Problem with my SV650sk1

My girlfriend found this site, and i thought that i would ask to see if any other SV owners had similar problems or any ideas on how to resolve my SV problem.

My SV650sk1 has had problems for over a year where water would get into the front plug and it would drop to 1 cylinder (not fun in the middle of winter on the M27) i took it to the dealer a few times and eventually was told that the drain hole on that model was too small and blocked up easily. I was shown how to unblock it and went on my way.

A little while later the Bike started doing it again (dropping to 1 cylinder) but when it wasn't raining. Been taking it back to the dealer for over a month and still no joy. It doesn't do it when they ride it, but i think this is because they don't test ride in the mornings and they keep it inside overnight. I think that some part of it is getting condensation on it and causing this to happen. I was told by them that it could be carb icing but as it hasn't dropped below zero and i have ridden through 2 previous winters without any carb icing i doubt this is the case. I 've tried all sorts of things to try and get it sorted, even phoned Suzuki direct (they were as helpful as a chocolate fireguard though).

It's annoying as it seems like my SV is a bit of a white elephant, costs me money and doesn't work.

Any ideas

[BillyC]

do a search on "front cylinder" and have a look through the previous threads...

the accepted fix for this is to fit a fender extender... this stops the water spraying into the front cylinder head and spark plug.

also... drench the spark area in WD40!

I agree with BillyC - fit a fender extender and protect with WD-40.
I would also recommend changing both plugs - the front one probably has water damage which you could clean up and refit - but they're cheap enough to just replace. Check the HT lead is not damaged and correctly fitted - it's arrow/triangle mark should point to the exhaust and it should be seated firmly on top of the plug, sealing it in the hole - I also put a little bit of vaseline around the seal. If you have any dounts about the HT lead then replace. I'll be replacing mine at the 4year service regardless
Carb Icing will probably affect both cylinders.

Who's your dealer and is it a UK-spec bike ?

Good Luck getting this resolved

sounds like what happens to my friends bike is it just the front cylinder or does it ever justy cut out all together ie both cylinders?

The best solution has been found by Rictus, which is getting a slightly larger rubber boot on the plug, I think he' uses one from a CB750. I've also heard that it's the rubber boot not making a proper seal as it's incorrectly fitted. I've ridden in torrential rain and never had the slightest problem (though I do suffer badly from carb icing though!).


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The front plug it vulnerable, all the above advice is good. I have a fenda extenda. It stopped the bike going down to one pot in the wet.

Carb icing can occur only in cool, humid weather i.e. when the ambient temperature is roughly in the range -5 to +12°C and the relative humidity is above about 80% ie it doesn't have to be below freezing.

My bike suffers badly, I add Silkolene Pro FST which seems to cure it (I'm not on commission, honest )

If the bike didn't suffer before, you may want to get the carb heaters checked (assuming the bike is UK spec) and try repositioning the thermal sensor away from the warm engine and into the air flow.

Good luck!

Originally Posted by svpilot

My bike suffers badly, I add Silkolene Pro FST which seems to cure it (I'm not on commission, honest )

Keep meaning to give this a try, will pop down to Halfords this week I think.


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Thanks for the advice all. I was surprised people replied that quick!

To answer a few questions, It's a UK spec bike, I'll look into getting some of that fuel additive and a fender extender, although i fitted a deflector below the radiator a year ago (does quite a good job, but when riding through all the spray on the motorway i may as well have fitted a cocktail umbrella). Used WD40 liberally but that doesn't seem to do the trick anymore. It tends to get really jerky then drop to 1 cylinder at low revs whilst going along (30-40mph) and if i let the clutch out it dies totally.
It's a UK spec bike, I'm taking it back to Rob Willsher's in Southampton tomorrow to see what they can do about it.

I'll keep you all posted, cheers for the advice.

hey, this sounds like a bodge fix but bare with me!

Gain access to the front spark plug connector, then wrap some ptfe tape around the edge of the sealing ring! it doesnt melt and keeps the water out, and as it is tucked behind tha rad, the fact it is white doesnt matter,
so far this has kept me plug clean!

Hope this helps

Alex