Strange thing happened today.

[Bozzy]

Went out on the bike earlier today for circa 2.5 hours. Nearing the end of my ride after a long motorway run, my bike started running on 1 cylinder. I managed to limp it home after a few cut outs on the way. After leaving it a few mins at home, I started it again and it was still only running on 1 cylinder. I then decided to grab some lunch and have a look at trying to find the issue afterwards. After lunch I restarted the bike and everything was back to normal. I'm assuming I might have a loose ht lead or dodgy plug? Just wondering if anyone has suffered similar???

Bike is a 2004 SV650. It was bone dry outside, so not a soppy plug.

[doggone]

I'd expect it has two ignition coils and one of them is on the way out.
They can often behave pretty strangely before giving out completely.

[RhynoCZ]

What doggone says, faulty coil/s got hot and stopped working. If it really ran alright when cold, then it's time to change the coil/s.

Just a thought, does the charging system give you enough voltage?
____________________
'87 Honda XBR 500, '96 Kawasaki ZX7R P1, '90 Honda CB-1, '88 Kawasaki GPz550, MZ 150 ETZ
'95 Mercedes-Benz w202 C200 CGI, '98 Mercedes-Benz w210 E200 Kompressor

[Bozzy]

Thanks for confirming that guys.

[stinkwheel]

Check the front plug recess isn't full of crud, water and corrosion.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[nitrosurf]

Trawling the internet a lot reading about motorcycles leads to some things sticking around in my head; what Stinkwheel has said I've heard (or more appropriately read) from SV owners on quite a few occasions. Apparently it's a foible of the bike, but I imagine any bike with a similar engine layout and nothing to stop spray/road crud accumulating could suffer with the same thing.

[Holdawayt]

Just checking... you have fuel right?
It sounds almost like how a bike feels when it's starting to run out.

[331X2]

If you know what cylinder was dropping out, swap the coils over and see if the issue moves with it.

[RhynoCZ]

[Bozzy]

Thanks for the comments guys.

I don't think it will be a wet plug on the front cylinder as I have a fender extender and I rarely ride in the rain. That said, I'm going to check the drain hole to make sure it isn't blocked up and have a general look around the plug. I'll change the plugs if this is the case and may put new coils on irregardless as they aren't expensive or difficult to fit.

(Although I managed to turn fitting a hugger into a 3 hour job so anything could happen!)

Edit to add definitely not fuel. Got plenty of that left.

[Bozzy]

Just something I noticed reading my Haynes.

They recommend an NGK CR8E spark plug or, for "extended high speed riding" they recommend an NGK CR9E. I had been riding at high speed for well over an hour, just wondering if the issues I encountered were due to using the CR8E which is the hotter of the two plugs?

[Bozzy]

Bit of an update. New plugs arrived today along with a feeler guage I'd bought to check the gaps. I promptly whipped the old plugs out and discovered they were carbon fouled and one of the plugs has had water ingress judging by the corrosion on it. Anyway, new plugs in and everything is running tickety-boo. Looks like it's running rich so I'll need to check the air filter isn't blocked or in need of renewal. It wouldn't surprise me if it needs renewing..the bike was supposed to have a full service before delivery to me and I'm not so sure it has looking at the condition of the plugs (I've only done 700 miles since I bought the bike)

Image of the old plugs attached.

P.s thanks for your help guys much appreciated

[stinkwheel]

[Bozzy]