Mrbones' SV650 - Take Two

[mrbones]

Ok, I found another one. I was missing that nimble and fast bike feel from my from previous SV of which was an '04. I sold it last May. I actually wasn't shopping for another one, but a Ninja 250, then a Ninja 500, then a VFR500. Every one I found was over priced. So I found a 2000 SV650 that was listed for $2000. I figured I would head on out and take a look.

The mileage was low. Only 3600 miles! It had been moved a few times, has some spot rust here and there, and just needed some TLC. It ran a little funny too even though I was told the carbs had been recently cleaned out. The idle was high and the choke was acting odd. So maybe something was missed on the rebuild.

Anyway, I took it for a short test ride and pulled hard, but had no engine breaking because carb problems. So I parked it, pointed out every possible thing wrong with before I made my offer. I offered up $1600 and was counter offered $1650. I took it and scrambled to get the cash and make a quick deal. The sellers phone kept wringing about the bike so I wanted to make a quick getaway.

I road it home with just the carb problem to deal with and make it without incident. I spent Sunday cleaning it up and it's turning out to be a real gem. I threw in some carb cleaner fuel additive in the gas tank before I went out yesterday for a 110 mile ride. Half the way through, the idle starting to rise. From 2,000 to 3,000. Then up to 4,500! It was getting hard to ride so I pulled over and took out the owner's manual to figure out how to adjust it. I lowered it down to spec, 1200-1400 and then the bike ran perfectly. All the problems were gone and it ran just like my old '04 fuel injected SV.

I like this bike much better than my '04. It looks better, the engine shakes a little more letting you know it's down there, the seat is more comfy, the brakes are less sensitive and more useful, the handles bars are a little higher, and the overall experience is just less sterile than the fuel injected version of the bike. I can definitely feel better about the price, too. There will be little depreciation on this baby. I'm looking forward to getting out on it again.

A few things I'll need to do. I'd like to get the front end powder coated in black. The clear coat on the forks is starting to come off. Maybe make the bars even higher, about 1". Get better grips and mirrors. And maybe even a Corbin seat, if I can find a good used one. A windshield and that's about it.

[mrbones]

Here's one with the Cortech bags. I'm glad I kept these! I polished the crap out of the muffler. When I first bought the bike it was all brown and copper colored.

[dt]

That's awesome!  

Looks like a great bike.

[bagobones]

Shit, I hope you rode it like you stole it, cuz you did. I like the red. If you ever happen across another deal like that on one of these bikes, buy it and I will buy it from you. That would be a good second bike to have in the stable.

[rKyDeX]

Nice grab!

[mrbones]

I rode it like I stole it yesterday. Did 185 miles. I got a new wind screen that I ordered on Sunday and got on Thursday. It's a National Cycle F15. Only $55 shipped! It was a display model found on ebay. It fits perfectly and after a few angle adjustments I got it dialed in. The wind comes off it and hits me just below the neck and my helmet gets clean and mostly quiet fresh air. It's wide enough to even keep some wind off the hands. It's perfect.

[mrbones]

I got the title today. Free and clear. Did I mention the title fees have more than doubled? It was $73.50 just for that.

[wilinfla]

Nice bike! My wife has a 2006 SV650, I love to ride when I get a chance. I don't get to ride it as much as I like though, my wife claims I ride it to hard. This is a photo of it with my 1976 GT500, I have since sold the GT though. I put the Gen Mar risers on the SV and it has a great riding position, very comfortable and easy on the back.

                                        Will

[mrbones]

That's cool photo. New and old. Even the same color!

I was looking at those risers. The 1st generation SVs regular bars are slightly higher than the 2nd gen, but I still want to raise them a little more. I've got some cheapo "Daytona" bars coming from JC Whitney. I hope they work out.

[wilinfla]

Thanks, I would say they made some improvements in 30 years! I also put a lowering link on it and had 1 inch of foam cut off the seat for her, she can flat foot it now. She actually rides it more than her Sportster, especially around town. I wouldn't mind looking for one myself next year, they are a blast to ride.

 
                                                                                   Will

[mrbones]

The bike at Dade Battlefield Historic State Park. I never did see the battlefield, didn't want to park and go hiking. All I saw was a small parking lot, but the gate is grand looking!

[mrbones]

When I hit the Florida National Cemetery.

[mrbones]

The Ozello Trail at the end.

[mrbones]

A swampy boat launch in Brookesville.

[mrbones]

Mufflerectomy.

Take a 1 3/4" bi-metal hole saw, one dremel with flexi-extension, and about 4 cutting wheels. Oh yeah, one 12" screwdriver so you can tape the flexi-extension to it and STICK IT inside the mufflers backside.

I cut the end weld with the hole saw, then STUCK IT all the way in and cut the pipe inside. Out comes the pipe with clean cuts. Taking this pipe out eliminates the last half of the muffler and converts it to just a chamber. This frees it up and makes it a little louder. I couldn't even hear this bike on the highway, nothing but wind. Now it sounds DEEP and THROATee. No need to spend pennies, quarters, not even dollars, or even hundreds on an aftermarket muffler.

[mrbones]

Here's it is after the cut. You can see it.

[mrbones]

Then I masked it up and painted it with 500 degree engine paint to prevent visible rust. Job done. On to the next one. 

[Mark32]

MrBones
 Here's my 01 TL1000S. Awesome bike.  Swapped a old truck  had a few years ago. Just turned 4K.  Even though i'm a inline 4 guy I really enjoy riding this bike.  Just got a Buell XB12R  (don't ask me why)

[mrbones]

The SV's are great bikes. I bet the 1000 gets up and goes!

[mrbones]

I added a few things to the bike over the last few months. Most recently are my mirror extenders. Now I can see the road behind me instead of my arms. Also put on a used Corbin seat of which is awesome. Also mounted the saddle bags under the seat. Added handle bar risers that are actually just old Honda clamps turned upside down and drilled out (with longer bolts.) And, put on Motogrip Deathgrips. They are gel with a skull pattern. See the pics below.

One thing I forgot to take a pic of is the new tail light. Since I mounted the bags further back, I had to take the stock turn signals off. I installed a combo LED rear brake light and is an all in one unit. The left or right side flashes in yellow for the turn signals. It's pretty cool and bright as hell.

[mrbones]

A few more pics.

[mrbones]

Here's the link to where I got the tail light. Blinky, blinky.

http://www.motodynamic.com/product_info.php?cPath=7_8_15&products_id=75

[dt]

Good deal on the led; it’s good they’re bright. Some of those aren’t bright enough imo. On our group ride a couple weeks ago, one of the bikes had dual led signals and you couldn’t really see them.

Nice job. What’s next or is it just time for miles?

[mrbones]

Just miles pretty much. I do want to get the forks powder coated gloss black. The clear coat is getting all messed up. But, I just down feel like messing with it right now.

[dt]

Just miles pretty much. I do want to get the forks powder coated gloss black.

Yup, that will look good imo. I painted the buckets on my CR250 gloss black and throught it looked great. Then I painted the buckets on my MT250 red and don't like it at all. Plan to do the XR500 in black some day. Gloss black looks good no matter what else is going on colorwise with a bike; powder coating always looks better. I also put Dunlop fork decals on the CR; not sure how that would go over on a street bike, but there's a ton of fork decal designs on eBay and elsewhere.

[maureen]

Very nice! The SV's are great bikes. I rode one up in NC on 28 and still grin thinking back to that day.

[gearhead400]

I like that ozello pic! I take my kayak out at that spot all the time. Great road for riding too!

[mrbones]

Well, I got to do some maintenance to this old bike. One problem, you can't use a typical motorcycle lift to jack it up because there is no under frame and the bottom of the engine is not flat. I'm not about to go out and buy front and/or rear stands so I have to be creative, MacGyver style.

Take a 2x6, some old L brackets, some old bolts, an old CX650C engine bolt, and spent about an hour and a half for building and fitting and you got yourself a "flat spot" to bolt to the bottom of your engine.

NOW, you can jack the damn bike up and actually work on it.

[dt]

Nice job with the stand. Just maintenance or did you do some other stuff?

[mrbones]

The stand is to take the wheels off and get new tires put on that I bought last year and have been in the shed ever since. I had the carbs apart today and it looks like I need two new float bowl gaskets. That said, I think I'll be riding the Sportster this weekend since the parts won't come in quick enough.

[bagobones]

You've got it all wrong, man. THIS is how you work on an SV650. Always let the calipers hang from the hoses.

[dt]

 Awwwwwesome

[mrbones]

Why didn't I think of that?