SV650 Problems

Heya folk

I've been having some problems with my bike, its a SV650s, X reg, not sure what year that is but the important thing is it has carberators rather than being fuel injected. The story goes like this....

I was having problems with the engine cutting out while it was cold. Not in the usual way, it was cutting out way after normally it would have been fine, the engine also didnt sound/feel right.

I took it to a mechanic, they changed the sparc plugs and cleaned the carberators. Gave it back to me, it was much better, but still not fine. I took it back again and the balanced the carberators, and I thought it was ok....

But actually it's not, sometimes the engine has not been responding properly / feeling lacking in power. Giving it a few revs has been helping and it would be ok again. I commute and have a set pattern of when I fill up with petrol, I usually have no problems with running out, today though I barely made it to the petrol station. When I left the petrol station it was immediately noticeable that the bikes power had 90% dissapeared. I *think* it's firing on only one cylinder, and definately sounds/is sick. I was riding low revs on he way there to conserve fuel so I might have not noticed it beginning to go, but I defintely noticed when I left.

Today was the first really wet day for me in a while, though I rode through some other good downpours with no ill effects, and to be honest it never did get back to 100% normal after it came back from the mechanics the second time.

So any advice is much appreciated. Im not a mechanic so bear that in mind! It'll be going back to the mechanic tomorrow but some advice on what the problem(s) could be would still be good!

Cheers folk

-Paul

[TSM]

Get a fender extender for the front wheel to stop water ingress on the front plug, shorting out and running on 1 cyln. Northwind recomends some non conductive grease from Maplins i think and just put it around the plug cap.

You could also have a look at the connectors going to the coils and check for corrosion, clean the contacts. Also check the wires that go under the front seat and between the frame. Older models have an issue where the loom rubs against the frame.

You would have to be realy far out on the ballance of the carbs for it not to run.

Is there a possibility of water ingress into the fuel tank?

To be honest it sounds to me like it's nothing more than carb icing and or damp front plug.

This year I have suffered from it quite badly. On Monday I started the bike to ride home after work and it would only fire on one cylinder. I waited for a while to see if the other would kick in, but nothing. I decided to ride home on the one cylinder and have a look when I got home.

I had gone about 5 miles and all of a sudden the rear cylinder sprang back into life. The bike was completly gutless up until this point. It is quite suprising how little power the bike has when it is only working on one cylinder.

You should be able to hear when it's only firing on one. At idle it will be a monotone thump thump thump.

When both are firing it's more of a stereo grumble.

Get a decent fuel additive. Silkolene pro Boost FSt or Wynn's Dry Fuel. It's cheap and won't cause any harm. Add some when you fill up and it should lessen the symptoms.
Is it a UK bike?
They came with quite ineffective carb heaters to try and solve the problem.

I agree with all the above for sorting out most of the normal winter running problems:

1; Decent fuel additive (cleaner & water dispersal, any fuel injection cleaner will do if only garages open)
2; Fenda extenda
3; Greasing round front plug area
4; Coil connectors & wiring harness

One quick check you can do is try gently & slowly pulling on choke either at idle or running, if bike suddenly starts pulling better then usually is fuel problem. If not better or just chokes up then look elsewhere.
Its just a different source of fuel for engine if carb/fuel problem.
Hope its sorted soon

Hey Skolem, any update on if this is sorted?