View Full Version : Bike On It's Side
Woken by a text from a flat mate this morning to find my bike on its **** outside. :smt011
Anyway, with a hand we halled it back up. It had clearly been pushed left (as you sit on it), over the side stand and onto the floor. Something which i very much doubt the wind could have done.
There was a fair amount of oil all down the left side of the tank, the handle bars and under the tank around the engine. Oil level is low, so will top that up before trying to start it.
It was probably on it side for around 7 hours as i slept last night. What sort of problems am i likely to come across when starting. Is it likely to smoke a lot while it burns the oil off the engine? Any other problems, maybe internally that i ought to look out for/check?
Just makes me angry. :smt092 :smt091
hindle8907
06-12-09, 12:52 PM
arhh sorry to hear this dude ...
I cant help you with any of your questions .
hope its ok though.
GeneticBubble
06-12-09, 01:00 PM
Hope the bike isn't to damaged mate, i would just give it a wipe over to be honest then start it :confused: but thats me, might be worth till someone who knows what there talking about gets here :-k
Just wiped all the oil off, and tried to start it. It turned over for about a second and now just makes a clicking/panting noise when i touch the starter button.
It would get worse.
ThEGr33k
06-12-09, 01:08 PM
That is probably just a battery issue. Charge it. Im not sure how a battery likes being on its side but I can guess now a great deal!
davepreston
06-12-09, 01:57 PM
sv's are notorius for being annoying to start after being on there side for what ever reason (of which you know im an expert) tbh it does just need to sit for a while to let all the fluids settle back down and the should start without problem, yes check fuel level and oil incase they have leeked out also coolant is an easy one to forget about
hth mate
Also make sure all the acid is still in the battery...:smt118
Should be OK, but worth checking.
(Assuming you don't have a replacement gel, or non-serviceable battery).
Spiderman
06-12-09, 02:45 PM
Ah man, sorry to hear this. Is the bike kept under a cover? Was it just sat on by a passing drunk perhaps who then tipped it over and ran off i wonder...or have you upset someone local to you in some way? Seems like an odd thing to do otherwise, as you say it'd be far easier to tip it over the other way.
Anyway, good luck getting its started mate.
Binky parking his bike on its side again? Twice in a week now! ;)
Sorry to hear about it though - hope nothing has been seriously damaged!
Ah man, sorry to hear this. Is the bike kept under a cover? Was it just sat on by a passing drunk perhaps who then tipped it over and ran off i wonder...or have you upset someone local to you in some way? Seems like an odd thing to do otherwise, as you say it'd be far easier to tip it over the other way.
Anyway, good luck getting its started mate.
It was under a cover yes. Not upset anyone, yet. :-k :rambo::rambo::rambo:
Guess just some drunk chavs pushed it. The side stand was still down when i got to it and the little nubbin' thing lifting it up further.
Just one more question, is it normal that oil leak out when on it's side. Should it not be sealed in somewhere? Where would it have come out from?
davepreston
06-12-09, 02:56 PM
i would have come out breather pipes mate so dont worry too much like i said just let it settle and all should be well
Mine got knocked over by some fool in a people carrier. It was on it's side for a minute at most. The only thing that leaked out of mine was coolant, so as DaveP says check that.
Sure it'll all be fine though. I also thought there was some sort of trip switch on them for if they did get knocked over. Perhaps a more knowledgeable member will be along soon.
Sorry to hear your bad luck mate, hope you get sorted soon.
Nick
punyXpress
06-12-09, 10:36 PM
How much oil will have leaked into the airbox?
If it's a lot/ it'll then go into the carbs which will slow starting up a bit.
? worth trying to get that oil out before further attempts at starting ?
You drew the short straw there, Binky.
When I came off, bike was upside down for ~45 minutes.
Oil leaked out to the airbox and later out of it via breather hoses.
Battery died and oil flooded the carbs, so it only ran on 1 cylinder and needed a drain/clean.
Dave20046
06-12-09, 10:48 PM
How much oil will have leaked into the airbox?
If it's a lot/ it'll then go into the carbs which will slow starting up a bit.
? worth trying to get that oil out before further attempts at starting ?
You drew the short straw there, Binky.
personally agree with this, if it's made a noticeable indent on the oil winow thats a fair amount of oil. might be worth just gettin the tank up, airbox iff give everything a wipe and spray with carb cleaner/petrol or something. Make sure your hoses are connected right and put it back together, then tend to the battery. Check there's still acid in it then charge it. You're 'not supposed to unseal the battery' now whether or not that's one of those things that I really, really should have listened to in the past I do no know ( check with someone clever) but a flathead screwy will get the plastic tab up and you want to make sure the plates are covered in liquid.
*do the above at your own risk :smt054
Sorry to hear it mate...sad state when you go to your bike and see it downed.
Out of curiosity, do you always leave your bike in gear when your park up? If so, du defo remember putting it in gear that time?
I learnt the hard way once. No incline, nothing. I just never used to leave my bike in gear when I park up. Always used to give the kickstand a good few wallopings to make sure it was all the way forward. Wont matter one bit tho...if its in neutral, and moves just a bit, ur in danger territory! Came back once to see my old beloved SV on its side, did the indicators and left fairing quite a bit of nasty damaage.
Never leave it in neutral anymore. In fact, I switch my bike off by applying the kickstand down with it in gear1. That way I never forget!!
Sid Squid
07-12-09, 01:10 AM
You don't say what bike you've got - this makes a difference.
barwel1992
07-12-09, 01:21 AM
mine started straight away after i came off it, but after that it wouldent start for a good 10min and stank of oil and smoked like mad also lost no oil or coolant at all even thogh the bike landed on the radiator
You don't say what bike you've got - this makes a difference.
It's a K2S Curvy.
When I came off, bike was upside down for ~45 minutes.
Oil leaked out to the airbox and later out of it via breather hoses.
Battery died and oil flooded the carbs, so it only ran on 1 cylinder and needed a drain/clean.
I have no idea where to start or how to drain or clean the carbs. I have an rough idea, but it won't get me very far.
Quite scarred i'll be without a bike for a while now. It's been on charge for a while now, just tried to start it and it still just clicks and turns over for a split second. Not getting anywhere yet. :(
I'm already thinking about turning into a project bike and taking it apart/selling the parts/learning about the mechanics more.
Where now? :smt022
xXBADGERXx
07-12-09, 01:26 AM
Check the carbs mate , they are probably flooded with all sorts right now
barwel1992
07-12-09, 01:29 AM
have you tried to bump start it ???
Surfjayce
07-12-09, 01:59 AM
if you are weary about any kind of mechanical work, reguardless of any other opinion, BUY a Haynes manual, in the past i have rebuilt the top end of a RGV250 and fixed and moded a friends ford focus, i have NO mechanical training and im not even all that savvy when it comes to engines but as long as you can follow instruction to the letter then you cant go wrong with these bibles for the stupid :D i swear by them and always will.
forum sugestions + factory bible (haynes manual) = pretty purring bike :smt054
man the er6 haynes manual dont come out til march 2010!
joshmac
07-12-09, 04:05 AM
Check the carbs mate , they are probably flooded with all sorts right now
Why would that prevent the starter motor from turning over? :confused: Surely that'd be the first problem to fix, no? Maybe I'm being an idiot
xXBADGERXx
07-12-09, 05:12 AM
Why would that prevent the starter motor from turning over? :confused: Surely that'd be the first problem to fix, no? Maybe I'm being an idiot
I had not seen the post where he had charged the battery as he had posted it around the same time I had done my post as well . He hasn`t actually stated that the starter motor has ceased to do anything from what I have seen . He says it tries to turn over for a split second , we don`t know if that is due to him letting go of the button as he`s being a bit delicate and worried about it all . If the carbs are not in good order then he won`t get the sytem fired up when he tries it on the button .From what I can gather is that it is having a good go at it but just not firing up ...... Binky , is it making a "GOP" kind of noise when it tries ? or just clicking ?
Why would that prevent the starter motor from turning over? :confused: Surely that'd be the first problem to fix, no? Maybe I'm being an idiot
I had a similar thing, battery was ok, never had a problem with it, but after the guys recovered the bike from the ditch it wouldn't turn over.
Perhaps the sv battery doesn't like the horizontal/usd position?
Took the starter motor off and it spun just fine, but the battery didn't have enough juice to spin the engine. A few hours on the charger solved the problem.
Can't tell you about cleaning the carbs, I had to ask for help.
petevtwin650
07-12-09, 08:41 AM
Bad news Binky :(
Guess you live off campus so no CCTV to find the culprit(s)
More than likely the battery has been knackered. I imagine it's a few years old, however there is a slight chance it could be hydraulic lock. Depends if the engine spins a few revolutions or just a fraction.
Even if it's not, I'd be inclined to take out both plugs and turn the engine over for a few mins. The battery should be able to manage that. That may be enough to clear the carbs, and you can clean the plugs up too. Technically you should ground out the spark plugs, so the coils don't overheat or something, but someone else can tell you about that as I've never done it.
Also take out and inspect the air filter, that could well be oil soaked too.
As for learning more maintenance things, your bike is a testament to leaving well alone until something needs fixing. It's done fantastically well and makes me wonder if we overdo the servicing side of things to the detriment of reliability.:-k
Now that's an ****!
I'm afraid I can't help with any of the technical stuff, but hope you get it sorted mate :salut:
Dave20046
07-12-09, 11:17 AM
It's a K2S Curvy.
I have no idea where to start or how to drain or clean the carbs. I have an rough idea, but it won't get me very far.
Quite scarred i'll be without a bike for a while now. It's been on charge for a while now, just tried to start it and it still just clicks and turns over for a split second. Not getting anywhere yet. :(
I'm already thinking about turning into a project bike and taking it apart/selling the parts/learning about the mechanics more.
Where now? :smt022
Anyone know if curvys have a tilt switch?
Possibility one of the other safety cutouts (clutch, sidestand?) have fouled?
Did you check the state of the battery?
Can you nick a battery from someone local or a jumpstarter unit thingy?
Not read all of this .... so ignore me if not required ...
But a friend of mine killed his bike after he rode it after it had fallen over .... he didn't check the fluids, and it turned out all the coolant had come out ... not long after 1 seised bike !!!
Check the fluids ;-)
Dave20046
07-12-09, 11:28 AM
Not read all of this .... so ignore me if not required ...
But a friend of mine killed his bike after he rode it after it had fallen over .... he didn't check the fluids, and it turned out all the coolant had come out ... not long after 1 seised bike !!!
Check the fluids ;-)
worth checking the fluids before getting it started & up and running, but it ain't even firing at the mo!
worth checking the fluids before getting it started & up and running, but it ain't even firing at the mo!
Might be worth:
- taking the starter motor off, check if it spins,
- charging the battery,
- taking the plugs out, put the bike in gear and turn the rear wheel (mine spat oil out).
Warthog
07-12-09, 12:06 PM
Sorry to hear this Binky. Mine got hauled over the left hand side once too, its impossible for wind to do it, it must be chavs. Landed on a car bumper and broke the rear plastics sadly, but it started no problem when upright. Good luck with it.
petevtwin650
07-12-09, 12:15 PM
Anyone know if curvys have a tilt switch?
Possibility one of the other safety cutouts (clutch, sidestand?) have fouled?
No tilt switch on a Curvy, Dave.
Dave20046
07-12-09, 12:35 PM
Cheers pete, infact out of interest (sorry binky) does the pointy have one, anyone?
xXBADGERXx
07-12-09, 12:37 PM
Cheers pete, infact out of interest (sorry binky) does the pointy have one, anyone?
Yes the Pointys most certainly do have a Tilt cutout Switch , the Curby doesn`t .
Badger: It's been charging for long enough, tried starting now, and it just seems to click, making a kind of quick 'kuk' sort of sound. So i presume this rules out the battery.
Leads to me to think that it's the starter motor. Or is there anything else that could cause this. :rolleyes:
Any other ideas of what to try next, starting with the most likely to the least likely / the easiest tom the hardest to do?
EDIT: Bad news Binky :(
Guess you live off campus so no CCTV to find the culprit(s)
There is a bit of CCTV so will ask relevant people if there was anything.
More than likely the battery has been knackered. I imagine it's a few years old, however there is a slight chance it could be hydraulic lock. Depends if the engine spins a few revolutions or just a fraction.
I hope there hasn't been any form of hydrolock. Expensive times if there is.
Even if it's not, I'd be inclined to take out both plugs and turn the engine over for a few mins. The battery should be able to manage that. That may be enough to clear the carbs, and you can clean the plugs up too. Technically you should ground out the spark plugs, so the coils don't overheat or something, but someone else can tell you about that as I've never done it.
Stupid question alert. If i take out the plugs, how will i be able to turn the engine over. Won't they need to be in for it to turn with the battery?
Also take out and inspect the air filter, that could well be oil soaked too.
Will do.
As for learning more maintenance things, your bike is a testament to leaving well alone until something needs fixing. It's done fantastically well and makes me wonder if we overdo the servicing side of things to the detriment of reliability.:-k
I just changed the oil/oil filter, check the air filter, clean/lube the chain, check/change spark plugs and make sure i use the bike often. :D. Valve clearences are done every 20,000 miles ish by a garage. Nothing more, nothing less.
You do have a Ducati though. Better to be safe than sorry ;)
Dave20046
07-12-09, 05:02 PM
Badger: It's been charging for long enough, tried starting now, and it just seems to click, making a kind of quick 'kuk' sort of sound. So i presume this rules out the battery.
Leads to me to think that it's the starter motor. Or is there anything else that could cause this. :rolleyes:
Any other ideas of what to try next, starting with the most likely to the least likely / the easiest tom the hardest to do?
Depends, if there's no acid left in your battery then I doubt it would start it.
I'd bypass the clutch/stand safety switches and give the starter motor a kick and try it with a mates battery in.
sunshine
07-12-09, 05:13 PM
try bump starting it, bump start - push bike out of gear jump on the bike knock it into second dump the clutch should always start. then you will know if its the starter motor or the coolant/oil in the little end.
plowsie
07-12-09, 05:24 PM
**** news mate, I have a new battery if you need one.
dizzyblonde
07-12-09, 05:53 PM
Whoever said they were notorious to start when they've been on their side is talking swalloks.
Give it time to be the right way up again, make sure all fluids and everything is ok as far as exposed wiring and cable stuff. Remember that all your petrol will have left the building as well, as far as the carbs are concerned. And bobs your uncle.
Been upside down squashed underneath one enough to find out the hard way. Takes a bit of patience and huffing to get her started....but she will!
Dave20046
07-12-09, 06:32 PM
At the moment it's clicking, when that's sorted and it gets onto 'chugging' then it's time to investigate the carbs.
Just got the air filter out. It's a little moist and there is a pool of liquid in the bottom of the airbox. Smells like petrol.
Will move onto the spark plugs when i find time.
Still 'kuk'ing when i try and start it. ;)
Dave20046
07-12-09, 08:31 PM
Just got the air filter out. It's a little moist and there is a pool of liquid in the bottom of the airbox. Smells like petrol.
Will move onto the spark plugs when i find time.
Still 'kuk'ing when i try and start it. ;)
binky does this 'kuk' noise (sorry can't imagine it) sound like the engine is turning over or even trying to turn over? Because imo oil in the carbs, airbox etc won't stop it from even trying, it'd only stop it firing/running.
binky does this 'kuk' noise (sorry can't imagine it) sound like the engine is turning over or even trying to turn over? Because imo oil in the carbs, airbox etc won't stop it from even trying, it'd only stop it firing/running.
No, it doesn't turn over. Kind of a split second click every time i touch the starter button... Nothing turns.
Dave20046
07-12-09, 08:35 PM
No, it doesn't turn over. Kind of a split second click every time i touch the starter button... Nothing turns.
Then, if it was me, I'd be looking at the battery and starter motor first. Once you got it trying to fire then you can clean up the carbs etc if required.:-k
Alpinestarhero
07-12-09, 08:42 PM
The click could be the starter relay, maybe the disturbance to the battery has ment it only has enough power to operate a solenoid but not crank the engine
Go with dave's suggestion and try another battery
barwel1992
07-12-09, 08:42 PM
sounds like the starter motor has gone, or the drive gear has jamed ?
on my MT the startrr clutch was sticking making a click noise after a verry cold night a oil change sorted this maybe somthing similar with ure bike ? not sure if the sv has a starter clutch ?
Alpinestarhero
07-12-09, 08:50 PM
sounds like the starter motor has gone, or the drive gear has jamed ?
on my MT the startrr clutch was sticking making a click noise after a verry cold night a oil change sorted this maybe somthing similar with ure bike ? not sure if the sv has a starter clutch ?
Something of a good point here, after my bike was on its side following my off (it was the sidestand side aswell) I had some issues which were cured after an oil change.
Barel, i think they do have some sort of clutch so the engine dosnt turn the starter motor when running
barwel1992
07-12-09, 09:01 PM
hmm i would at least try droping the oil first just incase its got contaminated when it was on its side and turned in to sludge or somthing this would cause the starter to come under stupid amount of resistance when trying to start the bike.
also (as i have already sead) bump start the bloody thing this way you will find out if the bike actuly runs and then you can norrow the starting problem down some what.
Could also be that during the fall an earth connection has come loose...this would cause the effect you are suffering.
dizzyblonde
07-12-09, 09:22 PM
Am I being daft, but if it was pushed over the sidestand....would the sidestand switch be a fault?
Stupid duurrr question:confused: but I am blonde!
barwel1992
07-12-09, 09:27 PM
well the startor would start the bike even with the side stand down ..... unless it is in gear but the the starter on my bike (pointy) dosent make a noise at all when its in gear and the side stand is down
dizzyblonde
07-12-09, 09:32 PM
Well I've had a clutch switch go, and all that did was clicky clicky, and no starter went then IIRC(but that was four years ago) bypassed that so it starts without the old clutch in.
Just thought the sidestand might do the same....cause as yet, I've never had that old chestnut go wrong...and now I jinxed it, it will. I've had everything else under the sun, so why not another!
#goes back to the blonde corner# :-)
barwel1992
07-12-09, 09:56 PM
lmao i will join you then (im naturaly blond) :D but maybe his clutch switch has gone ;)
punyXpress
07-12-09, 10:01 PM
Binky - are you hearing the last cuckoo of 2009 or an early 2010 bird?
As previously said, upside down bike = oil in airbox -> carbs -> cylinders giving the effect Petesv650 describes:
"there is a slight chance it could be hydraulic lock. Depends if the engine spins a few revolutions or just a fraction.
Even if it's not, I'd be inclined to take out both plugs and turn the engine over for a few mins. The battery should be able to manage that. That may be enough to clear the carbs, and you can clean the plugs up too. Technically you should ground out the spark plugs, so the coils don't overheat or something, but someone else can tell you about that as I've never done it."
Plugs out, press starter & if you hear that cuckoo you have more problems. If, however the engine spins, keep spinning it until most of the oil is spread about the parish. Oh & don't touch the plugs cos they'll make you jump!
= :-)
This is easier than it sounds.
Pull the plugs out, put the bike in gear and spin the rear wheel.
You can spin it with the starter motor, but you may end up with oil all over the walls (I had a fair bit of oil in the front cylinder).
As said, don't touch the spark plugs/leads. You can/should disconnect the coils before cranking the engine.
xXBADGERXx
07-12-09, 10:22 PM
Oh thanks for telling him about "Not Touching the Spark plugs" , I`ve been sat in the window all night waiting for a Big Blue flash over in his direction and the smell of burning Ginger eyebrows .
TheOnlyNemesis
07-12-09, 10:23 PM
as a semi expert of going sideways down the road on an sv, charge the battery, was the main reason mine wasn't starting after
punyXpress
07-12-09, 10:48 PM
No I can't do pics either:
= : - )
xXBADGERXx
07-12-09, 11:04 PM
`twas a good effort Puny , and I got the sentiment . I was waiting for a post along the lines of "BZZZZZZZZTTTTT!!! Berloody HELL why didn`t you lot tell me about the Plugs , I woke up 3 gardens away in a pool of my own Urine"
Dude, I'm on holiday from tomorrow until the 21st, if you've not sorted it by the time I'm back I'll bring the tools around early one morning and we'll strip everything right down and wack it back together again.
Sure we'll find the problem in a day.
Right, finally got round to taking both the spark plugs out. Turned the engine over and as predicted by some about a cup full of oil came out the front cylinder. I've cleaned the oil off the bike now.
Is it just a case of popping the plugs back in or is there anything else that needs doing?
xXBADGERXx
19-12-09, 06:53 PM
Put a peg on yer nose before you spark that puppy back up
Right, finally got round to taking both the spark plugs out. Turned the engine over and as predicted by some about a cup full of oil came out the front cylinder. I've cleaned the oil off the bike now.
Is it just a case of popping the plugs back in or is there anything else that needs doing?
Unless the plugs are very new it might be a good idea to replace them both, or at least, the front one.
Or, if you have a gas hob, clean the front one up over that.
Is it a bad idea to try and start it with only the rear plug in?
Is it a bad idea to try and start it with only the rear plug in?
TBH, not sure, although we've ridden ours for a fair few miles on one, thanks to the old 'wet plug' and carb icing issues. But if you do, you MUST securely earth the front plug or disconnect the power to the coil.
N8te rider
19-12-09, 07:32 PM
sorry to hear about your bike mate. It's not nice seeing your baby on it's side, and bleeding :-( not sure about your questions, sorry
punyXpress
19-12-09, 07:56 PM
If you start it up on the rear pot, expect more oil flying. Don't clean it any more ( except tyres & brakes ) though 'cos you've just rustproofed the front of your bike!
Right, finally got round to taking both the spark plugs out. Turned the engine over and as predicted by some about a cup full of oil came out the front cylinder. I've cleaned the oil off the bike now.
Is it just a case of popping the plugs back in or is there anything else that needs doing?
Hmm.. I'd spin the engine via the rear wheel a few more times, just to be sure.
Put the plugs back in and start it.
However, as you say, you've had some oil in the front cylinder (like I had), it's possible, your carbs will be flooded with oil.
Start it up, and you'll see if it's running on both/one (or none) cylinders.
Got back from Nottingham on it yesterday afternoon.
Smoked like hell when first started and only ran on one cylinder. But then the smoking subsided and the occasional burst of both cylinders lead to the engine running fine after that. Still doesn't feel 100% but that might be in my mind.
Anyway, cheers for all the advice folks. Much appreciated. :thumbsup:
fastdruid
23-12-09, 05:20 PM
Could just be the weather ATM making it feel like it wasn't running right.
Druid
sv650s k6 tom
28-12-09, 11:22 PM
i think im one of the lucky ones with this, well i say lucky, i returned to my bike to find my left *as you sit on it* side indicator black area smashed and some scratches on lower fairing. took a guess that someone had tried to back a bike into the bay in BIRMINGHAM CITY CENTRE *not parked there since* nudged my back tyre with theirs and its just rolled it forward off the stand and dropped, but the person who did it picked my bike up and back on stand and im guessin just left. no notes or anything on the bike when i returned, just a pain in the **** really. but hope your bike gets sorted mate
larigos
29-12-09, 12:32 AM
i think im one of the lucky ones with this, well i say lucky, i returned to my bike to find my left *as you sit on it* side indicator black area smashed and some scratches on lower fairing. took a guess that someone had tried to back a bike into the bay in BIRMINGHAM CITY CENTRE *not parked there since* nudged my back tyre with theirs and its just rolled it forward off the stand and dropped, but the person who did it picked my bike up and back on stand and im guessin just left. no notes or anything on the bike when i returned, just a pain in the **** really. but hope your bike gets sorted mate
Which parking bay? Have you spoke with police as many of the bike parking areas bays are covered by the street CCTV system.
sv650s k6 tom
29-12-09, 12:42 AM
the one by Subway, near new street station, i spoke to police, they said that as they are council operated CCTV in the area i would have to get permission from the council, i speak to council and they say they can only give it out to the police. i figured for the cost of some decent stickers and £35 for new indicator its not worth the hassle. i wouldnt be as annoyed with it all if there was just a little note with a number on saying "sorry mate, heres my number, give me a call and we can sort something out"
larigos
29-12-09, 01:01 AM
Could remind them of data protection act - anything they hold on you they have to hand over for a nominal £10 fee. That includes video tape - CCTV footage etc. As you say though is it worth the hassle, personally I would do it and charge person for time etc.
sv650s k6 tom
29-12-09, 01:11 AM
i wasnt there at the time tho, so couldnt they get around it that way?
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