Trouble starting - is this a "stock fault"?

[thornton_chris]

Hi all,

I've had my 01 curvy SV650 for a few years now and I use it most days to get to work. Usually it runs fine except for when I get really wet and then it starts missing on one cylinder. I can put up with this.
However if I leave the bike for any more than a couple of days then it is a real pain to start.
The following happens.....
Turn bike over and if it fires up quickly then it is good to go.
However if it doesn't fire up quickly then after it has been turned over a few times by the batery the battery dies and needs charging.
I charge the battery for 20mins and it will start perfectly.
This is really annoying because every Monday morning I can guarantee it won't work because I don't use the bike at the weekend.
Nothing is draining the battery - lights are off, heated grips are off. It just seems like the battery isn't strong enough (if that makes sense). The battery is only 2 years old. My last car battery lasted my 6 years! Am I asking too much of the battery? If so where can I get a cheap one?
As for the missing cylinder, are there any quick fixes? I changed the spark plugs and sprayed WD40 everywhere but it doesn't seem to make any difference.
Beginning to thing that I should have kept my trusty 1.2, fuel injected, 8valve, Fiat Punto with its cloth upholstry and 80bhp :wink: !

Out.
Chrishttp://upload4.postimage.org/1956877/100_1523.jpg (http://upload4.postimage.org/1956877/photo_hosting.html)

[Luckypants]

The front cylinder cutting out in the wet is well known issue, when it is wet the front wheel sprays water onto the spark plug. Fitting a Fenda-exteda will stop this. Also make sure the little drain hole near the spark plug is clear to allow water to drain away. Do a search and you will find loads of info on this 'feature'!

Duff starting is not connected to the above.

[Viney]

A couple of things.

Look at getting a trickle charger.
Look at getting a new battery.

Each battery is different. One may last years, another not nearly as long.

Do you ride the bike Every day? Is the bike well maintained?

My bike has been a bit troublesome starting over the past ocuple of days, but i put it down to being damp.

As for the front cylinder problem, get yourself a Fender Extender. Job done

[thornton_chris]

Thats great guys, really helpfull.
Where can I get a fender extender from?

[Luckypants]

Nothing is draining the battery - lights are off, heated grips are off. It just seems like the battery isn't strong enough (if that makes sense).Have you actually checked that nothing is draining the battery, using a meter? You might have a short that is causing the battery to drain.
Have you checked that the charging circuit on the bike is working 100% and so charging the battery while riding?
Do you ride the bike short distances with lights on? This might not give the battery time to recover from each start.

[thornton_chris]

I always ride with my lights on. Journey to work is 10miles which takes about 15mins.
I haven't checked to see if there is any load on the battery.
Is 15mins enough to charge the batt?

[Biker Biggles]

Optimate charger keeps your battery in top condition.Worth checking the bike's charging system too,but you need a multitester for that.As well as the fender extender,a bit of waterproof silicone grease over the front plug hole bung keeps any water out.

[hovis]

i would not get a "cheap battery" buy cheap.................buy twice :oops:

[Mr Toad]

As the others have said, get a fender extender and an optimate. Mine came with a small length of cable which fits onto the battery terminals, and the connector slightly protrudes below one of the side panels, so it's dead simple to use - no taking the seat off or anything - just plug it in if I'm not going to be using the bike for any length of time.

It sounds like you battery has pretty much gone - bike batteries are quite small and don't last forever. Although they appear to be holding a charge (eg headlights bright) they're pretty useless at providing enough power to turn a starter motor for more than a few seconds. The cold weather really knackers 'old' batteries. Assuming that there is no problem with charging the battery (ie alternator), I'd be strongly tempted to get a new one, before it does some damage to the starter motor

cheers

[thornton_chris]

Thats great info, thanks.
I've just looked on the M&P website for a battery and they start at £35.99! what a ripp off. :evil:

[Baph]

Usually it runs fine except for when I get really wet and then it starts missing on one cylinder. I can put up with this.
Please please PLEASE don't. Imagine the scenario, your steadily pootling along, minding your own business, minus the front cylinder, it's cold out, possibly ice on the floor. All of a sudden, mid corner whilst you're holding a steady throttle, the front cylinder kicks in & there's a massive serge of power. :shock:

About the battery, as above, this could be a number of issues, and until you're certain, it's not really wise to buy a new battery. For example, if the Reg/Rect isn't charging properly (due to a fault itself, or a dodgy connection), a new battery would be money down the drain.

[Luckypants]

Is 15mins enough to charge the batt?Probably not long term. Cold weather = hard work for battery when starting. Check the charging cicuit like already suggested, if OK then get an optimate and plug it in over the weekends, topping up the battery to full charge. Optimate are great, as they condition your battery and also tell you when it is nadgered.

[suzsv650]

ahh u need a stronger bat get this 1 that i got its goo it spins the starter motor faster and i aint had a problem with it so far titl even start with the lights on (i got up rated lights) which was never posible on my origanal bat

check it out

http://forums.sv650.org/viewtopic.php?t=47475&highlight=batterys


oh and to check the bat is charging right get the bike started up n wack a multimetter on it it sould b reading over 12Vs i think from memory

[Viney]

i would not get a "cheap battery" buy cheap.................buy twice :oops:Not so. I have had cheap betteries outlast Expensive branded batteries both on car and bike.

[Viney]

Thats great info, thanks.
I've just looked on the M&P website for a battery and they start at £35.99! what a ripp off. :evil:

Thats about right. Do a google search for bike batteries. Mike1234 gave me a link once, but i dont have it anymore.

I got one of a mate 'trade' and that was still £25.

[Stig]

There is also the possibility of condensation in the carbs. Especially when you are only running it for 15 minutes. This would mean that just as the bike is getting warm, you are switching it off again. Ideal recipe for condensation. Also there is a possibility that condensation has developed in the fuel tank.

Water is heavier than petrol, with the bike on it's side stand over the weekend, all the condensation (water) will have time to find it's way to the fuel outlet on the left hand side of the tank. The 1st thing that you do on a Monday morning is turn the engine over and let the water that has collected go straight to the carbs. This along with a weak battery, short miles riding would be a perfect recipe for a troublesome starting bike in weather like this.

There are several ways to avoid this. Ride your bike during the weekend. :wink: Keep the fuel tank topped up on a Friday before putting it away for the weekend.

It is possible that continued riding will force the collected water through the jets and sort of self clean itself. However, there is also the possibility that a complete drain and flush could be required. Tank and carbs. I have just had to do this myself. Should only take a hour or so.

Of course there is always the option that I am completely wrong and taking balls as usual.

[netsurfer]

Thats great info, thanks.
I've just looked on the M&P website for a battery and they start at £35.99! what a ripp off. :evil:

The SV battery is more expensive than some other bike batteries of the same capacity due to the fact it is a sealed gel type. It needs to be of this type due to the fact it dosen't sit level.

Pete

[Warren]

wicked, a thread already on the subject of what i was gonna ask.

heres the situation.

my bike (CBR600) has had its battery in it since new nearly 6 years ago.
all has been fine with it, sunday i started it in the morning, rode about 2 miles to a petrol garage, filled up with petrol, tried to start the bike, and the battery died, a gave it a few mins and a good shake and pressed the button, it just about started,
then rode 60 miles and plugged the battery into a trickle charger,
the charger told me that it was fully charged,

disconnected the charger, started the bike fine, killed it again and reconnected the charger, took a few mins then came back and told me it was fully charged.

rode the bike home 60 miles no problem.
any idea's on why the battery died at the garage ? surely if it was going to die, it would have died when i tried to start it first thing in the morning ? and the 2 mile ride would have given it enough charge to start at the garage.


im not sure if it has anything to do with it, but a few weeks ago i fitted an inforad gps speed camera detector to my bike, which is turned on when the ignition is turned on as it is wired through the rear brake light switch. so am i correct in thinking when the ignition is off, there is no way for the GPS to draw power from the battery ?

does any of this sound normal ? or not ?

im gonna get my multi meter and check to see if the battery is ok,
can someone give me an idiots guide how to test the charging ciruit and stuff ?

before i splash out on a new battery.


ive disconnected the GPS thing by the way today, so see if that helps things.

cheers
Warren

[Tuco]

Due to unfortunate circumstances, it's often a month between rides for me on my SV which often results in the battery being dead when wanting to go for a ride.
This happenned a few days ago, so I charged the battery overnight (real trickle charger thing so no danger of overcharging). I then tried starting it in the morning but only suceeded in draining the battery in 2 minutes of trying to charge the battery. I assumed I'd have to buy a new battery at this point so in an act of desperation I cleaned the battery connections with emery paper and put a smear of vasoline on them.
When the battery came off charge it turned over without any issues (started second time).

So try sanding down the connectors down to the bare copper and put a smear of vasoline on them before forking out on a new battery.

[kwak zzr]

Thats great info, thanks.
I've just looked on the M&P website for a battery and they start at £35.99! what a ripp off. :evil:

well worth 35.99 i paid 40.00 for mine :wink: