Hey guys, I'm having some trouble with my bike and I'm running out of ideas. I love this SV650, I'd consider buying another one as my next bike (maybe a newer, fuel injected model?), but shopping around, used vehicle pricing is bananas right now. I bought this bike many years ago for a little over $2k, and the only listing I see in my area for it is well over $3k right now.
Background:
I've been riding this bike commuting all year up until it would intermittently not start. Sometimes, it sounded like a weak battery where it might turn over once (very labored), then stop as if it there wasn't enough current to turn the motor. However, other times (maybe even later the same day), I would hit the starter and it would spin up full speed/power, with no battery charging in between. I tried jump starting from a jump pack and even replaced the battery, but didn't make a difference.
I put it into top gear and tried a push start, but as soon as I let go of the clutch, the rear tire stops as if it's locked up. The back tire does spin freely when in neutral (or if I pull the clutch lever).
The oil level has been meticulously maintained, and has never been overheated that I know of, and the coolant level was full to the top of the radiator.
Things I've Done:
I apologize if some of this doesn't follow a logical diagnosis path, sometimes it was easier to just swap a part or test something.
Replaced the starter relay and starter motor (I thought maybe there was a bad spot on the starter).
For a while, I thought the engine was flooded, as it appears to be a common issue with the float valves and vacuum petcock failing, so I replaced the float valves and purchased an aftermarket petcock (but never installed since it didn't fit).
Regardless, I'm not concerned with a flooded engine at the moment. I pulled the spark plugs and rotated the flywheel manually and it spun smoothly (although only in one direction, which I think is correct?). I even put a screwdriver into the spark plug hole to confirm the piston was moving up and down. Still, when I hit the starter, it doesn't even start to turn over.
I thought it could be electrical, as if there was a short between the grounded chassis and the wire between the starter relay and the starter motor, so I measured the resistance between that wire and ground, and it was open (I had to disconnect it from the starter motor since I believe the starter motor is almost a dead short since it draws so much current). I haven't verified that the starter motor spins outside of the engine yet, that's my next test.
While the starter motor was out, I stuck my finger in the hole to spin the gear and it did work as expected, as in, the one way bearing allowed the gear to spin freely in one direction, but not in the other.
Where I'm at...
So, right now, the spark plugs are still out, but when I hit the starter button, I get a solid click from the relay, I can measure that the relay has switched power on to the starter, and I can measure a fairly large voltage drop (from memory, it dropped down to 6V), as if there's a dead short. The engine doesn't even start or try to turn over.
I may have left out some tests that I've done, but if you have any suggestions, I would be all ears!
I appreciate any thoughts or help.
Ed
Background:
I've been riding this bike commuting all year up until it would intermittently not start. Sometimes, it sounded like a weak battery where it might turn over once (very labored), then stop as if it there wasn't enough current to turn the motor. However, other times (maybe even later the same day), I would hit the starter and it would spin up full speed/power, with no battery charging in between. I tried jump starting from a jump pack and even replaced the battery, but didn't make a difference.
I put it into top gear and tried a push start, but as soon as I let go of the clutch, the rear tire stops as if it's locked up. The back tire does spin freely when in neutral (or if I pull the clutch lever).
The oil level has been meticulously maintained, and has never been overheated that I know of, and the coolant level was full to the top of the radiator.
Things I've Done:
I apologize if some of this doesn't follow a logical diagnosis path, sometimes it was easier to just swap a part or test something.
Replaced the starter relay and starter motor (I thought maybe there was a bad spot on the starter).
For a while, I thought the engine was flooded, as it appears to be a common issue with the float valves and vacuum petcock failing, so I replaced the float valves and purchased an aftermarket petcock (but never installed since it didn't fit).
Regardless, I'm not concerned with a flooded engine at the moment. I pulled the spark plugs and rotated the flywheel manually and it spun smoothly (although only in one direction, which I think is correct?). I even put a screwdriver into the spark plug hole to confirm the piston was moving up and down. Still, when I hit the starter, it doesn't even start to turn over.
I thought it could be electrical, as if there was a short between the grounded chassis and the wire between the starter relay and the starter motor, so I measured the resistance between that wire and ground, and it was open (I had to disconnect it from the starter motor since I believe the starter motor is almost a dead short since it draws so much current). I haven't verified that the starter motor spins outside of the engine yet, that's my next test.
While the starter motor was out, I stuck my finger in the hole to spin the gear and it did work as expected, as in, the one way bearing allowed the gear to spin freely in one direction, but not in the other.
Where I'm at...
So, right now, the spark plugs are still out, but when I hit the starter button, I get a solid click from the relay, I can measure that the relay has switched power on to the starter, and I can measure a fairly large voltage drop (from memory, it dropped down to 6V), as if there's a dead short. The engine doesn't even start or try to turn over.
I may have left out some tests that I've done, but if you have any suggestions, I would be all ears!
I appreciate any thoughts or help.
Ed