black SV(the suspected naffed reg/rec) when I rev it, the headlights dim 'significantly'. When I say significantly, its not slightly, like my yellow SV...its huge and very noticeable. When I noticed this one morning after finishing work, the day after the battery was as flat as a fart. I charged it up, and it has worked absolutely fine on the yellow SV. I can bet my bottom dollar the black one would discharge the battery pretty darn quick.


Although, to add.....the revs DO NOT go all over the place as you describe

Sorting choke cables is a barstwerd. It involves taking fairings off, tank off, air box off...and usually plenty of swearing and cursing, and skimmed knuckles. Its been a long time since I have seen this performed on either of my bikes. What usually happens with this problem is very very poor running. It struggles very much to give much power.

[Alpinestarhero]

I'd be surprised if a curvy was carb-icing. There should be carb heaters to keep this from happening.

This is true, but they need time to warm up. I find that without some fuel treatment or when using "normal" unleaded fuel, the first 10 mins on a cold morning can cause my bike to cut out due to carb icing, until the heaters are coming into play. The worst time was riding on a very cold, misty night about 2 years ago, my bike wasn't playing ball for 15-20 minutes! I eventually stopped at a petrol station and let any heat in the engine warm the carbs, before setting off. Once up to temp, the bike ran perfect for all of 100 miles around the motorway. In the pitch black. In the freezing cold. in the thick fog.

Never again.

As for the erractic idle: the choke may well move fine, but you only need a choke plunger to be ever so slightly not closed to cause high idling. On my bike, when I had choke problems, it was the front one what was not closing properly due to a small amount of corrosion.

Further more, getting, and keeping, the carbs balanced helps with good running :-)

[allantheboss]

I have a reg/rec problem on one of my SVs. I know it is this, as..


But.. but... I had it checked a few weeks ago, and they said the charge rate both with headlights and without were just what they should be?

[dizzyblonde]

Have you run an extra earth?
The earth thats stuck to the rear cylinder sometimes corrodes and causes issues. Try running an extra one.
Also dunno if this is possible, and someone with more technical brain may correct me, have you had the coils checked.

I've had enough electrical gremlins to shake a stick at with my yellow SV, so I can throw a whole load of suggestions your way to look for, which I have had with mine.

[Biker Biggles]

Just to clarify------You had this problem and got a new battery,and you later found the reg was faulty?If you ran the bike with a new battery and a reg that was overcharging you may have cooked the new battery.This could account for it not holding a charge now.Just a thought.

[Alpinestarhero]

Have you run an extra earth?
The earth thats stuck to the rear cylinder sometimes corrodes and causes issues. Try running an extra one.
Also dunno if this is possible, and someone with more technical brain may correct me, have you had the coils checked.

I've had enough electrical gremlins to shake a stick at with my yellow SV, so I can throw a whole load of suggestions your way to look for, which I have had with mine.

Diz, can you get me a picture of the exact location of this earth?!

[Rai86]

Firstly dont use any other super unleaded other than shell V-Power, as the others are all rubbish. Get a bottle of Silkolene Pro-FST - its anti freeze for fuel. I would suggest replacing the battery as its cold and they get weak in the cold.

And stripping and cleaning the carbs and then balancing them properly

Let us how that goes

:-)

[dizzyblonde]

Diz, can you get me a picture of the exact location of this earth?!

lol, well its very err not noticeable its hidden well! oh and its very dark outside;-), and I never took one when this was looked at. I'm sure someone who reads this thread who knows where it is will no doubt post one eventually.

Firstly dont use any other super unleaded other than shell V-Power, as the others are all rubbish. Get a bottle of Silkolene Pro-FST - its anti freeze for fuel.



Never had to use any of that apart from normal unleaded...and its bleddy grim oop ere in winter...specially at 5am! Heard a few folk go on about this Pro-FST stuff, but is it really necessary? Can't see how, and I've had mine out every winter.

[Rai86]

Never had to use any of that apart from normal unleaded...and its bleddy grim oop ere in winter...specially at 5am! Heard a few folk go on about this Pro-FST stuff, but is it really necessary? Can't see how, and I've had mine out every winter.

Every bike is different, some will suffer with it some wont. Dependent on engine wear etc.

Try it if it works -ace, if not - carb rebuild/replace

Tell ya what nice and warm darn south :D:cool:

[fizzwheel]

Well it would appear you've got two seperate problems then

1. Your battery and or reg rec is duff

Now I am no expert on the battery reg / rec situation, but here is a post by a man who is. Get a multimeter and follow the instructions and see what results you get.

If you reg / rec is knackered its quite possible that your new battery is now also knackered as well.


First charge the battery and check the voltage across the battery terminals, (not immediately after disconnecting the charger, you'll get a falsely high reading), should be about 13V, much less and the battery is past it's best, do this first as some supposed charging system faults are duff batteries.

With the lights on and the engine spinning at 5000rpm there should be a reading of between 13.5 and 15V at the battery, if the reading is above 15V the regulator doesn't, if it's below 13.5V either the regulator is toasted or the alternator or wiring is goosed. This is a good rule of thumb test, but does assume that your meter is reasonably accurate, if you're not convinced your meter is accurate try this:
Ensure the battery is fully charged, start the engine, turn on the lights and rev the motor to about 5000rpm, what you're looking for is a rise in the reading of at least a volt, and when the engine speed falls back to tickover that it's still either equal to or preferably a bit above whatever reading you got from the battery alone.

Rai is correct, Cold weather will quite feasably finish off a weak battery, but dont shell out for a replacement till you have checked the charging circuit...

2. 2. You've got an idling problem once you get the bike running

Now I would wager based on experience as said this is more than likely a stuck choke plunger, now if one is stuck they probably both are, and your choke cable might well be corroded up... ( of course without seeing the cable / plungers themselves its hard to tell )

I would suggest though if you dont have much spare time / or arent mechanically minded it may be worth taking your bike back to the garage that serviced it and having a word with them about what they did or didnt do.

Choke plungers can be difficult to get at. The screws are brass IIRC and corrode into the carburettor bodies and it can be a complete pig to get them undo as the heads chew up very very very very easily.

I found it easier to lift the tank, take the airbox off, and then remove the carbs from the bike and then undo the screws that way. It can be done with time / patience and the right tools. Of course if you are going to the length of cleaning and refitting the plungers IMHO whilst you are at it, you might as well fit a new choke cable to. Now heres a tip, when you refit the cable it splits into two about halfway down ( one cable from the front carb and one for the back ) theres a splitter box there, pack it grease as it stops the water running down the cable and rusting it up...

[allantheboss]

Been on the phone with Sir DavePreston. It doesn't seem to be a battery problem, or R/R problem. Bike probably has "Cold Morning Syndrome".

Gonna try during the frosty mornings with the choke on, and get some Silkolene Pro-FST see if that does the trick.

If not, I will strip, balance, and clean carbs.

If that doesn't work, I will go crazy, and buy a scooter, tuck my tracksuit bottoms into my socks, and articulate like a *****

[Rai86]

What oil was put in when it was serviced mate?

[Dave20046]

Been on the phone with Sir DavePreston. It doesn't seem to be a battery problem, or R/R problem. Bike probably has "Cold Morning Syndrome".

Gonna try during the frosty mornings with the choke on, and get some Silkolene Pro-FST see if that does the trick.

If not, I will strip, balance, and clean carbs.

If that doesn't work, I will go crazy, and buy a scooter, tuck my tracksuit bottoms into my socks, and articulate like a *****
Before stripping down the carbs (@rse) I'd seariously try just lifting the tank poking a screw driver through to the choke plunger securing screws(hope they aren't seized too much) and open em up pull out your choke assemply, clean and lubricate. Then give it a trial.

[allantheboss]

**************

Gonna try during the frosty mornings with the choke on, and get some Silkolene Pro-FST see if that does the trick.

*****Check and clean choke plungers*********

If not, I will strip, balance, and clean carbs.

If that doesn't work, I will go crazy, and buy a scooter, tuck my tracksuit bottoms into my socks, and articulate like a *****

[allantheboss]

What oil was put in when it was serviced mate?

No idea, sorry

[Alpinestarhero]

No idea, sorry

Not sure why oil was brought up, but for your future refereance (incase you're not sure, many people don't know) 10w40 semi synthetic or fully synthetic motorcycle oil is what suzuki recommend :D

[Rai86]

Not sure why oil was brought up, but for your future refereance (incase you're not sure, many people don't know) 10w40 semi synthetic or fully synthetic motorcycle oil is what suzuki recommend :D

It was brought up as due to viscosity in the cold mornings, incorrect oil will cause the same symptoms as a weak battery

[sunshine]

It was brought up as due to viscosity in the cold mornings, incorrect oil will cause the same symptoms as a weak battery

only took 49 posts for oil viscosity to be brought up.
but reading the thread im sure by taking it to have someone else do the serviced they will have known what oil to use, and even if it was the oil, it wouldnt effect them this badly tbh :p

[Rai86]

only took 49 posts for oil viscosity to be brought up.
but reading the thread im sure by taking it to have someone else do the serviced they will have known what oil to use, and even if it was the oil, it wouldnt effect them this badly tbh :p

its an easy mistake to make, and it can seriously affect cold starting, the op asked for advice and i gave him some

assumtion is the mother of all **** ups

[davepreston]

update required young al hows it running atm

[Rai86]

Soooooo Hows it going?

[allantheboss]

Its alright... I'm so baffled to what's wrong. I ruled out battery as it was a young one. However, the same old story today, so I decided to put in the old old battery which was charged, and it fired up like magic, so now I'm on a tester for a few days to see if this will keep it going. 90% sure it's not reg-rec as its newish, and the guy who serviced it recently said he lubed/sorted out the choke plungers because he knew it was a common problem, and he said that the bike was charging as it should...

So I'm waiting to see if it was just a horrible battery at the moment! I hope so!

[fizzwheel]

90% sure it's not reg-rec as its newish

You'd be surprised...

Dont guess, get a multimeter and test it...

[allantheboss]

You'd be surprised...

Dont guess, get a multimeter and test it...


I'll get one soon. A mechanic stuck a multimeter on it yesterday, was all working fine and dandy (sorry, I forgot to mention)

[noob-saibot]

here's a handy printable fault finding chart you can take out to the bike with you

http://www.electrosport.com/technical-resources/library/diagnosis/fault-finding-guide.php

[allantheboss]

Sweet stuff. It's been starting on the button since I've put the old battery back in! I'm chuffed! See how long it lasts though...

And does anyone know where I can find a hi-mount exhaust hanger for a curvy?

[Wideboy]

sure your hooked up to the alternator correctly....... i had a similar experience to the reg/rec fault but turned out to be a loose connection to the alternator

[allantheboss]

How can I check?

[Wideboy]

trace the wire back from the left hand side of the motor