Have I drowned my SV
 

Being a committed bike commuter, i took my SV to work on Friday. Normally its a nice run through the Peak District into Sheffield but due to heavy rains on friday it wasnt too much fun.

I got to Sheff OK, but the bike did seem to splutter. I guessed it was cos the front spark plug got damp and would dry out during the day. But when i rode home the bike just wouldnt run properly. It would stutter and only fire on one cylinder up until 5k rpm, then ok up to 8k rpm. It wouldnt even idle properly, and picking up revs from idle the engine would often cut out completely.

I've looked at some posts about front spark plug, so i have taken both plugs out and put new ones in, and used silicone grease all over the front spark plug cap. I quick test run tonight showed all my fettling has done no good at all.

Can somebody help with what the cause may be? I think i will take front spark plug out and give the hole in the cylinder a clean...what should i use to make sure all the crud is out and i get a good seal betwen plug and cylinder head.

Could the problem be something other than the spark plugs. I assume its the rain thats done it cos the bike was fine on thursday:(

Thanks
jim

Re: Have I drowned my SV
 

Had the same problem on my curvy. I checked the connectors to the coil ,one was a loose fit so I crimped it up. Then I unscrewed the plug cap off the HT lead and cut off a tiny amount of lead and re-threaded the cap. Smeared silicone grease around the seal there. Then I undid the connector into the Ignitor box under the rear seat and doused the box in WD40. Refitting it making sure the connector was in tight. First thing I noticed was the bike started better from cold. Haven't had a chance to ride it in the heavy rain yet to see if it has totally cured the problem.

You know there is a drain hole on the front cylinder? Worth poking a thin screwdriver up there then, with a thin nozzle, flushing out using WD40 or whatever. Not sure I'd want to take the plug out and then clean the tube. Debris would fall into the cylinder. Not good IMO.

Re: Have I drowned my SV
 

I had pretty much the same problem last week, turned out to be water in the fuel

Re: Have I drowned my SV
 

Ditto here. Was a tiny amount of water caught in the carb jets with mine. Local bike garage where I got the curvey drained the carbs (only took a min after they'd checked plugs etc) and twas fine after that.

Re: Have I drowned my SV
 

I had 325cc syndrome last Wednesday after getting a major soaking on the way home. Curiously it cleared up all by itself about 5 mins after the rain eased off.

No problem for the rest of the ride home.

The following morning still no problem from the engine, but the Speedo had gone loopy. At one point it read 176mph - i wish i had had a camera!

Loopy speedo syndrome lasted for the journey to work 35miles.

By the time i went home the problem had gone away!

Since then I have done well over 1000 miles (weekend in rainy France) with no problems in the pouring rain from either the motor or the speedo.

Me no understandy!

Re: Have I drowned my SV
 

Thanks guys.

Last night i drenched the front plug area with WD40, then pulled plug and cleaned everything up. Checked the connection at the end of the HT lead and tweaked the idle speed. And have ridden to work today...WOOHOO...just hope i can shrug off the rain this weekend to smother everything in silicone grease!

Now need to get a fender extender thingy.