Starting query on curvey

Hi all,

I havent used the bike for 10 days and went to start it this morning, it caught first time no problems but then promptly stalled as I let off the revs. (I normally start it with a bit of throttle). It then turned over for a good 15 seconds before I could get it started again.

I dont think it battery problems as it turned over happily, its just it wouldnt catch. Most mornings it catches first time, stalls then starts second time no probs (I'm assuming it shouldnt do this either?) Choke lever/cable is operating freely and seems to be working as it should be apart from this.

Nothing wrong at all, just needed the cobwebs out of it. Pretty typically especially in colder weather.

If it's constantly stalling, probably need new plugs or check the idle, fueling etc, basic maintenance checks, e.g. the maintenance intervals in the manual.

[embee]

I usually find the best way is to use choke alone, don't touch the throttle.

Full choke from cold to start it, back off the choke as much as you can while keeping the revs "happy", then once it has settled down and is running smoothly set off gently and back the choke right off as soon as you can.

It's better not to leave it idling to warm up, just 30sec or so until it's happy to be ridden.

Other bikes I've had have thrown wobblies if you touch the throttle with the choke on. They will simply refuse to start afterwards.

Don't repeatedly blip the throttle from cold, it's a good way of provoking plug fouling. If you want to hold the engine speed up a bit just hold it steady.

Originally Posted by embee

I usually find the best way is to use choke alone, don't touch the throttle.

Full choke from cold to start it, back off the choke as much as you can while keeping the revs "happy", then once it has settled down and is running smoothly set off gently and back the choke right off as soon as you can.

It's better not to leave it idling to warm up, just 30sec or so until it's happy to be ridden.

Other bikes I've had have thrown wobblies if you touch the throttle with the choke on. They will simply refuse to start afterwards.

Don't repeatedly blip the throttle from cold.

I'd agree with that, full choke to begin with (don't even touch the throttle) and then slowly back it down in steps to keep the rev's good. Not to high and not to low. By the end you should have the SV ticking over nicely with no choke for a few moments before riding off.

This is what I do every time with never any problems;

1. Full choke, start her up
2. Put helmet on my head
3. Back the choke off a bit
4. Do up helmet
5. Back the choke off a bit more
6. Gloves on
7. Turn off choke
8. Give the SV a moment to settle
9. Small blip of the throttle (not to much revs) to see shes settled

I always let the SV warm up a bit before going off, but thats a personal opinion. Some just jump on and go.

It wont catch if I dont give it a bit of throttle to get it going. I just give it a quick twist to get her caught then it's fine on the choke. Any ideas about why it wont catch without some throttle? I usually start her, put gloves on then go and ride gently for the first few miles.

Choke cable may need looking at, sounds like its not engaging. If you are a compontent mechanic/fiddler have a look around the carbs, someone else not long ago had problems with there chock (see links below). If you do not feel confident yourself explain it all to a mechanic at a garage before handing over the keys.

http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=101122

http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=101304

[yorkie_chris]

IME the carbs being out of balance can be why it needs a tweak of throttle before it will fire

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

IME the carbs being out of balance can be why it needs a tweak of throttle before it will fire

I think you may have hit the nail on the head there Chris. I hadnt thought of that and I havent balanced the carbs for well over a year. Guess whats on my christmas list now

[yorkie_chris]

Get carbtunes, I've a set and think they're great