'99 SV650 SX Running problems

The plug on the right, if from the front cylinder, has a rusty body which is usually a good indication that the plug well has been full of crud. That will short the plug out, and it is blackish because that cylinder hasn't been firing properly. It does not look excessively rich but really, it is pretty hard to tell from just a photo. Certainly check the choke plunger BUT: check the drain hole in the head is clear, fit a fender extender if it hasn't already got one, clean the plug cap thoroughly - REALLY thoroughly - apply silicone grease everywhere, and refit. The left hand plug has been firing OK - has quite nice colour, although the shell looks a bit nasty, and that has probably come from having been stood for some time. New plugs certainly would not have hurt, but if you don't ensure the caps are properly clean, it can all happen again!

Woo Hoo!

Got the bike running today! I drained the carbs, put more fresh fuel in and gave the choke plungers a bit of a fiddle, and after about 3 gos it fired up!

It was a bit rough at to begin with, but idleing became smoother. Although when I was giving it throttle it was cutting out, so tried the old trick of putting a hand over the carb to create a vacuum which sucked out the remaining crud in the jets, and has been running fine since!

Not sure how it happened in the first place, but at least I will know what to do if it happens again.

I also put on the new beoulf can on today, and the bike now sounds like a proper bike, and not a lawnmover!

thanks for all your help, much appreciated!