Bike won't start

Hello,

Apologies to start with, as it always seems a bit cheeky to make your first post on a forum a begging post for help, but here goes...

Got a SV650s ('99) which just won't start. I bought it from a (reputable) friend, but it clearly doesn't like being at my house as it's not worked since!

Have changed the battery (the bike had the same one since new, so seemed a fairly sensible place to start. Having charged the old one a couple of times it didn't seem to hold it's charge) but still no joy with the new one either.

All the ignition lights come on when I turn the ignition, so there must be some charge getting to it, and it coughs and splutters but doesn't catch. I can see wisps of fumes spluttering out of the exhaust but nothing more.

I've got the Haynes manual, but to be honest, I'm not particularly mechanically minded so don't want to start taking it to pieces and not be able to put it back together again!

I wondered if it's a particularly common thing/easily fixed.

If anyone could help, I'd be extremely grateful.

Did you charge the new battery?

[Sid Squid]

If it's turning over quickly then the battery isn't likely to be the problem, as you've tried many times to get it going but haven't succeeded, there is a good chance the cylinders are now wet with unburned fuel - what's commonly referred to as 'fllooded' - first ensure the battery still has plenty of life in it, then try to start the engine with no choke and the throttle held wide open, if the trouble is simply your earlier failed starting attempts this should clear the cylinders and allow the motor to fire, as soon as it does fire, (if it does!), then bring the throttle back steadily and you'll probably need a bit of choke briefly to allow an even tick-over.
Failing that, remove the plugs, clean and re-gap, and try again.

If you get no positive result then a bit more info would be useful before any more useful suggestions can be made - has the bike been unused any amount of time? Did it run OK prior to this trouble? Has it historically been an awkward starter?

Yep, managed that.

In reply to beabert

Will give that a go, Sid, cheers. Bike's never been a problem for my mate, but it has been stood for a while since I've had it, and not garaged, which I appreciate can't have helped.

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by Danger Mouse

but it has been stood for a while since

Roughly how long ? I've had similar non starting problems when I've left a bike for a long time and not started it.

Unleaded fuel doesnt store well and it "goes off", I found draining the old fuel out and filling it with fresh would normally resolve my starting problems after the bike had been stood for ages.

Around 3 months now

Could it be carb freezing? cylinders not firing? have you tried bumping it?

Could it be the choke plungers stuck?

Originally Posted by petevtwin650

Could it be the choke plungers stuck?

this was the case I believe for my TZR125 when I had it, it was stuck out not covered for 2-3yrs and I took the carbs out played with the needle and hey presto it worked again.

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by Danger Mouse

Around 3 months now

In that case I'd definately try a fresh tank of fuel before you start down the road of looking anything more complicated. Especially as you say there was no problem with the bike before you took ownership of it.