Carb issue
 

Riding my housemate's SV this week has shown me that my engine doesn't seem to be right with regards warming up.

When cold, the engine always requires at least a minute, usually two of choke before it will idle without stalling. It'll then idle at about 1krpm, fairly lumpily, until it's warmed up for a good 10 mins, after which it'll idle at 1300, no issues at all. Throughout the rest of the rev-range the bike is fine, and once riding above 3k or so, even when cold, the bike's got no problems at all.

Even when the bike's warmed up and idling properly, moving off from a standstill causes the engine to bog down noticeably more than my housemate's SV.

Possibility the idle-mixture is too lean?

Both bikes are curveys, both with slip-ons and standard filters (or pattern equivalents). Mine's got the tank-foam removed as it was getting sucked into the filter after tearing, but aside from that they're basicaly the same.

Re: Carb issue
 

I'd turn your idle up a touch, but its probably just that your carbs need balancing.
You might also have a stuck choke plunger.

Re: Carb issue
 

Maybe a blocked pilot jet if it's more happy on choke than off

Re: Carb issue
 

Idle is fine at 1300 once the bike is warm, if I turn it up to a point where the engine's happy it idles at 1600+ when warm. Carbs were balanced about 2 months back, choke cable replaced at the same time and plungers checked over then. It's needed the choke to start for as long as I've had it - never thought it that unusual until I used someone else's!

Re: Carb issue
 

Officially peed off with this now. Spent the last 4 hours swearing at various bits and bobs. Discovered that both carbs had massive air-leaks where they entered the engine, as the clamps were both slack. Took the carbs off to and thought I might as well clean the pilot jets at the same time. Could only get to one, as the previous owner of the bike has well and truly mangled the bottom screw on the rear float bowl...there's not really much left of it to do anything with.

Discovered that the front pilot jet was a bit gummed up. Cleaned it over so light shone nicely through it, reassembled the lot and figured I'd call it a day. Put everything back together, checked for air-leaks and readjusted the idle.

The bike's now knocking while under 1600rpm. Not sure exactly where it's coming from, but I'm just too tired and worn down to check. Thinking of giving up now and just handing it over to the local mechanic for a run through.