Curvy won't idle reliably, cuts out.

[phatwheels]

RAC saved the day, temporarily.
This happened once before but the bike recovered and i never thought owt else of it. what do you think? this is whats happening...

When pulling up at lights the bike dropped to 1k rpm and then continues to drop and cut out unless i catch it with some revs. - even if i do catch it with revs and hold it, when i set off the bike seems to choke and cuts out.

first time this happened i couldn't get it started at all, waited 10-15 mins, and wheeled it to the local bike shop where it magically started and acted like normal, they were just as baffled as me. - took it back to where i bought it and questioned the strange behaviour which i was told was down to "moisture in the engine, and once its gone it runs normally". this i took with a pinch of salt, but still it didnt happen again until now. about 2 weeks after the first incident.

wouldnt start at all again, sick n pee'd off i called out RAC - opened the bike up and found that when disconnecting the wire from the rear cyl. spark plug there is no drop in engine idle speed - he believes this cyl. is faulty in one way or another, and that it also appeared no fuel was getting to it, he blasted the jets, and the bike ran ok for 2 or 3 mins but still getting alot of mis-firing/popping. anyway it was enough to get me home.

can anyone confirm or otherwise add to this so i can explain myself clearly to the garage in the morning please?

The bike is still under warranty so i want this **** fixing up properly.

[DJ123]

what bike and year is it?

[phatwheels]

sorry, was just about to edit my post adding that!

1999 SV650S

[xXBADGERXx]

I had exactly the same thing on a K3 SV ......... went and checked all sorts , bought new plugs for it and it was fine . The tips of the plugs were fine but the cores themselves were not probably functioning . New set and bango .... all was well

[phatwheels]

so new plugs are the answer. amazing, thanks! it'll stop all the popping misfiring too?

My Service book recons it had some iridium plugs in only 1000 miles ago, is that normal life for sparks plugs?!

[xXBADGERXx]

http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=128642

Have a mooch in there and see if it sounds familiar

It might NOT be the answer , but a bit of detective work will narrow it down

[phatwheels]

Cheers Badger, much appreciated - i'll get reading!

[Dave20046]

so new plugs are the answer. amazing, thanks! it'll stop all the popping misfiring too?

My Service book recons it had some iridium plugs in only 1000 miles ago, is that normal life for sparks plugs?!

To be fair I'd change the plugs straight away if it's an option, plugs will last 3000-6000 and beyond and there's no need for iridiums in the SV. You can always keep the old ones as spares/to put in next service if you rule them out.

I had a similar sounding problem with my curvy, when the choke plungers were seized. The issue raised it's head when the bike was warm, but I think you'd notice it a bit more consistantly if they were properly seized.

If you're changing the plugs I'd check the plungers and possibly clean the carbs as a matter of course while you're down there if it's an option.

Then again I'm just speculating based on experience, I'm no mechanic - you might want to wait for someone else to come along especially if the bike's your only form of transport.

The cylinder being 'faulty' sounds like flashing amber light man bull****, but could be wrong.

Where'd you buy it from out of interest?

[Sid Squid]

When it idles correctly and doesn't die, at what speed does it run?

When it won't restart what technique are you using?

[phatwheels]

Thanks Dave - Bought from SMC mid April, yeh only transport for me. will drop off at SMC tomorrow.

Sid - when it idles ok its 1400rpm there abouts. When it dies and wont restart, i try with a little throttle and sometimes get nothing at all, other times it just turns over but never fires up, and if im lucky it'll fire reach 1000rpm then cut out if i don't catch it, but catch it n rev it n its sounds horrible.

[Sid Squid]

From what you say I'm not initially thinking ignition, I suspect whoever gets the carbs off will find crud and goo aplenty - and a sticky choke.

But I shan't cogitate any longer as if the shop is taking it back it doesn't much matter what we think, (well, unless they can't fix it - but that's not very likely).

[phatwheels]

Thanks Sid, yeh we'll see what the shops feeds back regarding the problem.
I just wanted some opinions from here based on other peoples experiences, so i can compare with what bike shop comes back with.

Fingers crossed I make it to the bike shop in the morning!
Thanks everyone.

[Dave20046]

If you're paying for it I'd be tempted to take it to manhattans, their chaps are good and I understand prices more reasonable than SMC. Recently used them (tend to do stuff myself) and they took genuine interest in what they were doing and showed a bit of engineering flourish which is always nice...and did a bit extra as part and parcel.

[Dave20046]

From what you say I'm not initially thinking ignition, I suspect whoever gets the carbs off will find crud and goo aplenty - and a sticky choke.

But I shan't cogitate any longer as if the shop is taking it back it doesn't much matter what we think, (well, unless they can't fix it - but that's not very likely).

Stripping your carbs really isn't hard if you have the tools and space. (screw drivers, a nice long posidrive, ratchet set,maybe allen keys some carb cleaner and lubricants)

[phatwheels]

you know what, i nearly typed that - i've been gettin the impression SMC are too busy to take a real interest. and yeah, the last time it happened it was at heeley and it was Manhattan that i wheeled it down to and they seem pretty cool, however with it still been under warranty with SMC im gonna get the most out of my 3 months.

If SMC fail to solve this, i may call on you Dave if you'd be so kind, to help me out please with stripping the carbs?

[yorkie_chris]

If it is in warranty get them to sort it. Shouldn't be selling second hand bikes with gunked up carbs...

Stripping your carbs really isn't hard if you have the tools and space. (screw drivers, a nice long posidrive, ratchet set,maybe allen keys some carb cleaner and lubricants)

Phillips not posi

[phatwheels]

alright boys and girls, update time:

got the bike back. but can't help feeling im been taken for a ride here...
they say its nothing to do with engine, engine is running fine. and that its the kickstand thats causing the engine to cut out, so i took my keys and went for a looksy at the kickstand, its solid, no wobbling or bouncing at all. can't help feelin like they're just tryin to kill time 'til my warranty runs out, but im no expert and dont know what sounds i should be looking out for so here's a vid for you all to take a listen to, see if you can't help me out by having a listen, one thing i can here is a ticking from the exhaust, this isnt normal right?... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoFNGPItpng

I just want to be able to go in there knowin what im on about, cos i fee like they're feedin me ****

[Bibio]

engine sounds fine. the ticking is the baffle rattling.

sidestand cut out safety switch could well be on it's way out. get them to put a new one on under warranty if not they are only a few £ on ebay or if you ask nicely someone on her might have a spare.

[phatwheels]

yeah they're gonna fit me a new switch under warranty.
Maaaan i'm just confused- majority of ppl that see the bike mention that it sounds like its runnin on one cyl.

screw the noises, i'll just be happy i've got something to ride.

[Bibio]

don't believe then take the baffle out :-)

yes it will cut in and out if the switch is duff which will sound like its running on one as its momentarily cutting the power then starting again.