SV650 front cylinder failure

[chewy22]

SV650 front cylinder failure


Just had a look at my neighbours 1999 sv650 said he was having problems with the front cylinder cutting out mostly it was caused by water been thrown at it from the front wheel. When he came to remove the spark plug he found it had corroded in place costing him a lot of cash to get the dealer to fix it. He has now fitted a piece of stainless plate from the bottom of the radiator to the top of the cylinder head. Doesn’t look to bad but I bet it could be improved. I cant put a photo on here to show you.
I will need someone to host it for me.

The question is do others suffer this problem and how did you solve it?

Also if I made something like the stainless plate would you want one?

[falc]

1990 model eh? :D

This is a common fault and the popular fix is to fit a fender extender to the bottom of the front mudflap. This works very well and stops all the water and crap flying up to the top cylinder head. They cost maybe 15quid off ebay.

Also if you cover the spark plug with some kind of sealent around it that will help any water that does get near it.

Generally the fender extender works pretty damn well, since fixing it ive never had a complaint from the front cylinder.

[Richie]

1990 model eh? :D

This is a common fault and the popular fix is to fit a fender extender to the bottom of the front mudflap. This works very well and stops all the water and crap flying up to the top cylinder head. They cost maybe 15quid off ebay.

Also if you cover the spark plug with some kind of sealent around it that will help any water that does get near it.

Generally the fender extender works pretty damn well, since fixing it ive never had a complaint from the front cylinder.

Dito...

[embee]

yep, fender extenda does 99% of the job.

I also add a little red rubber grease round the plug cap to ward off any water, and just to add belt, braces and string, I made a shield

http://www.thebikereview.com/iup/get8.asp?ID=1116

It's aluminium and fixes on the two lower fan mounts up behind the rad. Don't know how effective it is, but I've had no problems with all 3 things!

[lynw]

1990 model eh? :D

This is a common fault and the popular fix is to fit a fender extender to the bottom of the front mudflap. This works very well and stops all the water and crap flying up to the top cylinder head. They cost maybe 15quid off ebay.

Also if you cover the spark plug with some kind of sealent around it that will help any water that does get near it.

Generally the fender extender works pretty damn well, since fixing it ive never had a complaint from the front cylinder.

is it really only me that has an old curvy and has absolutely no problems in severely bad rain and flooded roads?? :? :D Not that Im complaining in the least. :D

[Quiff Wichard]

ihad awful mis fires in the rain-
fender extender

no probs since- !! in any weather

[haggis]

Nah, no leccy problems for me. And I've been out in seriously heavy downpours round here.

However having had a squint up at the front head I'm gonna do something about it soon. It's covered in tarspots and grit. The front carb looks to be covered aswell. :cry:

[BURNER]

I've been doing some reading on the subject and there seems to be a front spark plug DRAIN hole on the RHS of the cylinder. Mione was blocked with gunk until I cleaned it out with some soft flexible wire.
Keep the drain hole clean and fit a fender extender should sort the problems out. Copper grease on the spark plug threads wouldn't hurt either.

[elmerfud]

1990 model eh? :D

This is a common fault and the popular fix is to fit a fender extender to the bottom of the front mudflap. This works very well and stops all the water and crap flying up to the top cylinder head. They cost maybe 15quid off ebay.

Also if you cover the spark plug with some kind of sealent around it that will help any water that does get near it.

Generally the fender extender works pretty damn well, since fixing it ive never had a complaint from the front cylinder.

is it really only me that has an old curvy and has absolutely no problems in severely bad rain and flooded roads?? :? :D Not that Im complaining in the least. :D

never had any probs with my curvy or pointies - and yes I do ride in rain!

[wheelnut]

I haven't had any problems riding in the wet either except when my immobiliser / alarm was soaked at Donington this year.

I have noticed though that the front plug is very rusty when i change them, but never had a problem removing it. I think a bit of vaseline around the cap may be wise next time!

Otherwise no problems

[German bird]

Hiya Chewy,
I had the same probelms as your neighbour and ride a SV650 - SK1. Had problems getting home last week after getting soaked. I just had a bit of checker plate fitted, pretty much as you described it, but have not tried it out yet. Do you know if is works for on your neighbours bike?
I think it would be a good idea!
Cheers Heike

[chewy22]

Hiya Chewy,
Do you know if is works for on your neighbours bike?
I think it would be a good idea!
Cheers Heike

Yes, he seems happy now it looks a bit Heath Robinson but works.

[PeterM]

Had a bit of a chat with a bloke who used to spanner on a SV that was raced. They found that the problem was that the insulation on the plug was inadequate. It would arc out onto any water that found it's way into the plug recess.

There are several ways to go about fixing the problem such as a fender extender or the plate that has been mentioned here. Others are to replace the lead with a different type, improve the insulation properties of teh std one or the use of grease/vaseline/silicone to stop water getting in the recess in the 1st place. Just be mindful that there are 5 small ventilation holes in the rubber washer that seals the plug recess. Don't cover them all up and put them at the top (they are only on one 1/2 of the washer). Finally, keep you drain hole clear.

[Lugg]

Funny you should mention it but I one very angry bunny :smt096 having bought a brand new sv650sk5 end of March this year, the last thing I would have expected was to come to a stuttering shakey halt on the m180 2 days ago! I had been riding all day more or less and the rain started lashing down about 1 hour beforehand when I had stopped for a cuppa.

It was extremely frightening :shock: because I felt the power go suddenly as I was in the fast lane of the motorway (approaching a roundabout) and just managed to get to the hard shoulder before the bike conked out. Highways guys kindly helped me out by stopping the traffic so I could get to the services. It got dark very quickly.

I immediately suspected that the spark plug was getting a good soaking as a few of my friends own older versions of this otherwise superb little bike and they won't ride in the rain any longer because it makes them nervous about possibly getting stranded. I (perhaps stupidly) made the decision back in February to buy a spanking new bike so I could have that added reassurance that nothing will go wrong for a while! Who would have thought that a 7 month old bike would go phuutttt so quickly!

The recovery only took 3 hours to get a truck to me and the driver didn't know how to secure a motorbike properly. I'll be hopping mad if my front end is bent; it felt like it was leaning to one side as I pushed it up my driveway at 9pm in my soaking wet clothes! What a pants day!

Has anyone else with a newish sv had the same problem? In 2003 a little rubber flap was strategically place behind the front wheel to prevent this problem. It obviously doesn't work! :evil:

[Stu]

I have fitted an extenda, so no thanks chewy I don't want anything. But when I went to Halfords to get some grease (which they didn't have) the guy said take it back to get it fixed under warranty.

Why has nobody done this? - or at least I've never heard anyone get a successful fix under warranty.

[northwind]

It's been tried, didn't work, not sure why. It takes £3 and 15 minutes to completely fix it using silicon grease so nobody takes it any further, not worth the hassle.

[thor]

"They all do that sir"

[Baph]

I had a nice lengthy chat with the dealership I bought the bike from, after having bought the fender extender.

He acknoledged that it's a known problem and when I jokingly suggested that he get the extender fitted under warranty as a preventative measure, he asked when I'd like to bring it in, since it's only a 10minute job to fit the thing.

Result! Yes I bought the fender extender, but free fitting from the dealership.

Always worth being cheeky!

[MavUK]

Had the problem for the first time in two years last month. I think it was caused by the drain hole being bunged... Not even the worst weather I've ridden in. Now got a fenda extenda. Not used it in anger yet (and hope not to for some time) so I have no idea how much use it's going to be :)

[Viney]

I had a nice lengthy chat with the dealership I bought the bike from, after having bought the fender extender.

He acknoledged that it's a known problem and when I jokingly suggested that he get the extender fitted under warranty as a preventative measure, he asked when I'd like to bring it in, since it's only a 10minute job to fit the thing.

Result! Yes I bought the fender extender, but free fitting from the dealership.

Always worth being cheeky!You think you got a good deal??? Your easy to please.

Mine was fine for the 1st 29000 miles, then it played up. Fitted extender, job done. however,t here are some tarts on here that dont like the look of the extender, and the shiney plate may be for them ;)

[Well Oiled]

I've got a fender extender on mine. ridden in all weather including many rides in driving rain. The old boy has never missed a beat yet (the bike, not me).