SVs in the rain.

[Taipan]

Hi All

Rode home in the rain last night and my bike didn't appear to like it! I think water may have got onthe front HT lead and caused a bit of a short as it got a tad lumpy. But also despite half atank of juice the fuel light came on solidly for a moment?

This morning, it appears the battery has died? Lots of relay clicking and little else? I've had some running isues with the bike lately but never had a problem turning the engine over? Seems a bit of a coincidence getting caught in the rain and all.

Anyone else had any problems like this after being caught in the rain?

Thanks

The rain probably wasn't so much the HT lead getting wet, as water getting into the plug socket. Common fault on SV's (prior to K6's at least).

Other than that, I'd say you have an electrical gremlin. Everyone knows gremlins should be kept dry at all times.

I'd suspect a dodgy earthing somewhere to be honest.

Hmmm, I'm not nearly as electrically minded as many others on the forum, but I use my SV in all weathers and this happened to me once over the winter even though I'd only gone through a shower, nothing compared to what the bike has seen (riding through foot deep floods ).

No turn-over for me either, but a quick trip to get a can of Wet-Start solved it for me. I guess any hardware/Halfords will stock it. I just sprayed it liberally on all connectors in and around the front of the engine and it started first time.

Maybe give it a try?

p.s. just checked my WD-40 can, does the same thing apparently

I ride my Sv650s 2000 model all year round and was in the rain just yesterday and incounted no problems. I gave her a nice wipe clean with a towel after getting her in to help prevent rust but never had that sort of problem. The only problem i have had with my sv is in the cold when i've left work about 1am ive warmed it up abit but it still wanted to cut out on idle.
Im now countering some clutch issues which i think is the cable.
Good luck, hope it gets sorted soon for ya m8

Sv-Owner im the same 2000 curvy never had any problems in the rain but some times as you say in the mornings despite warming her up she still tends to cut out when stopping at lights etc until about 10-15 mins driving

[Viney]

Okies Taipan

The Front cylinder on the Sv is prone to getting water logged. People who say its never happened to me either have a Fender extender fitted, or have silicone grease around the front HT lead, or they are just god damn lucky. Mine didnt do it for about 3 years and 30000 miles.

Two options you have for the sure is as above. A fender extender (Extended black plastic thing that attaches to your front mudggurad, or the silicone grease (Not sealent) thats available from the likes of Maplins etc.

AS for the starting thing, check the teminals on the battery are tight. Failing that sounds like you have a bad earth etc that will need looking at.

HTH

[northwind]

Get this:

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Search.aspx?...RE90X&DOY=19m9

The one in the tube, not the spray can... and smear it around the plug cap (the rubber seal at the cylinder head) or get a fenda extenda... Should stop it from happening again, this is a bit of a known SV weakness but it's easily fixed. Course, it might have been some other weak spot but the plug boot's a known offender.

[Taipan]

Thanks for all the replies. I've got some silicon grease and have smeared it over the front plug cap. It had never seen rain up there before and yet it looked like an MX track up there, so it may well have been the cause. But I did put the battery on charge and thought I'd check the earth lead whilst I was about it. It was loose. So that wont have helped.

[dyzio]

take a look here
Had a similar problem, started in Glasgow and stopped in Stirling with the 1st cylinder gone...
I've fitted an extenda doesn't llok too bad...
I went the same route last weekend, in light/medium rain, no missfires

How much and where do you buy these extended fenders (fender is an American word for mudguard) from?