SV650.org - SV650 & Gladius 650 Forum - View Single Post - Bike not running.....not too obvious, opinions required please

02-06-08, 08:27 PM

OK, I was supposed to be at Cadwell today, but I didn't go, as I was suffering bike problems. The bike is pretty new to me, but so far I have had 100 trouble free miles.

Background: Since getting the bike (which came with 1 yrs MOT) I have done some home servicing, but nothing to do with electrics.

Bike last used: Saturday 24th May. Up to this point the bike had / was running fine. I went out for a quick hour. Rode with my headlight on. Came home, the trip was reading 101 miles.

So I came to start my bike yesterday, to ride over to meet my friend with trailer. The bike started, but died a shortly after. Tried again to start, but would die. I kept trying and trying, (not for too long) but the battery went flat.

I scrounged a drop of petrol from the neighbour, but it wouldn't bump start (do v-twins bump start?).

So I stuck it on the battery charger (not optimate), and left it. A few hours later, and 5 litres of petrol and it started. So I just thought it was very low on fuel, and I flattened the battery.

So tonight, I set off to get to the petrol station to fill her up, and she cuts out on me a couple of times, and I get no futher than 200 yrds up the road. Thankfully it was "up", so I rolled her home. Not before flattening the battery trying to start it. The batter only lasted for 2 mins of trying....if that.

So, I have brought it home, and put it on an Optimate 3 I bought ages ago, but never used. As I wonder what is wrong, I have come up with the following scenarios:

1) Reserve tank. Is there a reserve tank on the sv? I can't see a tap on my bike? Maybe there is one, but it has broken off, so I need more than 5 litres to get her going.

2) The battery is dead, beyond repair (hoping Optimate 3 will tell me if it's dead beyond repair).

3) Good old regulator / rectifier has bit the dust. Hence out with my headlight on, and there is not much power left. But there would be no power at all if this was the case I guess.

4) Blockage in the fuel line somewhere?

So, any suggestions? The Optimate is currently just "charging".

Thanks in advance, .org!

02-06-08, 08:27 PM	#1
Camel Guest Posts: n/a	Bike not running.....not too obvious, opinions required please OK, I was supposed to be at Cadwell today, but I didn't go, as I was suffering bike problems. The bike is pretty new to me, but so far I have had 100 trouble free miles. Background: Since getting the bike (which came with 1 yrs MOT) I have done some home servicing, but nothing to do with electrics. Bike last used: Saturday 24th May. Up to this point the bike had / was running fine. I went out for a quick hour. Rode with my headlight on. Came home, the trip was reading 101 miles. So I came to start my bike yesterday, to ride over to meet my friend with trailer. The bike started, but died a shortly after. Tried again to start, but would die. I kept trying and trying, (not for too long) but the battery went flat. I scrounged a drop of petrol from the neighbour, but it wouldn't bump start (do v-twins bump start?). So I stuck it on the battery charger (not optimate), and left it. A few hours later, and 5 litres of petrol and it started. So I just thought it was very low on fuel, and I flattened the battery. So tonight, I set off to get to the petrol station to fill her up, and she cuts out on me a couple of times, and I get no futher than 200 yrds up the road. Thankfully it was "up", so I rolled her home. Not before flattening the battery trying to start it. The batter only lasted for 2 mins of trying....if that. So, I have brought it home, and put it on an Optimate 3 I bought ages ago, but never used. As I wonder what is wrong, I have come up with the following scenarios: 1) Reserve tank. Is there a reserve tank on the sv? I can't see a tap on my bike? Maybe there is one, but it has broken off, so I need more than 5 litres to get her going. 2) The battery is dead, beyond repair (hoping Optimate 3 will tell me if it's dead beyond repair). 3) Good old regulator / rectifier has bit the dust. Hence out with my headlight on, and there is not much power left. But there would be no power at all if this was the case I guess. 4) Blockage in the fuel line somewhere? So, any suggestions? The Optimate is currently just "charging". Thanks in advance, .org!