Strange rattling
 

Occasionally I get a rattling noise when the engine is idling. It's not loud, but noticeable. Actually it's happened twice, but not subsequently. My first thought was cam chain, but after only 11k miles, I thought it was a bit premature, and the engine hasn't ever been thrashed either. It stopped for a while, but reoccured recently and promptly disappeared again. Any thoughts?

Drive chain tension? Is it set correctly.

Check if it's related to the clutch being pulled in or not. I'm not sure if the SV has an automatic Cam chain tensioner as I have owned bikes with automatic, and manual tensioners, so might be worth a check, Anyone?

The SV has an automatic tensioner. I will check though next time it occurs.

It could be a rattly clutch... Does it do it all the time, or just in neutral? If it just does it in neutral, does it still do it with the clutch in?

I reckon it's cam chains though. The tensioners, particularily the front ones, can go a bit wobbly. 11,000 miles isn't very many but it'll be a few years old too. Unless it's serious, don';t worry too much- if it's constant and loud then it's not a good sign and worth fixing, but a bit of rattle's just one of those things.

Re: Strange rattling
 

SVcam chains rattle, 11k is not premature, design of the automatic tensioner allows it to get quite loose before slack is taken up, the noise comes and goes as the tensioner adjusts

The trouble with that theory is that I put manual adjusters on mine and these made no difference at all to the camchain rattle. I could actually tighten them and stall the engine so I decided the rattles are normal and there is nothing wrong with the standard tensioners.
My rattles are totally clutch related