Tickover very variable
 

I have just bought a lovely 1999 Black SV650S, its everything that I dreamed it could be and more. One problem I have though is the tickover sometimes rises to 3000 or more when warmed up, not too good in town at slow speeds or on approach to tight corners. It pops a bit too. Any ideas? Otherwise it stops and goes lovely.

Check for airleaks in the manifolds.

It could also indicate a vacuum leak- though they tend to be more constant.

I had similar problem recently sometimes it would tickover 1500 other times 3000 or so. Traced it to the throttle sticking now and again. I had to take the tank up, then remove the air filter and lubricate all the moving parts of the trottle under there. I was suprised how many moving parts there were to get sticky. Put some oil down the cable while I was at it. I am told it is a quite common problem on them especially if they have been sitting for a while. I found it made a huge difference to the response.

Many thanks, tried to adjust the tickover knob today and it is siezed, hope WD40 can free it. I'm on holiday now for 2 weeks and it will be hard to resist going for a ride each day, did 130miles today, SVs are brilliant bikes. :twisted: