SV 650 K5 won't tick over

Bike was laid up due to November snow in 2010. Did not start it until mid January 2011. Starts fine dies when temp reaches about 21°C (cold start comes off).

Initial suggestion by a dealer was the battery was not capable of supplying voltage to fuel pump (battery is original i.e. 5½ years old). Got a new sealed battery activated and fitted same symptoms starts OK won't tick over. Engine dies below 1500 RPM. Bike was taken out a few times and runs OK ish but splutters a bit at odd times much better when hot.

2nd suggestion was plugs could be on their way out. Changed the plugs 3 days ago starts OK but idle is still a problem if lowered below 2,000 the engine starts to die. Currently riding it with an idle rate of 2,500 seems OK. I am beginning to wonder if the problem may be old petrol as the tank was nearly full before I stopped using the bike and was running perfectly then. Any ideas anyone.

Regards GHOST123

Hi, I had the same problem. Once I put a few litres of fresh petrol it was ok. the idling sorted itself out after a good run.
My battery was also struggling to start the bikeeven though its on an Optimate. I put it down to the intense cold after toying with the idea that the battery was u.s. I warmed the battery up for an hour with a hair drier then tried again, woho! no bother. Back to normal. cheers Keith

[andrewsmith]

off fuel sounds the culprit drain it and use some fresh
A 5 year old battery won't be helping the cause.

Originally Posted by keith h

Hi, I had the same problem. Once I put a few litres of fresh petrol it was ok. the idling sorted itself out after a good run.
My battery was also struggling to start the bikeeven though its on an Optimate. I put it down to the intense cold after toying with the idea that the battery was u.s. I warmed the battery up for an hour with a hair drier then tried again, woho! no bother. Back to normal. cheers Keith

Thanks Keith will run out the old stuff as I have nowhere to dump it. I did change the battery but then found the old one was still OK. Ho hum never mind got a spare that I can use if the newie fails. Will bear in mind the hair drier warm up if the problem repeats next winter.

Cheers GHOST 123

Originally Posted by andrewsmith

off fuel sounds the culprit drain it and use some fresh
A 5 year old battery won't be helping the cause.

Thanks Andrew, nowhere to dump the old fuel, will run it out, the bike is getting a bit better as the days progress. Looking forward to getting new petrol and hopefully my bike back to normal. The old battery is still giving out a good charge and voltage so will keep it as a stand by in case the newie goes phutt next winter.

Cheers GHOST123