Trouble starting - is this a "stock fault"? - SV650.org

19-12-06, 11:44 AM

Hi all,

I've had my 01 curvy SV650 for a few years now and I use it most days to get to work. Usually it runs fine except for when I get really wet and then it starts missing on one cylinder. I can put up with this.
However if I leave the bike for any more than a couple of days then it is a real pain to start.
The following happens.....
Turn bike over and if it fires up quickly then it is good to go.
However if it doesn't fire up quickly then after it has been turned over a few times by the batery the battery dies and needs charging.
I charge the battery for 20mins and it will start perfectly.
This is really annoying because every Monday morning I can guarantee it won't work because I don't use the bike at the weekend.
Nothing is draining the battery - lights are off, heated grips are off. It just seems like the battery isn't strong enough (if that makes sense). The battery is only 2 years old. My last car battery lasted my 6 years! Am I asking too much of the battery? If so where can I get a cheap one?
As for the missing cylinder, are there any quick fixes? I changed the spark plugs and sprayed WD40 everywhere but it doesn't seem to make any difference.
Beginning to thing that I should have kept my trusty 1.2, fuel injected, 8valve, Fiat Punto with its cloth upholstry and 80bhp

!

Out.
Chris

Luckypants · 19-12-06, 11:51 AM

The front cylinder cutting out in the wet is well known issue, when it is wet the front wheel sprays water onto the spark plug. Fitting a Fenda-exteda will stop this. Also make sure the little drain hole near the spark plug is clear to allow water to drain away. Do a search and you will find loads of info on this 'feature'!

Duff starting is not connected to the above.

Viney · 19-12-06, 11:51 AM

A couple of things.

Look at getting a trickle charger.
Look at getting a new battery.

Each battery is different. One may last years, another not nearly as long.

Do you ride the bike Every day? Is the bike well maintained?

My bike has been a bit troublesome starting over the past ocuple of days, but i put it down to being damp.

As for the front cylinder problem, get yourself a Fender Extender. Job done

19-12-06, 11:53 AM

Thats great guys, really helpfull.
Where can I get a fender extender from?

Luckypants · 19-12-06, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thornton_chris

Nothing is draining the battery - lights are off, heated grips are off. It just seems like the battery isn't strong enough (if that makes sense).

Have you actually checked that nothing is draining the battery, using a meter? You might have a short that is causing the battery to drain.
Have you checked that the charging circuit on the bike is working 100% and so charging the battery while riding?
Do you ride the bike short distances with lights on? This might not give the battery time to recover from each start.

19-12-06, 12:04 PM

I always ride with my lights on. Journey to work is 10miles which takes about 15mins.
I haven't checked to see if there is any load on the battery.
Is 15mins enough to charge the batt?

Biker Biggles · 19-12-06, 12:16 PM

Optimate charger keeps your battery in top condition.Worth checking the bike's charging system too,but you need a multitester for that.As well as the fender extender,a bit of waterproof silicone grease over the front plug hole bung keeps any water out.

19-12-06, 12:20 PM

i would not get a "cheap battery" buy cheap.................buy twice

19-12-06, 12:21 PM

As the others have said, get a fender extender and an optimate. Mine came with a small length of cable which fits onto the battery terminals, and the connector slightly protrudes below one of the side panels, so it's dead simple to use - no taking the seat off or anything - just plug it in if I'm not going to be using the bike for any length of time.

It sounds like you battery has pretty much gone - bike batteries are quite small and don't last forever. Although they appear to be holding a charge (eg headlights bright) they're pretty useless at providing enough power to turn a starter motor for more than a few seconds. The cold weather really knackers 'old' batteries. Assuming that there is no problem with charging the battery (ie alternator), I'd be strongly tempted to get a new one, before it does some damage to the starter motor

cheers

19-12-06, 12:34 PM

Thats great info, thanks.
I've just looked on the M&P website for a battery and they start at £35.99! what a ripp off.

19-12-06, 11:44 AM	#1
thornton_chris Guest Posts: n/a	Trouble starting - is this a "stock fault"? Hi all, I've had my 01 curvy SV650 for a few years now and I use it most days to get to work. Usually it runs fine except for when I get really wet and then it starts missing on one cylinder. I can put up with this. However if I leave the bike for any more than a couple of days then it is a real pain to start. The following happens..... Turn bike over and if it fires up quickly then it is good to go. However if it doesn't fire up quickly then after it has been turned over a few times by the batery the battery dies and needs charging. I charge the battery for 20mins and it will start perfectly. This is really annoying because every Monday morning I can guarantee it won't work because I don't use the bike at the weekend. Nothing is draining the battery - lights are off, heated grips are off. It just seems like the battery isn't strong enough (if that makes sense). The battery is only 2 years old. My last car battery lasted my 6 years! Am I asking too much of the battery? If so where can I get a cheap one? As for the missing cylinder, are there any quick fixes? I changed the spark plugs and sprayed WD40 everywhere but it doesn't seem to make any difference. Beginning to thing that I should have kept my trusty 1.2, fuel injected, 8valve, Fiat Punto with its cloth upholstry and 80bhp ! Out. Chris

19-12-06, 11:51 AM	#2
Luckypants Moderator Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Nr Ruthin Posts: 7,079	The front cylinder cutting out in the wet is well known issue, when it is wet the front wheel sprays water onto the spark plug. Fitting a Fenda-exteda will stop this. Also make sure the little drain hole near the spark plug is clear to allow water to drain away. Do a search and you will find loads of info on this 'feature'! Duff starting is not connected to the above. __________________ "Your Viffer sounds like it is raising hell! Spot on." - Witchery 17/4/08 Snow Plough Appreciation Society - Member #3

19-12-06, 12:16 PM	#7
Biker Biggles Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Barnet Herts Posts: 5,071	Optimate charger keeps your battery in top condition.Worth checking the bike's charging system too,but you need a multitester for that.As well as the fender extender,a bit of waterproof silicone grease over the front plug hole bung keeps any water out. __________________ On a clear day we stand there and look further than the ordinary eye can see.

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19-12-06, 11:51 AM	#3
Viney Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: In the shadows to the left Posts: 7,700	A couple of things. Look at getting a trickle charger. Look at getting a new battery. Each battery is different. One may last years, another not nearly as long. Do you ride the bike Every day? Is the bike well maintained? My bike has been a bit troublesome starting over the past ocuple of days, but i put it down to being damp. As for the front cylinder problem, get yourself a Fender Extender. Job done

19-12-06, 11:53 AM	#4
thornton_chris Guest Posts: n/a	Thats great guys, really helpfull. Where can I get a fender extender from?

19-12-06, 12:04 PM	#6
thornton_chris Guest Posts: n/a	I always ride with my lights on. Journey to work is 10miles which takes about 15mins. I haven't checked to see if there is any load on the battery. Is 15mins enough to charge the batt?

19-12-06, 12:20 PM	#8
hovis Guest Posts: n/a	i would not get a "cheap battery" buy cheap.................buy twice

19-12-06, 12:21 PM	#9
Mr Toad Guest Posts: n/a	As the others have said, get a fender extender and an optimate. Mine came with a small length of cable which fits onto the battery terminals, and the connector slightly protrudes below one of the side panels, so it's dead simple to use - no taking the seat off or anything - just plug it in if I'm not going to be using the bike for any length of time. It sounds like you battery has pretty much gone - bike batteries are quite small and don't last forever. Although they appear to be holding a charge (eg headlights bright) they're pretty useless at providing enough power to turn a starter motor for more than a few seconds. The cold weather really knackers 'old' batteries. Assuming that there is no problem with charging the battery (ie alternator), I'd be strongly tempted to get a new one, before it does some damage to the starter motor cheers

19-12-06, 12:34 PM	#10
thornton_chris Guest Posts: n/a	Thats great info, thanks. I've just looked on the M&P website for a battery and they start at £35.99! what a ripp off.