sv advice - well worth noting!!!

[Clanger]

Corrosion is This Suzuki’s Number One enemy

A number of realistic improvements, most of which we cover in our interview with Banditmania boss John Burton.
More power from the eight-valve engine and has fitted stage 2 cams, which is perhaps why spring and oil upgrades for the front forks should be taken further. He advocates a complete front end transplant using beefier forks with the whole plethora of adjustments but he does not name potential donors and we are keen to hear from anyone who has put the theory into practice.
Cold starting on cold mornings was one of the problems several owners highlighted when we profiled the stock SV. Karen Barrett, signing herself SV650S Nutter, sent us an email suggesting fairing lowers work wonders.
She said: “I am on my third SVS and it is perfect. I had a small problem starting my previous machines on cold or damp mornings. On this one I had lowers added to improve the appearance, but my bikes are always parked outside, never in a garage and this one starts first time, even in the middle of Winter on the coldest days when it has been left standing for a week. It seems the lower fairing helps by shielding the engine (and very exposed front cylinder in particular) from the wind and rain.”
Tom Dunn, says several owners have told him that the problem of carb icing was worse on parallel imports and exacerbated by after-market end cans, but regular readers will remember that Clanger (UBG March) told us that complaints that score saw Suzuki UK fit the Evil Raspberry with a bigger more efficient carb heater under warranty.
Clanger is also one of many readers who swear by the use of Dunlop 207/208 tyres and Goodridge braided hoses, while Tom says he felt he had more control over his 2000 SV650 after fitting Renthal MX bars.
Emailer ‘Tony’ warns that electrical problems ranging from an erratic rev counter to occasional misfire, dim lights and slow indicators, can all be traced to corrosion of the single earth cable running from the multiway connector under the left hand side of the fairing. His solution? “I bridged out the large connector with a second earth cable, using a spade connector and two short pieces of wire.”
Experts at Banditmania warn that wires from the regulator/rectifier are also prone to corrode and will cause mayhem if the problem goes undetected and treated.
Tony, and other owners, also stress that to be effective the sensor activating the carb heater must be placed away from where it will pick up heat from the motor. He says this thermostatic switch (a small black piece of plastic sprouting two yellow cables) often ends up tucked between the two cylinders and is therefore completely useless. He had his well exposed.
Moving the carb needles up a notch takes care of the lean running problem many owners have reported and accurate carb balancing is particularly important on these machines to keep the motors smooth and sweet.
Having mentioned corrosion of the electrical wiring, we should mention corrosion of everything else. Neil Trenfield suggests that the forks should be taken out and re-lacquered. The anti corrosion spray FS365 is a good investment, grease everything up even more in Winter and make sure you have a can of dampstart handy.
John Burton (pictured above) advises buyers of new as well as used machines to ensure the rear suspension linkages are properly greased. The slugs that hold the floating disc in place are another weak point for corrosion. Lubricating them is not an option as oil would be thrown onto the disc – the one place you don’t want it. Instead, regular turning will free up movement and prevent corrosion from taking a hold. Same applies to things, like the bolts on the fork bottoms and the rear chain adjusters. Keeping the gear linkage clean and well lubricated is also essential to avoid the kind of selection problems Mark Haycock details on page 40.
Several people called to direct us to the website www.sv650.org and we agree it is well worth a look.
____________________
Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss