SV650S - engine sounded like it seized!

Hey folks,

Don't really post up on here much, but if you can spare a few minutes, it would be appreciated.

So, was riding my SV yesterday. Did a 4 mile jaunt into town, went and had a wander round, came back, bike started fine, and rode off.
Got about a mile away, and pulled up to stop at a pedestrian crossing, and the bike cut out.

Tried to start it back up, but nothing.
Almost sounded as if it had siezed! Engine tried to turn over, and just stopped.

After a bit of a frantic call to the AA, and waiting for about 30mins, the bike decided to fire up fine again, and I was actually able to ride the few miles back home, albeit very gingerly.

I checked the oil level, and all seemed fine, and I have checked it again this morning, and it's about halfway.

Any ideas?!?

Thanks,

Johnathan

What bike is it? Pointy/curvy?

For the bike to cut out & then refuse to start, later starting, I'd be looking for a fuelling issue.

Curvy.

Well, I took the bike out again today, and all was fine.
Couple of small splutters when blipping the throttle on idle, but nothing major.

It did go in on the dyno the other week to have the carbs jetted to suit the end can (Standard filter).
Mixture screws were fubar though, so it's running slightly rich at present, and I was warned of the ever so slight hesitation on tickover, but it's not something to cause concern.

Just odd, because I would've though if it'd been a fuelling issue, the engine would still try and turn over.
In my instance, it didn't even do that. Maybe once, and then it wouldn't do anymore.

Oh. The hesitation sounds like the cylinders need ballancing...

Did it make strange clicking sounds, or?

Originally Posted by Gnome

Just odd, because I would've though if it'd been a fuelling issue, the engine would still try and turn over.
In my instance, it didn't even do that. Maybe once, and then it wouldn't do anymore.

Ah, I read the OP wrongly then. I thought it attempted to start but wouldn't catch.

It's an electrical issue then. Possibly a sticky start motor, but that doesn't explain the cutting out. As it's a curvy you don't have to worry about battery level/charging state to keep the engine running.

If I were you, I'd not worry about it much, but keep tools with you (I keep a pretty handy toolkit under the pillion seat for times just like this). If it happens again, whip out the plugs (front ideally first) & hold it to the frame whilst attempting to start. Should be a nice big spark, if not, you've just confirmed an intermittent electrical issue.

If you have the time to play/fiddle, check the HT leads for breaking down, but if it's running right, there isn't much you can do to find the fault.

[TSM]

clean the brushes and gaps between the contacts in the starter motor and see if they are below limit, you will need to take the starter off the bike, it can make starting hard and somtimes it will not turn over at all unless you bump the bike a little in gear so the starter is moved around a little

Problem solved hopefully!

Dirt in the carbs dislodged from when they were fettled with.

Causing Hydraulic lock, so the cylinders couldn't compress the fuel!

All fan-dabbie-dozie again now though.

Thanks!

[yorkie_chris]

Bent rods then? [/optimism mode]

Where's the fuel gone? Won't do it much good if it's all in the oil...

[rictus01]

Hang on a bit of Cr@p from the carb caused complete hydraulic lock..........

You sure.................

Cheers Mark.

[yorkie_chris]

It would need some crap in the vacuum tap also, since there's no prime position to forget about. Unless the diaphragm in the tap split.