It wouldn't start!

[debonair]

So it's been a couple of weeks since, because of the rain. It was cranking just fine, but it wouldn't start!

When I put it away for five weeks (vacation and such) I had the same problem, and jumped it from the car. Now I'm wondering if the battery is't taking charge. What else could it be?

[kevo]

If you're not riding it often, and the battery is old, it won't hold the charge. Or at least not enough to start the bike.

[assnelbo]

Originally posted by debonair
So it's been a couple of weeks since, because of the rain. It was cranking just fine, but it wouldn't start!

When I put it away for five weeks (vacation and such) I had the same problem, and jumped it from the car. Now I'm wondering if the battery is't taking charge. What else could it be?

Try bump starting it first..It might have enough juice to trun over and to fire, but not enough to turnt he motor over AND fire...

Check electrolyte levels in battery

check for corrosion on terminals

check the petcock - make sure you didn;t turn it to off for storage

it could be a million other things

[elskipador]

Originally posted by assnelbo
Check electrolyte levels in battery
the sv has a gel battery so you can't do anything about the electrolyte. the battery is sealed.

[assnelbo]

Originally posted by elskipador
the sv has a gel battery so you can't do anything about the electrolyte. the battery is sealed.

"So I see," said the blind man.

[hayabusafiend]

Assuming you pulled the choke lever to the full position (closest to you), and the bike would turn over, but not start, you likely have problems:
1) You let the battery discharge over time. Don't let lead-acid batteries completely discharge, as it dramatically shortens their lives.
2) Gasoline evaporates and turns to sticky, brown varnish as bikes sit for weeks at a time. This "fouls" the carb by clogging the small ports.

Two solutions:
1) Buy a Battery Tender Jr for $40. Remove the battery and put it on charge when you're not going to ride for a few weeks.
2) Grab a small glass, and find the carb float bowl drain plug. Use the small glass to catch the gasoline as you open the drain plug. You will likely get some flecks of trash and balls of varnish.

Please post details on whether you store your bike outside and if you keep it covered. Water has an ugly habit of causing corrosion.

[debonair]

It's outside, under a car port (not a garage, just a port). It's been about 2 weeks since my regular rides.

[hayabusafiend]

How often to you refill the gas tank?

[debonair]

about every 140 miles. why?

[debonair]

The bike only sat for about 2 weeks during the most recent rain session. I had the bike in storage for about 5 weeks in november there, I was going to leave it longer, but I missed it too much. I had disconnected the battery while leaving it, but it still wouldn't start then, so I jumped it, then it ran fine for a couple of weeks, but now that I've let it sit for awhile again, it's back to not starting. I think I might go with the tender thing first, otherwise just get a new battery. sound ok?

[hayabusafiend]

Originally posted by debonair
about every 140 miles. why?
Sorry for not being clear with my question.

How much time goes by between gas tank refills? If you say 8 weeks between refills, then your battery is likely dead (as you've already mentioned), your gas is stale, and gas varnish deposits are piling up in your carbs.

Putting the battery on a trickle charger only serves to keep it charged. Since the battery has been completely discharged several times, it may no longer hold a full charge.

You posted the bike cranks but doesn't start. Engines need air, fuel, and spark to run. I still believe your carbs are fouled. Follow my previous instructions (solution #2) and drain some fuel from the float bowls into a glass. Post the results.

[debonair]

Will do, thanks. Btw, I drive it often when i drive. ie. I feel up atleast once a week. Was just this rainy period, and during christmas since I went on a vacation to thailand for three weeks.

[debonair]

2) Grab a small glass, and find the carb float bowl drain plug. Use the small glass to catch the gasoline as you open the drain plug. You will likely get some flecks of trash and balls of varnish.


I hve trouble locating this even in the service manual. Does it require taking the tank off, and even the carb itself? Or is it accessible from the outside?

[hayabusafiend]

I work on bikes as a hobby and I haven't worked on an SV650 in over a year, so it's impossible for me to describe in text.

I checked the microfiche at RonAyers.com and found the carbs.

http://www.ronayers.com/fiche/300_0305/carburetor/carburetor.cfm

Find screw #32. It should be at the bottom of the float bowl and accessible from the side.

Draining the trash from the bottom of the float bowl might not solve your starting problem, but it's a good start, and a good skill to know for winter storage.

After draining some fuel from the floats, try to start the bike. If it doesn't start, and you know you've got good airflow and spark, then the pilot jets might be varnish fouled. Unfortunately, you have to remove the float bowl to access the pilot jet (item #23 on the microfiche link).

If you've never taken a carb apart, I recommend starting with a lawnmower and not your motorcycle.

[debonair]

After leaving it on the charger all saturday, it did start right up on Sunday. Will this cruft burn off by just running it?

I rode it for about 15 minutes, parked for 3.5 hours, then rode it back for 15 minutes. And had no problem then either. Will see tomorrow morning I guess.

thanks very much for the help so far. Do you still recommend me doing the float thing?

[hayabusafiend]

Use a high quality (ex: Chevron) 91 octane gas. The detergents in the gas will remove some of the varnish. If you ever have a problem with wide open throttle, drain the float bowls.

Trash goes to the bottom of the float bowls, and that's where the main jet picks up fuel. Trash and balls of gas varnish will clog the main jet and you'll have no power at full throttle.

[debonair]

thanks much :)