2001 SV Idle Speed

Hi everybody this is my first post although I have been watching the forum for some time now.

My SV650 arrived last night 2001 half faired, beast! Took it for a proper run today and discovered that it idles at around 2500rpm. I think it should be around 1200rpm? The previous owner had just put on a scorpion can before I bought the bike, should he have adjusted the idle speed for this?

Any help greatly appreciated.

Love the site, keep up the good work.

[dyzio]

Hi and welcome!
I find (and most people here) idle should be around 1k5rpm, and a bit lower once it gets warmer.
Try searching, you'll find plenty info on this

Welcome.

Yep 1500 is more like it.

First is the choke stuck on (or have you turned it off ).

Secondly there is an idle adjuster on the LHS of the bike. You can see it between two of the frame tubes (a twiddly knob) ... its a bit of a faff getting your fingers in*, but twiddle it!!

*Possible to use a 'driver

Cheers man, got to start with the obvious questions before I get into the big problems.

[Viney]

Originally Posted by Blue_SV650S

Welcome.

Yep 1500 is more like it.

First is the choke stuck on (or have you turned it off ).

Secondly there is an idle adjuster on the LHS of the bike. You can see it between two of the frame tubes (a twiddly knob) ... its a bit of a faff getting your fingers in*, but twiddle it!!

*Possible to use a 'driver

You do know that you can pull it out of its holder, thus making it easier to move?

Yea just done that.

Adjusted the idle speed so when I start her up I get 1500rpm but when I give it a few revs it doesn't return to 1500 it stays at 2500. Is this normal I took it for a quick blast to make sure it was hot.

Originally Posted by Jamie_SV

Yea just done that.

Adjusted the idle speed so when I start her up I get 1500rpm but when I give it a few revs it doesn't return to 1500 it stays at 2500. Is this normal I took it for a quick blast to make sure it was hot.

No, it is not normal. Take the tank off/lift it up, take the top of the airbox off. You can then see the 'butterfly' valves in the carbs, twiddle the throttle and see if they seem to be sticking on the way back. There should be no discernable gap when the throttle is off .... if there is you have a sticky throttle cable ...

Ok thanks will go for a look, will let you know how i get on.

[jambo]

ALways adjust the idle speed when the engine is hot, it'll never be right else....

Also if, with the engine off, you open the throttle all the way and let go does is snap shut cleanly, or does it stick / crawl back? If it doesn't snap back straight away you usually find that your throlle cables are too tight, there's no lube in them, or the twist grip's sticking on the bar end

Best of luck!

Jambo

Ok been out in the freezing cold between showers and lifted the fuel tank, removed the air filter to expose the butterfly valves. Worked the throttle and watched the valves, they open and close smoothly without sticking also the throttle does not stick or crawl back but snaps shut straight away.

It idles steady but sometimes increases the revs all by itself without any outside interference? I have made sure the choke is closed.

Could this be caused by dirty carbs or something similar?